Web cookies (also called HTTP cookies, browser cookies, or simply cookies) are small pieces of data that websites store on your device (computer, phone, etc.) through your web browser. They are used to remember information about you and your interactions with the site.
Purpose of Cookies:
Session Management:
Keeping you logged in
Remembering items in a shopping cart
Saving language or theme preferences
Personalization:
Tailoring content or ads based on your previous activity
Tracking & Analytics:
Monitoring browsing behavior for analytics or marketing purposes
Types of Cookies:
Session Cookies:
Temporary; deleted when you close your browser
Used for things like keeping you logged in during a single session
Persistent Cookies:
Stored on your device until they expire or are manually deleted
Used for remembering login credentials, settings, etc.
First-Party Cookies:
Set by the website you're visiting directly
Third-Party Cookies:
Set by other domains (usually advertisers) embedded in the website
Commonly used for tracking across multiple sites
Authentication cookies are a special type of web cookie used to identify and verify a user after they log in to a website or web application.
What They Do:
Once you log in to a site, the server creates an authentication cookie and sends it to your browser. This cookie:
Proves to the website that you're logged in
Prevents you from having to log in again on every page you visit
Can persist across sessions if you select "Remember me"
What's Inside an Authentication Cookie?
Typically, it contains:
A unique session ID (not your actual password)
Optional metadata (e.g., expiration time, security flags)
Analytics cookies are cookies used to collect data about how visitors interact with a website. Their primary purpose is to help website owners understand and improve user experience by analyzing things like:
How users navigate the site
Which pages are most/least visited
How long users stay on each page
What device, browser, or location the user is from
What They Track:
Some examples of data analytics cookies may collect:
Page views and time spent on pages
Click paths (how users move from page to page)
Bounce rate (users who leave without interacting)
User demographics (location, language, device)
Referring websites (how users arrived at the site)
Here’s how you can disable cookies in common browsers:
1. Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies and other site data.
Choose your preferred option:
Block all cookies (not recommended, can break most websites).
Block third-party cookies (can block ads and tracking cookies).
2. Mozilla Firefox
Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, choose Strict to block most cookies or Custom to manually choose which cookies to block.
3. Safari
Open Safari and click Safari in the top-left corner of the screen.
Go to Preferences > Privacy.
Check Block all cookies to stop all cookies, or select options to block third-party cookies.
4. Microsoft Edge
Open Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Cookies and site permissions.
Select your cookie settings from there, including blocking all cookies or blocking third-party cookies.
5. On Mobile (iOS/Android)
For Safari on iOS: Go to Settings > Safari > Privacy & Security > Block All Cookies.
For Chrome on Android: Open the app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Cookies.
Be Aware:
Disabling cookies can make your online experience more difficult. Some websites may not load properly, or you may be logged out frequently. Also, certain features may not work as expected.
UConn's Genetic Counseling Professional Science Master's Program
Preparing the Next Generation of Professionals to Translate Genomics for Health
The Genetic Counseling Professional Science Master's Degree Program at the University of Connecticut is Connecticut's first and only genetic counseling program. The competency-based and engaging online program is designed to be responsive to the dynamic environment of clinical genetics. Immediately after joining the program, students begin online clinical and professional development training. Graduates will be well prepared to pass the national certification examination and join the workforce as ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors (CGC®).
UConn’s Genetic Counseling Faculty and Clinical Partners share a commitment to Life Transformative Education and Career Readiness Training for our next generation of genetic counselors.
Interested in applying to UConn's Genetic Counseling Program? Join us for UConn's Virtual Open House on August 6th, 2025 from 5-6 pm ET! Meet program leadership and current students, get answers to your questions, and learn what makes UConn's Genetic Counseling Program unique. Register to attend here.
UConn GC Mission
The mission of the University of Connecticut’s Genetic Counseling graduate degree program is to prepare the next generation of diverse genetic counseling professionals who can foster innovation, advocacy, and leadership in a technologically dynamic discipline for improved health care outcomes and lifelong learning.
Why UConn for your GC degree?
Systems-based training addressing complex interconnections of genomics to health and in practice
A Professional Science Master's degree to meet workforce demands for transferrable skills
First semester rotations across genetic counseling practices for immediate engagement
Celebration of uniqueness and diversity toward improved genomic literacy and health outcomes
Online classes for flexible scheduling with a $2,000 stipend per year to offset fieldwork costs
Six 10-week rotations for experiential learning in diverse settings and communities
The Genetic Counseling Professional Science Master's Degree Program at the University of Connecticut is Connecticut's first and only genetic counseling program. The competency-based and engaging online program is designed to be responsive to the dynamic environment of clinical genetics. Immediately after joining the program, students begin online clinical and professional development training. Graduates will be well prepared to pass the national certification examination and join the workforce as ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors (CGC®).
