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MSc with Honours in Genetic Counselling School of Biomedical & Physical Sciences Program Convenor: Dr Madelyn Peterson BPharm MA(Ethics) PhD FHGSA, [email protected] FACULTY Program Convenor: Dr Madelyn Peterson BPharm MA(Ethics) PhD FHGSA, [email protected] Clinical Advisor: Associate Professor Michael Gabbett MSc MBBS RACP FHGSA, [email protected] ; Associate Lecturer: Ms Linda Humphreys MSc (Hons) [email protected] Research Coordinator: Clinical Coordinator: PROGRAM BASICS & ASSESSMENT FUTURE PLANS / CHALLENGES We are interested in developing a Professional Doctorate program and aiming for ABGC Program accreditation down the track. OTHER PROGRAMS OFFERED • Graduate Certificate in Applied Clinical Genetics • Graduate Diploma in Applied Clinical Genetics • Masters of Science in Applied Clinical Genetics OUR STUDENTS •Number enrolled per year: 6 • Undergraduate backgrounds accepted: Science (majority), health, psychology, social work, behavioural science. •Selection process: Written application, formal statement & interview. Short- list of applicants for interview by panel (Program Convenor, Academic , Clinical Professional & Administration Officer) •Academic +/- experiential prerequisites : Appropriate undergraduate degree (convenor approval) with GPA of at least 5.0 on scale of 1-7. Counselling experience or voluntary community work desirable but not mandatory. •Nationality and /or ethnocultural backgrounds of students: Mainly Caucasian Australasians, usually one Brisbane, Australia GC program offered since 1996 Program length: 5 semesters over 2 years ACCREDITATION Professional Body: Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) www.hgsa.org.au Committee: HGSA Board of Censors Guidelines: https://www.hgsa.org.au/website/wp- content/uploads/2009/06/2010GL01-Masters- Programs.pdf Course Week 2 Week 4 Week 6 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Tota l 7246BPS Bioethics Journal Club Tutorial reading preparation, attendance & contribution Week 1-7: 20% Tutorial presentation & facilitation of discussion: 15% Seminar 40% Case Study Assign 25% 100% 7240BPS Genetic Counsellin g Scenari o Assign 20% Active task 10% Active task 15% 45% Exam 55% 7241BPS Clinical Genetics 10MCQ 5% Proble m set 5% Cytogen Assignm ent 7.5% PGD Case study 7.5% 10MCQ 5% 10MCQ 5% 10MCQ 5% 40% Exam 60% 7248BPS Community Practice Tute 5% Tute 5% Tute 5% Reflec t Task 10% Tute 5% HD Case Study 25% Tute 5% Activity Logbook 20% Superviso r Reports 20% 100% Course Week 3 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Total 7247BPS Advanced Human Genetics 20MCQ 10% 20MC Q 10% Short ans 10% Assignm ent Draft 10% 10MCQ 5% Proble m set 5% Short ans 10% 10MCQ 5% Assign 30% 10MCQ 5% 100% 7249BPS Intro to Genetic Counselli ng QoL 1 Assig n 5% Assig n 20% Reflecti on on video 10% Skill s test 10% QoL 2 Assign 5% 50% Exam 50% 7010HSV Applied Counselli ng Essa y 25% Case study 40% Analysis Recorded session 35% 100% 7242BPS Advanced Human Genetics Lab Intensive Week laboratory course (5 full days) scheduled in Week 16 Assessment: Laboratory modules write up - Bioinformatics, Cytogenetics, Results Manuscript 100% YEAR 1 YEAR 2 ALUMNI Graduates: ~ 120 since 1996 Employment in: Public Health Clinical Genetics Services, Familial Cancer Registries, Private Prenatal Services, Research (co- ordinators and PhD students), Education, Health Policy or Administration, IVF Services, Pathology Laboratory Services, other areas of counselling. Course Sem 1 Week 2 Sem 1 Week 6 Sem 1 Week 8 Sem 1 Week 10 Sem 1 Week 11 Sem 1 Week 12 Sem 2 Week 12 Sem 1 Week 13 6002BPS Principles of Research Writing Draft Assign 0% Final Assign 80% Seminar Presentatio n 20% 7250BPS Clinical Placement Students complete 3 blocks of 5 weeks clinical placement over Summer Semester, Semester 1 & 2. Assessment: Tutorial attendance & participation; Case studies; Supervisor Appraisals; Final Seminar. Seminar 8001BPS Masters Research Project Research Project begins with project development at the end of Year 1 and Ethics application & approval prior to Semester1 of Year 2. Regular meetings with their supervisors & research coordinator. Honours Thesis 60% Supervis or Reports 30% Seminar 10% INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION Student exchange supported. GU has hosted students from USA in recent years for clinical rotation at Genetic Health Queensland and so+gi (Specialised Obstetric & Gynaecological Imaging). We are keen to send GU students to USA, Canada and UK for 5 week rotations from 2012. Program development: We would like to acknowledge practical support for our Masters program development from the following program directors: Margaret Sahhar, University of Melbourne Bonnie LeRoy, University of Minnesota Carol Walton, University of Colorado Resource sharing: Willing to share resources such as curricula, assessment strategies etc. PRESCRIBED TEXTS •LeRoy, BS, Veach PM, & Bartels, DM (2010) Genetic Counseling Practice: Advanced Concepts and Skills •Uhlmann, WR, Schuette, JL & Yashar, B (2009) A Guide to Genetic Counseling, •Weil J (2000). Psychosocial Genetic Counselling. •Nussbaum R, McInnes R & Willard H (2007) Thompson & Thompson Genetics in Medicine •Harper, PS (2010) Practical Genetic Counselling RECOMMENDED TEXTS •Veach PM, LeRoy, BS & Bartels, DM (2003) Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process: A Practice Manual •Evans C (2006) Genetic Counselling: A Psychological Approach •Gaff, CL & Bylund, CL (Eds) 2010 Family Communication about Genetics: Theory and Practice . RESEARCH PROJECTS Students undertake a one year Masters level Honours project in an area of relevance to clinical genetics. They must submit a thesis of around 40,000 words for examination. OTHER INTERESTING FACTS We are fortunate to have two very experienced ABGC Certified Genetic Counselors as part of our faculty of clinical teachers
