Viriginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics

Graduate Courses

Courses in the Department of Human Genetics

• 501 Introduction to Human Genetics. An introductory course in the principles of inheritance with particular reference to genetic variation in man.
• 502 Advanced Human Genetics. A comprehensive study of the principles of specific areas in human genetics.
• 511 Human Cytogenetics. A discussion of recent advances in human cytogenetics. Topics covered will include chromosome banding techniques and ultrastructure, meiosis, numerical and structural abnormalities, fragile sites, cancer cytogenetics, methodology for linkage studies, and population cytogenetics. Clinical cases are used to illustrate the application of special diagnostic methodologies.
• 516 Population Genetics. Genetic and ecological factors affecting normal and abnormal variation within and between populations of organisms, especially man.
• 518 Methods in Human Population Genetics. Data analysis and discussion of methods including segregation analysis and linkage. Topics will include inbreeding, ascertainment and genetic epidemiology.
• 525-526 Practice of Genetic Counseling. Provides context for practice of genetic counseling through literature review and practical techniques. Places specific emphasis on pregnancy and childhood evaluation, interviewing techniques, social and ethical issues, including fieldwork in prenatal, general genetics and specialty clinics.
• 527-528 Medical Genetics. Provides medical information and principles of human genetic disease with specific emphasis on the molecular basis of Mendelian disorders, disorders of sexual development, assessment of dysmorphic features, and the genetics of common diseases.
• 531 Dental Genetics. The basis of inheritance and variation in man, including simple and complex modes of inheritance, the nature of mutations, human chromosomal aberrations, variation in protein and antigens, genetic aspects of some syndromes, and birth defects.
• 600 Clinical Genetics. Practical experiance in the genetic counseling clinic and on ward rounds. Includes collection and analysis of family histories, genetic counseling, and introduction to genetic nosology.
• 603 Mathematical and Statistical Genetics. Provides an introduction to the rudiments of theoretical and applied mathematical population genetics including the segregation of genes in families, genetic linkage and quantitative inheritance. Emphasizes the methods used in the analysis of genetic data.
  Genetic Epidemiology Module
• 614 Human Biochemical and Molecular Genetics. Surveys the mechanisms and varieties of human gene mutations resulting in human genetic disease and emphasizes the different investigational disorders using current scientific literature.
• 617 Segregation and Linkage Analysis. Introduces the theory and practice of segregation and linkage analysis as applied to human kinship data. Emphasizes the techniques for the detection, characterization, and mapping of single loci with large effecs on phenotype.
• 618 Advanced Segregation and Linkage Analysis. Focuses on advanced topics related to segregation and linkage analysis. Presents alternatives to single major locus segregation patterns, advanced linkage analysis techniques such as multipoint mapping, and combined segregation and linkage analyses.
• 619 Quantitative Genetics. The effects of genes and environment on complex human traits with emphasis on: Genetic architecture and evolution; non-genetic inheritance; mate selection; developmental change; sex-effects; genotype-environment interaction; resolving cause from effects; design of genetic studies, statistical methods and computer algorithms for genetic data analysis.
• 620 Principles of Human Behavioral Genetics. The theory of genetic and nongenetic transmission considered in relation to the design, analysis, and interpretation of studies to identify the principal genetic and environmental causes of behavioral variation. Included will be analysis of intelligence, personality, social attitudes, and psychiatric disorders.
• 690 Genetics Research Seminar. Selected topics in genetics presented by students and staff.
• 691 Special Topics in Genetics. Lectures, tutorial studies, library assignments in selected areas of advanced study or specialized laboratory procedures not available in other courses or as part of the research training.
• 697 Directed Research in Genetics. Research leading to the M.S. or Ph.D. degree and elective research projects for other students.
• Mx class in Quantitative Genetics Structural equation modeling of genetic epidemiologic data using Mx.
• HGEN/PSY691 Cancer Control Course Specialized course in cancer control, exploring the epidemiology and prevention of cancer, with a focus on four areas: 1) behavioral research in cancer prevention and early detection, 2) genetic epidemiology and twin studies of cancer risk factors, 3) outcomes and health services research, and 4) palliative care in cancer patients