This page is for students at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
The Department of Biological Sciences in the Faculty of Science, University of Alberta
offers the course
Independent Studies in Genetic Counselling
as a section of:
BIOL 490 – Individual Study
Most graduate programs strongly recommend that applicants have some kind of direct exposure to the genetic counselling profession. If shadowing or internships are not possible, speaking with a genetic counsellor may still be beneficial.
In 2010, the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, in co-operation with the Genetics Clinic at the University Hospital, began offering a unique and competitive undergraduate course — Independent Studies in Genetic Counselling, a section of BIOL490 (Individual Study). This course gives a small, select group of students an opportunity to observe varied genetic counselling sessions with a supervising genetic counsellor. Students prepare and present a graded outline for each session, observe the session, and critically review it afterwards with their supervisor. Students also prepare a midterm oral presentation to the Medical Genetics Clinic. A final written assignment is mutually agreed upon between the student and instructors.
Independent Studies in Genetic Counselling gives students a rare direct view into the field of genetic counselling. Initiated in 2010, 1 – 2 students are accepted in both the Fall and Winter Terms (occasionally one term is not offered).
A former BIOL 490 student wrote about her experience taking the course for The National Society of Genetic Counselors’ online magazine, Perspectives in Genetic Counseling. Read more at NSGC Perspectives in Genetic Counseling Q2 2013 BIOL 490 article by Amber Gamma
