Graduate Courses and Electives

The courses listed below are primarily intended for students seeking the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in medical genetics and for medical students seeking a combined M.D. and graduate degree. Complete program information is provided in the Graduate School Bulletin and/or departmental brochures.

• MGEN–Q 580 Basic Human Genetics (3 cr.) P: General genetics and consent of instructor. An introduction to the genetics of human traits and heritable diseases. Emphasis will be on general aspects of eukaryote genetics as it applies to humans, but some prokaryote genetics will be included for comparison. Reed

• MGEN–Q 606 Foundations in Genetic Counseling (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Introduction to the principles and practice of genetic counseling. Topics include genetic counseling techniques, prenatal diagnosis counseling, pediatric/adult counseling, and support services. Delk

• MGEN–Q 610 Clinical Genetics Practicum (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Methods for obtaining medical and family histories, approaches to evaluation of individuals and families with genetic disorders, and techniques for providing genetic counseling. May be repeated once for credit. Weaver

• MGEN–Q 612 Molecular and Biochemical Genetics (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Molecular and biochemical aspects of gene function in various genetic disorders and selected examples of techniques/approaches used to investigate genetic disease. Emphasis on the DNA lesion when known, on aberrations in the metabolic pathways, and on structural defects. Discussion of hemoglobinopathies, phenylketonuria, storage diseases, and other conditions. Dlouhy

• MGEN–Q 613 Molecular and Biochemical Genetics Laboratory (2 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. The student will learn to perform and interpret basic molecular and biochemical methods such as determination of genetic markers that can be used for diagnosis, genotyping, and forensic applications. Dlouhy

• MGEN–Q 614 Psychological Aspects of Genetic Counseling (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor and one course in introductory or abnormal psychology. Introduction to theory and research in the field of genetic counseling. Topics include risk assessment, attitude assessment, and decision making. The social, ethical, and legal aspects of the delivery of genetic services are also covered. Quaid

• MGEN–Q 615 Prenatal Diagnosis Practicum (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Training in prenatal genetic counseling; counseling referrals may include advanced maternal age, abnormal prenatal screening, abnormal ultrasound, or other pregnancy complications. Delk

• MGEN–Q 616 Specialty Clinics Practicum (2 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. An overview of the long-term management of patients living with  a variety of genetic conditions. Students may provide genetic counseling while in these clinics. Delk

• MGEN–Q 617 Genetic Counseling Practicum (arr. cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Training in general genetic counseling. Counseling referrals may include recurrent miscarriage, family history of a genetic condition, pre-conception counseling, and teratogen exposures. Delk

• MGEN–Q 620 Human Cytogenetics (3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor and basic genetics. Study of chromosome structure and replication, X-inactivation, meiosis, numerical and structural rearrangements in humans, and cytogenetics of malignancies. Thurston

• MGEN–Q 621 Human Cytogenetics Laboratory (3 cr.) P: Basic genetics, Q620, and consent of instructor. Current techniques in human cytogenetics. May be taken concurrently with Q620. Vance
  

• MGEN–Q 622 Cytogenetics of Malignancies (2–3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. This course will primarily examine the biologic implications of cytogenetic abnormalities found in malignancies. Aberrant gene function as a result of cytogenetic abnormalities will be stressed. Vance

• MGEN–Q 625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1 cr.) An introduction to the broad areas of practice in clinical genetics; the ethical, legal, and social issues involved in the care of patients and families with genetic disorders; and the interface of clinical genetics and genetics research.

• MGEN–Q 626 Fundamentals of Biochemical & Molecular Genetics (1 cr.) An introduction to the concepts of molecular and biochemical genetics with emphasis on examples of pathogenesis of human disease.

• MGEN–Q 627 Fundamentals of Human Cytogenetics (1 cr.) An introduction to the principles of human cytogenetics with applications in basic genetics, including the clinical consequences of chromosomal abnormalities.

• MGEN–Q 628 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (1 cr.) An introduction to the broad areas of population genetics and gene discovery.

