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Masters

Public Health Genetics

University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh , United States
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Tuition Fee
Not Available
Start Date
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Medium of studying
Not Available
Duration
15 credits
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Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Epidemiology | Genetic Counseling | Public Health
Area of study
Health | Hygiene and occupational health services
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview

Public Health Genetics Certificate Program

The Public Health Genetics certificate program is designed to provide graduates with a basic grounding in public health genetics, enabling them to function as public health professionals at the cutting edge of this important new area. Advances in genetics are occurring at a pace that challenges our collective ability to respond to the many social, legal, ethical, and public health policy implications generated by this revolution of knowledge.


Program Description

The purpose of this certificate is to train public health professionals to incorporate knowledge of how genes, together with the environment and behavior, influence health and apply this insight into their area of practice or research. Additionally, students will:


  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of the role that genetics plays in the development of disease
  • Identify the limits of their genetic expertise
  • Identify ethical and medical limitations to genetic testing, including uses that don't benefit the individual
  • Determine the role that cultural, social, behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors play in the development and prevention of genetic-related diseases

Academic Requirements

The certificate requires 15 credits, with at least 12 credits coming from traditional classroom courses. The remaining three credits can be seminar, project, or practicum work. Students enrolled in Human Genetics degree programs other than the MPH in Public Health Genetics may receive the certificate, with the stipulation that the certificate curriculum must include at least nine credits of coursework, seminar, project, or practicum work that is not part of the coursework for their degree.


Required Courses

  • HUGEN 2049 Introduction to Public Health Genetics (3 credits)
  • HUGEN 2059 Current Topics in Public Health (3 credits)

Elective Courses

At least six credits from the following courses are required:


  • HUGEN 2010 Bioinformatic Resources for Geneticists (1 credit)
  • HUGEN 2020 Introduction to Population Genetic and Genetic Epidemiology
  • HUGEN 2040 Molecular Basis of Human Inherited Disease (3 credits)
  • HUGEN 2054 Applications in Public Health Genetics and Genomics
  • HUGEN 2060 Chromosomes - Structure and Function
  • HUGEN 2090 Molecular Basis of Complex Diseases
  • HUGEN 2091 Genetics of Complex Diseases

Additional Courses

A maximum of two credits may come from the following courses:


  • HUGEN 2021 Special Studies
  • HUGEN 2028 Human Genetics Journal Club and Peer Review
  • HUGEN 2047 Clinical Genetics Case Conference (1 credit)
  • HUGEN 2050 Public Health Genetics Practicum

Additional Permitted Courses

  • All other Human Genetics courses
  • EOH 2805 Epigenetics and Epigenomics of Environmental Health
  • EPIDEM 2600 Introduction to Molecular Epidemiology
  • BCHS 2572 Risk Communication
  • IDM 2001 Molecular Biology of Microbial Pathogens
  • IDM 2002 Molecular Virology
  • IDM 2010 Pathogen Biology
  • IDM 2014 Functional Genomics of Microbial Pathogens
  • IDM 2032 Human Diversity and Public Health

Admissions

The program is open to currently matriculated Pitt Public Health graduate students and also to non-degree students who hold at least a bachelors degree. The standards for admission are the same as those for the MPH, i.e., an adequate background in mathematics, biology, and social science to successfully complete the required coursework for the certificate. Applicants who are not enrolled in degree programs in Pitt Public Health must demonstrate prior public health experience in the form of academic work or appropriate job experience.


Requirements for Students in a HUGEN Degree Program

Students in a HUGEN degree program other than the MPH are eligible to receive the Public Health Genetics Certificate by meeting the requirements below:


  • Student must complete six credits of coursework not already required by the student's degree program
  • Students must complete the following courses:
    • HUGEN 2049 Introduction to Public Health Genetics
    • HUGEN 2059 Current Topics in Public Health
  • The additional two credits of coursework can come from any of the following:
    • The list of HUGEN core courses
    • The list of approved additional courses
    • Must be approved by the certificate director
  • Up to two credits of a project or practicum work (HUGEN 2050 or HUGEN 2021)
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