Elective Courses - (Students Entering Summer 2022 and Later)

This course explores genetic/genomic influences on the development of autoimmune diseases and other diseases with inflammatory components. Students discuss the use of biomarker studies for both increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and for identifying proteins and metabolites that may provide insight into the causes of these disorders. Students successfully completing this course will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the genetic underpinnings of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and be able to explain how biomarker studies can be used to improve patient outcomes.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This course examines the genetic underpinnings of common neurological disorders, neurogenetic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Students study how genomics can be used to identify genes that are directly involved in neurological disorders or that confer significant risk of developing a disorder. Students discuss how that information is used for diagnosis, prognosis, and development of novel therapeutics. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to explain the role that gene variants and mutations play in the development of neurological diseases and describe how that information can be used to support effective patient treatment and care.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This course covers polymorphisms related to cardiovascular disease, including genes that contribute to the development of heart disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke. Students review how these genetic risk factors were identified and linked to cardiovascular disease. They also learn about the interplay of lifestyle factors with genetic risk factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. Students completing this course will demonstrate an understanding of gene variants involved in increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and be able to describe the role that lifestyle choices play in development of cardiovascular disease.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This advanced topics course provides an in-depth knowledge of the clinical applications of pharmacogenomics. Students deepen their understanding of how genetic differences impact drug therapy. Students view recorded lectures presented by experts on disease-specific topics and also read assigned papers relevant to those topics. Assessment is based on completion of worksheets. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate a broad understanding of the current and potential clinical applications of pharmacogenomics.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502; PMGCG 602

Credits: 1

This course focuses on how knowledge of the genomics, health, and environment of one species can be used to effectively develop targeted treatments for other species. It addresses the global interrelatedness of the health of all species and how One Health-based studies can help to develop solutions for human and animal health issues and inform public policy. Students successfully completing this course will be able to describe the uses and practicality of the One Health approach to supporting animal and human health, as well as the health of the environment.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This course examines the importance of gene expression alterations on the health of individuals and populations. Topics include the mechanisms controlling gene expression, such as epigenetics, variation, and three-dimensional nuclear structure, and how these changes contribute to complex disease. Students also examine how advances in these areas can be used to improve health. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the role that gene expression changes play in health and disease, as well as being able to describe the factors that influence gene expression.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This course explores methods available for manipulation of genomes to treat genetic diseases or to prevent the development of diseases. It addresses the various techniques for conducting gene therapy and editing, and the mechanisms by which they work. Students examine the health risks and ethical issues associated with these technologies. Upon successful completion of this course, students will demonstrate knowledge of the current technologies used for modifications of the genome, and be able to describe both the benefits and the intended and unintended consequences of these technologies.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This course engages students in surveys and in-depth evaluations of the precision medicine scientific literature. Seminal papers in the development of ‘omic and precision medicine technologies, as well as recent publications, are critically reviewed. The objective of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how the various ‘omics fields developed and to assist them with learning to evaluate and properly understand scientific literature.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing is in widespread use for both tracing ancestry and for identification of disease risk alleles. The purpose of this course is to help students understand the various types of tests available and recognize what types of information they provide. Students will learn how to assist their patients in interpreting and applying the results of risk allele testing to achieve better health outcomes. Upon successful completion of this course, students will understand the various formats in which direct-to-consumer genetic testing results are provided, will be able to describe how to appropriately evaluate the information provided, and will be able to help the patient make decisions or find resources that will help them make the best use of the genetic information they receive.

Prerequisites: PMGCG 501, 502

Credits: 1

This independent study course is designed to provide students the opportunity to explore topics of didactic and/or clinical interest as needed to enhance the student's learning.

Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor

Credits: 0.5 - 6