REQUIRED COURSES BY SEMESTER

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• Semester I
• Semester II
• Semester III
• Semester IV
• Semester V
• Electives

Semester I

Anatomy In this semester long-course, students are introduced to the major anatomical systems of the human body and given the opportunity to understand the complexity of integrating these multiple structures into a functioning unit. Each system is considered from the perspective of embryology, gross anatomy and histology. Through a combination of lectures and laboratory exercises, students will learn how current hypotheses and understanding of structure and function are based in our classical understanding of the human body before and after birth.

Case Conference (semesters I, II, IV, V) This weekly class is attended by all first and second year students and supports the development of clinical genetic counseling skills through case presentations and discussions of case management. Discussion of specific student cases (both typical and atypical) between students and faculty is used to support the development of skills in communication, critical thinking, interpersonal communication, and psychosocial counseling.

Gene Structure and Regulation Gene Structure and Regulation lectures on the structure and function of genetic elements with special emphasis on the structure of the eukaryotic gene; mRNA processing; splicing mutations; evolution of introns; gene transfer; viral-host interactions; regulation of RNA and DNA viruses; transcriptional regulation of yeast and mammalian genes; tissue-specific enhancers; mechanisms of hormone action; oncogenes.

Genetic Counseling Seminar I. Clinical Skills A seminar for first year genetic counseling students that introduces them to the basic clinical tools employed in a general genetics setting including: case preparation; patient telephone intake; obtaining family, pregnancy, health, and developmental histories; communicating inheritance patterns; team approaches to service delivery; medical documentation; laboratory services; community resources; genetic support groups and risk management. This material is taught through both lectures and interactive class activities that consider these topics within the context of the professional setting.

Reproductive Genetics This course provides an understanding of reproductive genetics and the skills necessary for case preparation and management. All aspects of reproductive genetic counseling are covered including prenatal testing, maternal screening, teratogen exposures, ultrasound evaluation, carrier testing, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy termination. Case preparation for cytogenetic, biochemical and molecular indications is emphasized.

Research Skills for Genetic Counselors (semesters I and II) This year long course provides students with an overview of the research process and emphasize fundamental skills needed in both quantitative and qualitative research. The material considered in this class will enable students to understand and evaluate critical elements in the practice of research and to develop skills in hypothesis generation, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation.

Student Seminars (semesters I, II, IV and V) This course is designed to increase student knowledge in current topics in genetics-related research. Small groups of student presenters and a faculty mentor select a broad topic in human genetics, review the current literature and design and present a seminar series that evaluates current knowledge in this area from multiple research perspectives. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in critical analysis, group discussion and public speaking. In the first semester, students observe.

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Semester II

Applied Clinical Genetics This half-semester course focuses on risk assessment and factors to consider when ordering a genetic test. Topics to be covered include pedigree analysis, Bayesian analysis, overview of genetic testing/cytogenetic methodologies, practice guidelines for different genetic tests and insurance coverage. Predictive genetic testing and ethical issues raised by genetic testing will also be discussed. Actual cases will be used in this course and students will also be encouraged to include some of their own clinical cases for discussion.

Cancer Genetics This half semester course provides an introduction to the cancer genetics specialty. Covered topics include the biology of cancer, inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, inherited breast/ovarian cancer syndromes, rare inherited cancer syndromes, genetic counseling for cancer risk, and genetic testing for cancer syndromes. Students learn and practice the use of risk assessment models.

Case Conference (semesters I, II, IV, V) See semester I for description.

Genetic Counseling Seminar II. Placing the Client Front and Center A seminar for first year genetic counseling students. The first hour is an interactive session in which students discuss and present their assignments from the previous week. The second hour is a didactic session on the application of genetic counseling skills to specific case circumstances. Material from videotapes, cases students are currently seeing and role plays are used as illustrations of the application of interviewing skills, empathy, active listening, identifying the client’s reality, managing awkward moments, and using the supervision relationship. Each student will conduct one seminar on a topic they select in consultation with the course instructor.

Interdisciplinary Care This half-semester seminar provides an orientation to the interdisciplinary care that is typically required by patients seen in a general genetics clinic. The seminar follows a discussion format with assigned reading, invited speakers, a tour of hospital units. Topics covered include cardiac evaluation, audiological assessment, psychological testing, routine obstetrical case management, and the pediatric ICU.

Medical Embryology This course provides a working structural knowledge of how the normal human body develops from the fertilized egg. The fundamental mechanisms underlying normal developmental processes and the basic principles underlying abnormal development are covered. The nature of mechanisms that result in specific congenital malformations are addressed.

Genetics Short Course - Special Topics in Genetics Short courses in areas of genetics of particular interest, for which the instructors are recruited from other universities. Counseling students will register for this course during two of their four academic semesters.

Interdisciplinary Care This half-semester seminar provides an orientation to the interdisciplinary care that is typically required by patients seen in a general genetics clinic. The seminar follows a discussion format with assigned reading, invited speakers, a tour of hospital units. Topics covered include cardiac evaluation, audiological assessment, psychological testing, routine obstetrical case management, and the pediatric ICU.

Medical Embryology This course provides a working structural knowledge of how the normal human body develops from the fertilized egg. The fundamental mechanisms underlying normal developmental processes and the basic principles underlying abnormal development are covered. The nature of mechanisms that result in specific congenital malformations are addressed.

Molecular, Cellular & Population Genetics Topics include: RFLP's as genetic markers in diagnosis; molecular defects in metabolic conditions, hemoglobinopathies, hypercholesterolemia, inherited disorders of collagen, mitochondrial disorders, triplet repeat mutations in human disease; cystic fibrosis; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; X-chromosome inactivation; cytogenetics; cancer cytogenetics; imprinting; gene mapping by somatic cell genetics and linkage analysis in pedigrees; applications of pulsed field gel electrophoresis; positional cloning as applied to disease gene identification; and segregation and linkage analysis.

