Typical Course of Study
Typical Course of Study
First Year
Fall Semester
- Embryology (online course - summer prior to 1st year)
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Clinical Genetics (GENE 525) (2 credits)
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Molecular & Cytogenetics (GENE 524) (2 credits)
- Principles and Practices of Genetic Counseling (GENE 528) (3 credits)
- Research in Genetics (GENE 601) (2 credits)
- Preparing for Genetic Counseling Practice (GENE 534) (1 credit)
- Collaborative Practice I
Spring Semester
- Psychosocial Issues in Genetic Counseling (GENE 529) (3 credits)
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Cancer Genetics (GENE 531) (2 credits)
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Quantiative Genetics and Metabolism (GENE 527) (2 credits)
- Research in Genetics (GENE 601) (1 credit)
- Preparing for Genetic Counseling Practice (GENE 534) (1 credit)
- Collaborative Practice I
Summer Semester
- Clinical Practicum in Genetic Counseling (GENE 532) (3 Credits)
Second Year
Fall Semester
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Genomics and Therapeutics (GENE 526) (2 Credits)
- Clinical Practicum in Genetic Counseling (GENE 532) (4 Credits)
- Foundations in Bioethics (BETH 401 (6 credits)
- Research in Genetics (Gene 601) (1 credit)
Spring Semester
- Ethical Issues in Genetics/Genomics (BETH 412) (3 Credits)
- Clinical Practicum in Genetic Counseling (GENE 532) (4 Credits)
- Bioethics Capstone (BETH 604) (1.5 Credits)
- Foundation in Bioethics II (BETH 402) (6 Credits)
Summer Semester
- Research in Genetics (Gene 601) (3 credits)
Third Year
Fall Semester
- Research in Genetics (GENE 601) (3 Credits)
- Clinical Ethics Rotation (BETH 405) (3 Credits)
- BETH Elective (3 Credits)
- Bioethics Mini Elective (BETH 603) (1.5 Credits)
Course List
BETH 401 Foundations in Bioethics
The first of the two required seminar courses, this course covers five basic topic areas in bioethics: death and dying; health professional-patient relationship; method and theory in bioethics; organ transplantation; and ethics and children. The course meets twice weekly and is taught in seminar format by Center faculty members who are experts on specific topics. Pre- entry.
BETH 402 Foundations in Bioethics II
This course completes the required seminar core and covers the basic bioethics topic areas: health care justice; defining 'health care needs;' reproduction and fertility ethics; research ethics; and ethics in genetics. The course meets twice weekly and is taught in seminar format by Center faculty members who are experts on specific topics. Recommended preparation: BETH 401.
BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotation
In this course, students will become familiar with the clinical, psychological, social, professional, and institutional context in which ethical problems arise. This course exposes students to clinical cases, to hospital ethics committees and ethics consultation programs, to institutional review boards (IRB), and to hospital policies covering the "do not resuscitate" orders (DNR), advance directives, withdrawal of artificial feeding, organ procurement and transplantation, and medical futility. Requires minimum of 8 total hours of rotation experience per week during two-semester 10-week rotations. Locations for this course include: MetroHealth Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and the Hospice of the Western Reserve. Recommended preparation: BETH 401 or concurrent enrollment.
BETH 412 Ethical Issues in Genetics and Genomics
This course is designed to familiarize graduate students with the major controversies regarding the generation and use of new human genetic information. Topics will include the growth of susceptibility and predictive genetic testing, prenatal diagnosis, genetic discrimination, human genetic variation research, eugenics, genetic counseling, and the limits of human gene therapy. The course will be conducted as a seminar, involving discussions of readings, guest speakers, and student presentations.