Interuniversity Certificate in Human Genetics

Human genetics is a relatively young medical discipline which originated in the sixties with the demonstration of chromosomal anomalies in constitutional and acquired disorders. The discipline experienced a rapid growth with the development of DNA analytical methods which enabled the identification of several genetic, mainly monogenic, disorders. At present, human genetics experiences another growth spurt due to the development of genome-wide analysis tools, high capacity mutation detection methods leading towards complete human genome sequencing. This evolution leads to an ever increasing relevance within all medical disciplines. The current technologies not only enable to identify inherited Mendelian disorders, but also increase our understanding of complex diseases. Human genetics not only enables diagnosis, but is leading more and more to improved guidance and treatment.

From this ever increasing importance and complexity, the Belgian Society of Human Genetics identified the need for a course which provides a theoretical basis for human genetics at a postdoctoral level. The members of the society represent the eight Belgian human genetics centers as well as scientists and professionals involved in human genetics.

The postgraduate course in human genetics intends to fulfill the need of a growing number of professions in which a full theoretical basis of all aspects of human genetics is useful or required. In the industry, health care, diagnostics as well as in certain areas of research, such knowledge is needed. Within the Belgian genetics centers, the course will provide a uniform and adequate theoretical basis for all those taking up responsibilities in human genetics-related activities.


ORGANISATION
The course outline is based on the book Genetics in Medicine (Thompson & Thompson, Seventh edition). The course chapters will be tought by representatives of the 8 human genetic centers in Belgium, localized at or associated with 8 different universities.

1. The human genome, chromosomal basis of heredity, molecular tools
2. Single gene inheritance; epigenetics
3. Gene mapping; molecular, biochemical and cellular genetics
4. Cytogenetics; treatment of genetic disease
5. Developmental genetics; cancer genetics
6. Complex inheritance
7. Pharmacogenetics; Birth defects; Immunogenetics
8. Prenatal and preimplantation diagnosis; genetic counseling
9. Personal work on a comprehensive topic > additional work in Human Genetics (2 ECTS) = MANDATORY

EVALUATION AND CERTIFICATE
To obtain the certificate in human genetics the candidate will take an examination at the end of the course program. This written test will cover the different topics presented during the course. It will consist of 30-60 questions with multiple choices, no negative mark, but a correction for random errors (correct for 4/20 if randomly answering the 5 proposals of each question). Students obtaining 10/20 or more will pass. The jury is composed of the Program Organizing Committee (POC) which includes eight members, representing each Belgian Center of Human Genetics. The certificate will be approved by the BeSHG and will be delivered by the University at which the student registered.


CREDIT POINTS (ECTS)
The course entails 60 contact hours + exercises in human genetics. The total course sums up to 10 ECTS (credit points)