Research Skills for Genetic Counselors (semesters I and II) See semester I for description.

Student Seminars (semesters I, II, IV and V) See semester I for description. In the second semester, students present a seminar.

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Semester III

No coursework. Full time clinical rotations.

Semester IV

Case Conference (semesters I, II, IV, V) See semester I for description.

Death and Bereavement This course examines philosophical, cultural, and religious views pertaining to death and loss. Cultural and age variations in preparing and responding to death and dying are also explored. The course also examines cognitive and emotional reactions to death and dying by individual family members, and gives special attention to adaptations presented by caretakers.

Genetic Counseling Seminar III. Advanced Counseling Skills This seminar focuses on the psychotherapeutic aspect of genetic counseling by exploring theories of short-term, relationship-based, client-centered and family system counseling. Students are videotaped working with an actress to receive feedback on their counseling techniques.

Medical Genetics (semesters IV and V) This year long course covers the basic principles of medical genetics and their application to clinical medicine. Topics include a broad spectrum of genetic conditions ranging from chromosome disorders and monogenic disorders to complex genetic conditions that illustrate principles of medical genetics.

Student Seminars (semesters I, II, IV and V) See semester I for description. In the fourth semester, students present a seminar.

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Semester V

Case Conference (semesters I, II, IV, V) See semester I for description

Genetic Counseling Seminar IV. Professional Development A seminar for second year genetic counseling students that considers professional development and expanding roles for genetics and genetic counselors - including academic, research and industry applications along with specialty and multi-disciplinary clinics. Students will look at the impact of scientific discovery, legislative action and public opinion. Emphasis is placed on legal, social and ethical issues in genetic service delivery. Discussions will be based on current events and individual cases.

Medical Genetics (semesters IV and V) See semester IV for description

Student Seminars (semesters I, II, IV and V) See semester I for description. In the fifth semester, students observe.

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Electives

In addition to the core courses, in 3 out or 4 academic semesters students take one to two elective courses in other departments and schools within the University.  Electives  are chosen based on the individual interests of the student and are important in allowing our trainees to work with students and faculty with a broad range of perspectives on genetics in the Medical School, as well as the Schools of Public Health, Nursing, Social Work and Psychology at the University of Michigan.  A more extensive listing is available from the complete course directory of the respective departments. Electives may be taken in the following departments:

• Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health
• Health Services Management and Policy, School of Public Health
• Public Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health
• Department of Psychology
• Department of Sociology
• School of Social Work

Sample of Electives

Chronic Illness This course utilizes a life span approach to chronic illness. The impact of the chronic illness on the individual and family system is explored as well as the reciprocal relationship involving both individual and family impact on the chronic illness.

Counseling and the Health Decision Process This course examines counseling in health decisions as an interchange between counselor and client which requires the effective communication of information relevant to the health decision/condition, as well as recognition of each participant’s differing backgrounds, perspectives, and motivations.

Developmental Disturbances in Childhood This course describes many of the behavioral disturbances of childhood, including symptoms, prognosis, treatments, and management.

Ethical Considerations for Health Professionals This course examines the ethical dimensions of health care in the United States. Important moral dilemmas and ethical issues are identified, and various historical, philosophical and cultural influences on health care are reviewed. Using a case approach, students apply ethical guidelines to specific health care problems, including access to care, maintaining patient autonomy and selecting health interventions.

Foundations of Maternal & Infant Health This course will provide an opportunity for developing increased knowledge and understanding of three central maternal and child health areas: 1) the health of infants up to six weeks of age and the health of women in their childbearing years; 2) interventions to meet their health problems at the individual, family and community levels; and 3) current governmental program concepts in maternal and infant care and family planning.

Genetics in Epidemiology  This course offers an introduction to genetics and the analytical methods relevant to epidemiology. Emphasis is on the use of genetics to help describe disease frequency and distribution to gain insight into biological etiologies.

Health Organizations and Administration This isan introductory course that considers the problems of achieving results through health service organizations.

Introduction to Biostatistics This course introduces fundamental statistical concepts related to the practice of public health: descriptive statistics; probability; sampling; statistical distributions; estimation; hypothesis testing; chi-square tests; simple and multiple linear regressions; one-way ANOVA.

Introduction to Medical Sociology This course considers a number of important issues in the sociological study of health and illness.

Issues in Public Health Genetics This course focuses on ethical, legal, and social issues and analysis arising from the increasing application of genetic technologies to the health of individuals and populations.

Mental Disorders and Deviant Behavior of Children and Youth This course focuses on dysfunctional behavior in children and youth due to interpersonal difficulties or developmental disabilities, its observation, description, and assessment.

Multiculturalism and Health Education This course focuses on the meaning of ethnicity and social group membership as factors in one's identity and effectiveness as a public health professional. As a result of taking this course students will be better equipped as professionals to self-reflexively assess their own attitudes about the "other" and to identify, design and implement effective strategies for health education in multicultural settings.

Principles of Health Behavior This course provides an overview of psychosocial factors related to health and illness behavior; process of belief and behavior change in relation to health, including strategies for change at the individual, group, and community level.

Psychosocial Factors in Health Related Behavior This courser reviews thepsychological and social determinants of health, illness, and sick role behavior, emphasizing the decisional bases for health related actions.

Public Communication Campaigns in Health This course provides a review of factors involved in the design of health communication campaigns. Implications of persuasive communication models for changing health behavior; role of mass media and interpersonal influence; social marketing; formative and summative evaluation of campaigns.