• MGEN–Q 630 Population Genetics (3 cr.) P: Basic genetics. Effects of mutation and selection on the survival of alleles in a population; consequences of consanguinity and inbreeding; methods of linkage analysis including parametric and non-parametric methods; and quantitative genetics such as twin studies and QTL mapping in animal models of disease. Foroud
  

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics (1–3 cr.) P: Basic genetics. A continuing, nonrepeating series of lectures and/or review of publications on newer advances in human genetics; discussions in specific areas of human genetics not presently available to all students. Additional credits may be obtained by study of a specific area under individual tutelage. Staff
  

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics: Dysmorphology (1 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Study of human congenital malformations, deformations, disruptions, and dysplasias; review of associated syndromes; approach to dysmorphology evaluation. Torres

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics: Embryology (1 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Normal human conception and embryonic/fetal development and factors causing birth defects. Walsh

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics: Practical Cancer Genetic Counseling (1 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Overview of hereditary cancer syndromes, counseling approaches, and testing issues. Hunter

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics: Communication Techniques (3 cr.) P: Consent of the instructor. Genetic counseling models, methods, and communication skills; professional issues related to client interactions. Practice-based learning through role play and other class interactions. Delk

• MGEN–Q 640 Special Topics in Human Genetics: Clinical Management and Genetics of Metabolic Disease (1 cr.) The student will gain a practical understanding of inborn errors of metabolism, the management of patients with these diseases, and the genetic counseling issues that arise in the care of families with these diseases.

• MGEN–Q 642 Dermatoglyphics (2 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Formation, development, classification, and variation of finger, palm, and footprint patterns (dermatoglyphics) in humans; interpretation of results of quantitative and statistical techniques utilized in the study of the inheritance of dermatoglyphic traits, variation in twins, and applications in clinical genetics. Reed (inactive)

• MGEN–Q 660 Medical Genetics Seminar (2 cr.) P: Basic genetics. Topics chosen from aspects of medical genetics not extensively treated elsewhere. Various phases of research in medicine from a genetic and clinical point of view. Students may receive credit during each semester of residence on Medical Center campus. Dlouhy

• MGEN–Q 730 Methods in Human Genetics (3 cr.) P: Basic genetics and Q630. Sampling methods employed in the study of human genetics; methods for analysis of linkage with family data collected under various forms of ascertainment. Koller

• MGEN–G 504 Introduction to Research Ethics (2–3 cr.) P: Basic genetics and Q630. Introduction to the basic concepts of research ethics. The course will cover historical development of concern with ethics in science as well as practical information needed by students working in the science today. Format will be lecture and discussion. Quaid

• MGEN–G 724 Introduction to Research Ethics (1 cr.) An introduction to cancer focusing on genetics. Topics include causes and effects of chromosome instability (including centromere/telomere failures and chromosomal translocations), epigenetic changes, and genetic risk factors during cancer progression.

• MGEN–G 725 Gene Transfer Approaches to Clinical and Basic Research (Gene Therapy) (1 cr.) A lecture-based course of basic principles involved with the transfer and expression of genetic material. Focus on technical aspects of each vector system, followed by applications to human diseases/experimental animal models. Practical understanding of non-viral and viral gene transfer to utilize these techniques in research studies.

• MGEN–G 726 Developmental Genetics (1 cr.) This introductory course focuses on the genetic basic of mouse development. It covers the principles of embryogenesis and explores the mechanism of morphogenic signaling and transcriptional control of body plan and tissue differentiation. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of developmental genetics in understanding human disease.

• MGEN–G 727 Animal Models of Human Disease (1 cr.) This class explores advantages and limitations of animal models of human disease. Topics include models for diabetes, psychiatric disorders, cancer, osteoporosis, polycystic kidney, and cardiovascular disease. The goal of the course is to provide a framework for students to select experimental animal models in their future research careers.

• MGEN–Q 800 Medical Genetics Research (arr. cr.) Exempt from Incomplete rule (see Indiana University Graduate School Bulletin). Staff
  

• MGEN–Q 899 Senior Elective in Medical Genetics (arr. hrs.) (arr. cr.) A variety of electives are offered within the department. Specific information on each elective is available in the Senior Elective Program Course Listing, which is updated and published in February of each year. These electives are offered in the Medical Center facilities and in approved programs in clinics and hospitals throughout the state. Staff

• MGEN–G 746 Chromosome Instability and Disease (1 cr.) (Biannually) Exploration of the mechanisms of chromosome instability and the clinical impact of this problem. Topics will include chromosome structure and function and how failures in these functions promote chromosome instability in meiosis and mitosis. Other topics include the clinical consequences of chromosome instability in miscarriage, birth defects, and cancer.

• MGEN–G 901 Advance Research (6 cr.) For Ph.D. students who have at least 90 credit hours. May be taken for a maximum of six semesters.

• MGEN–Q 601 Medical Genetics (33 hrs.) (2 cr.) Required for sophomore medical students. A comprehensive course in human genetics, emphasizing the principles of genetics and their application to clinical medicine through the family history, clinical findings, and laboratory studies. Examples of specific problems, their evaluation, and genetic counseling will be used to supplement didactic material. Staff