Course Descriptions

The genetic counseling plan of study comprises the following courses. 

Course  Title  Credits  Description 
ISG 5100  Foundations of Genetic and Genomic Medicine  3  Foundational concepts and application of genetics and genomics in the context of human disease. 
ISG 5102  Clinical Applications of Genetic and Genomic Technologies  3  Principles, clinical applications, and interpretation of genetic and genomic testing methods. 
ISG 5103  Theories and Methods of Genetic Counseling  3  The theoretical framework, skills, and applications needed to communicate genetics and genomics, resources, diagnoses, and counseling in the clinical setting. 
ISG 5140  Systems Medical Genetics  3  Congenital malformations, dysmorphology, and genetic syndromes through a physical, functional, and genomic systems-based approach, supporting diagnosis, etiology, risk assessment, prognosis, and management. 
ISG 5141  Metabolic and Cardiovascular Genomics  2  Effects and interactions of genetic variants and lifestyle/environmental factors in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. 
ISG 5142  Clinical Cancer Genetics  3  The role of genetics, genomics, and heredity in oncology for cancer risk assessment, diagnostic testing, prognosis, and supportive care. 
ISG 5143  Clinical Prenatal Genetics  1  Knowledge and skills for prenatal genetic counseling: screening and diagnostic testing, ultrasound anomalies, teratogens, and assisted reproductive technologies. 
ISG 5146  Research Methods  3  Skills to propose, articulate, and evaluate research, incorporating history and DEIJ; prepare a research proposal for genetics/genetic counseling in health care. 
ISG 5147  Clinical Risk Assessment for Genetic Counselors  1  An in-depth exploration of the principles, methods, and applications of risk assessment in genetic counseling. 
ISG 5200  Communication and Counseling Skills for Effective Health Care Conversations  3  Theory and practical communication, counseling, and support skills connecting practitioners and consumers in health care and genomics. 
ISG 5201  Cultural Awareness: Working with Diverse Populations in Health Care (elective)  3  Connecting cultural differences with the delivery of counseling services and health care discussions. 
ISG 5203  Death, Dying, Grief, and Coping  3  Concepts of death, loss, and grief and their impact on consumer-provider conversations in health care. 
ISG 5204  Genomics in the Spotlight: Evaluating Media Narratives  3  Provides frameworks for critically evaluating how genetics is represented across journalism, social media, film, fiction, and podcasting. 
ISG 5601  Interpreting Clinical Genomic Data  3  Using database resources to identify and interpret genetic variation in clinical case management and to communicate findings accessibly. 
ISG 5715  Current Topics in Clinical Genetics Journal Club  1  Exploration of clinical genetics and genomics through primary-literature review. 
ISG 5716  Current Topics in Clinical Genetics Journal Club II  1  Literature presentations to practitioners, faculty, students, and community members. 
ISG 5730  Professional Skills and Competencies (variable topics)  Var  Career-skills development for practice in research, diagnostic, and clinic settings. Includes case review and career readiness. 
ISG 5501-06  Genetic Counseling Fieldwork Rotation  Var  Experiential learning integrating classroom knowledge with supervised practice in a professional setting. 
ISG 5801-03  Capstone Project   Var  3-part capstone series allowing for active engagement in research 
ISG 5099  Independent Study  Var  Independent investigation toward scholarship in the discipline.