Genetic Counselling (Non-Thesis) (M.Sc.) (48 credits)
Offered by: Human Genetics (Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 48
Program Description
The M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling; Non-Thesis is a full-time professional program that focuses on the contemporary practice of genetic counselling and adapts to future developments in the dynamic field of medical genetics and genomics.
Required Courses (48 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HGEN 600D1 | Genetic Counselling Practicum. | 3 |
Genetic Counselling Practicum. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Designed for students enrolled in the M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling. Students will be taught how to take family histories, read pedigrees and the basic skills required for interviewing patients. Discussions with example cases. Attendance at Genetics Rounds is compulsory. | ||
| HGEN 600D2 | Genetic Counselling Practicum. | 3 |
Genetic Counselling Practicum. Terms offered: Winter 2027 See HGEN 600D1 for course description. | ||
| HGEN 601 | Genetic Counselling Principles. | 3 |
Genetic Counselling Principles. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Theoretical foundations for the contemporary practice of genetic counselling and the role of the genetic counsellor in the health care delivery system. Topics include counselling theory and psychosocial counselling techniques, the clinical genetics evaluation and case management, and professional ethics, conduct and development. | ||
| HGEN 610D1 | Genetic Counselling: Independent Studies. | 3 |
Genetic Counselling: Independent Studies. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Students enrolled in the M.Sc. in Genetic Counselling will become involved in an Independent Studies Project with a staff member. Students will also be responsible for specific assigned readings. | ||
| HGEN 610D2 | Genetic Counselling: Independent Studies. | 3 |
Genetic Counselling: Independent Studies. Terms offered: Winter 2027 See HGEN 610D1 for course description. | ||
| HGEN 617 | Principles of Medical Genetics. | 3 |
Principles of Medical Genetics. Terms offered: Fall 2026, Winter 2027 This course will provide students with an overview of the fundamental principles of medical genetics. Topics will include gene structure and function, inheritance patterns, molecular genetics, population genetics, genetic epidemiology, prenatal diagnosis, developmental genetics and birth defects, cancer, pharmacogenomics, treatment, and ethical and public policy issues. | ||
| HGEN 620 | Introductory Field Work Rotations 1. | 3 |
Introductory Field Work Rotations 1. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Students are required to spend a minimum of 600 hours in field work. They will rotate through the various laboratories (cytogenetics, biochemical/molecular genetics) and clinical settings (prenatal diagnosis, screening, medical genetics) at the Montreal Children's Hospital. | ||
| HGEN 621 | Introductory Field Work Rotations 2. | 6 |
Introductory Field Work Rotations 2. Terms offered: Winter 2027 Students are required to spend a minimum of 600 hours in field work. They will rotate through the various laboratories (cytogenetics, biochemical/molecular genetics) and clinical settings (prenatal diagnosis, screening, medical genetics) at the Montreal Children's Hospital. | ||
| HGEN 630D1 | Advanced Field Work Rotations. | 6 |
Advanced Field Work Rotations. Terms offered: Fall 2026 Students are required to spend a minimum of 600 hours in advanced clinical work. Students will rotate through the Division of Medical Genetics at the Montreal Children's Hospital, in some of its disease-oriented clinics and screening programs; at the Neurogenetics Unit of the Montreal Neurological Hospital; and the Medical Genetics Divisions at the adult hospitals (Montreal General Hospital, Royal Victoria Hospital and the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital). | ||
| HGEN 630D2 | Advanced Field Work Rotations. | 6 |
Advanced Field Work Rotations. Terms offered: Winter 2027 See HGEN 630D1 for course description. | ||
| HGEN 640 | Second Year Practicum 1. | 3 |
Second Year Practicum 1. Terms offered: Fall 2026 This course aims to further develop the practical skills required for the contemporary practice of genetic counseling. Areas of skill development will include multiculturalism, counseling issues relevant to specific patient populations, and more advanced risk assessment, psychosocial counseling techniques and problem solving. | ||
| HGEN 641 | Second Year Practicum 2. | 3 |
Second Year Practicum 2. Terms offered: Winter 2027 This course aims to further develop the practical skills required for the contemporary practice of genetic counselling. Areas of skill development will include multiculturalism, counselling issues relevant to specific patient populations, and more advanced risk assessment, psychosocial counselling techniques and problem solving. | ||
| IPEA 503 | Navigating Disagreement in Interprofessional Teams | 0 |
Navigating Disagreement in Interprofessional Teams Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Introduction to navigating team differences and disagreements in interprofessional health care settings through case-based learning experiences. Psychological safety, mutual respect, and shared decision-making contributing to effective team functioning. Proactive approaches to address sources of disagreement, prevent escalation, foster cooperative dialogue, and leverage conflict to strengthen team cohesion, support problem-solving, and enhance collaboration. | ||
| PATH 653 | Reading and Conference. | 3 |
Reading and Conference. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Cytogenetics is the science and art of making and analyzing chromosome preparations. This course focuses on human chromosomes, although methodologies and principles apply broadly to other species as well. Basic facts and mysteries about chromosomes will be explained and discussed in the light of clinical examples. | ||