Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Health and Genomics Minor

Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development TCBS
College of Biological Sciences
  • Program Type: Undergraduate free-standing minor
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2022
  • Required credits in this minor: 16
Genetics and genomics continue to become more integrated into healthcare at all levels. As national initiatives shape healthcare to promote personalized medicine, new standards of care will incorporate, and already are incorporating, genetic counseling and testing. In addition to increasing numbers of specialties utilizing genomic testing, the abundance of genetic testing available via the direct-to-consumer market means all healthcare providers will likely interact with genetic and/or genomic testing over the course of their careers. Genetics in healthcare therefore will impact everyone as it becomes standard of care and especially affect those working in healthcare, research, and public health. The courses in this minor will provide undergraduates interested in healthcare careers with technical knowledge, awareness of ethical and diversity-related issues, along with directed research and/or fieldwork experiences to enrich preparation to incorporation of genomics into their careers.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
Students must complete 1 courses before admission to the program.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Biology
BIOL 1009 - General Biology [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
or BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
or BIOL 1951H - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
Minor Requirements
Health and Genomics Core
GCD 3035 - Culture, Identity & Precision Medicine (2.0 cr)
GCD 4144W - Human Genetics - Writing Intensive [WI] (4.0 cr)
GCD 5914 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Genetic Counseling (2.0 cr)
Health and Genomics Electives
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· GCD 4593 - Genomics Directed Studies - Community Experience (2.0-4.0 cr)
· GCD 4693 - Genomics Directed Studies - Literature Review (2.0-4.0 cr)
· GCD 4694 - Genomics Directed Research (2.0-4.0 cr)
 
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BIOL 1009 - General Biology (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1009/Biol 1009H
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
A comprehensive introduction to biology - includes molecular structure of living things, cell processes, energy utilization, genetic information and inheritance, mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, and ecology. Includes lab. This comprehensive course serves as a prerequisite and requirement in many majors.
BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1951/H/Biol 2002/H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Core biological concepts, from biomolecules to ecosystems. Emphasizes evolution, organismal diversity, and genetics within context of problem solving/applications. Students must take both BIOL 1951 and BIOL 1961 to be awarded the Biological Sciences LE. This course is required for all CBS majors
BIOL 1951H - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1951/H/Biol 2002/H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Core biological concepts, from biomolecules to ecosystems. Emphasizes evolution, organismal diversity, and genetics within context of problem solving/applications. Students must take both BIOL 1951H and BIOL 1961 to be awarded the Biological Sciences LE. This course is required for all CBS honors students
GCD 3035 - Culture, Identity & Precision Medicine
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Working effectively across cultural differences is essential to healthcare. As we reduce healthcare disparities and improve access to treatment, cultural competence will only become more important. This course will explore issues of culture and identity (broadly defined) relevant to the practice of precision medicine (the practice of using genomic information to predict risk, inform diagnosis, and plan treatment for medical issues). Examples of the intersections of culture/identity and precision medicine include incorporating religious beliefs and traditions into treatment or prevention recommendations, how to document gender inclusively and accurately in medical records, underrepresentation of minority groups in research databases, and identifying systemic barriers to access. Students will cultivate a better understanding of their own intersectional identity, build language to effectively address cultural differences in healthcare interactions, and critically assess the research and practice of genomic healthcare. This course is open to all students interested in culture and identity in healthcare, as the lessons will translate to all allied health fields.
GCD 4144W - Human Genetics - Writing Intensive (WI)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: GCD 4143 / GCD 4144W
Grading Basis: OPT No Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Human Genetics is the science of how our genomes function, vary, and shape our unique, individual characteristics and is a rapidly expanding field with major implications for medical and fundamental research, clinical practice, and many other areas. In this course, students will learn about the principles of human genetics & genomics at the levels of molecules, cells, individuals, and populations. Topics include patterns of inheritance; the molecular causes and biochemical basis of genetic disorders; disease gene identification; the origin and distribution of human genetic variation; genetic influences on common, complex diseases; epigenetics and regulation of gene expression; genomic technologies for understanding human genomes; cancer genetics; behavioral genetics; human ancestry and evolution; applications such as genetic screening, genetic counseling, and gene therapy; and ethical questions raised by emerging abilities to edit the human genome, modify the human germline, and many more. This writing intensive course is available only to Health and Genomics minors. prereq: BIOL 4003 or instr consent; Health and Genomics minor
GCD 5914 - Ethical and Legal Issues in Genetic Counseling
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will provide a foundational knowledge of the ethical and legal considerations that are relevant to individuals working at the intersection of genetics and medical science. This will involve pre-class reading and research assignments in addition to relevant videos, podcasts, blog readings, and documentaries on this topic. Students will learn to frame ethical questions using appropriate frameworks, consult research, develop strategies for reaching resolutions, and communicate their process and outcomes. Students will work individually as well as collectively through case discussions in small groups and large group settings. Class time will be split between lecture, discussion, and in-class activities.
GCD 4593 - Genomics Directed Studies - Community Experience
Credits: 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed Studies is an individual-study, community-based experience in which the student is mentored directly by a faculty member. The topic for the course is the application of genomics in human health and healthcare. This course is designed for students to get experience in applied genetics or genomics. The details need to be explained in a Research/Directed Studies contract and agreed on by both the student and faculty mentor. The contract must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies (DUGS) for the minor before the student is allowed to register. Four credits total of 4593, 4693, or 4694, or a combination thereof, are required for the Health & Genomics minor. prereq: department consent, instructor consent
GCD 4693 - Genomics Directed Studies - Literature Review
Credits: 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed Research is an individual-study, laboratory, or field investigation course. The research topic needs to be agreed on by both the student and the faculty mentor and explained in a Research/Directed Studies contract. The contract must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies (DUGS) for the major before the student is allowed to register. The contract includes a description of learning objectives for the course, methodology to be used, and how the assessment of learning will be conducted. Four credits total of 4593, 4693, or 4694, or a combination thereof, are required for the Health & Genomics minor. prereq: department consent; instructor consent.
GCD 4694 - Genomics Directed Research
Credits: 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Directed Research is an individual-study, laboratory, or field investigation course. The research topic needs to be agreed on by both the student and the faculty mentor and explained in a Research/Directed Studies contract. The contract must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies (DUGS) for the major before the student is allowed to register. The contract includes a description of learning objectives for the course, methodology to be used, and how the assessment of learning will be conducted. Four credits total of 4593, 4693, or 4694, or a combination thereof, are required for the Health & Genomics minor. prereq: department consent; instructor consent.