Newly Approved GMS Courses

The goal of this course is to provide students a fundamental knowledge of Biostatistics and practical experience in coding using the R software. This course familiarizes students with the basic concepts of Biostatistics, with the goal of understanding the study design and the appropriate statistical methods that are appropriate to use to evaluate their research hypotheses as well as different tools for data reporting. This course will be taught by a trained Biostatistician with extensive expertise in study design and data analysis.

The course is enhanced by including dedicated sessions in R so students can learn the basics of coding with the R software, providing them with hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply the theoretical concepts they were taught in previous sessions so they are able to conduct their own research.

GMS BN 780: Stress & Trauma (Spring ’21)
This course provides an overview of theory and research on stress and trauma, with attention to biological, psychological, and social factors. Special emphasis placed on gender issues, developmental factors, psychopathology, and physical health.

GMS FC 715: Translational Genetics & Genomics (Spring ’21)
Modern human genetics has evolved at a tremendous pace, with the promise of an affordable complete genome sequence for every individual just around the corner. While the raw information has increased exponentially, its translation to patient care has not kept pace. We will discuss exciting recent advances in human genetics and genomics, with illustrative examples of their translation into improvements in diagnosis and treatment of patients. We will also discuss ethical and societal challenges of this rapidly evolving field. Our course is aimed at first or second year Ph.D. students, and will be taught by faculty in a variety of departments through traditional lectures and discussion sections. Students will be evaluated on their ability to explain the translational research process and demonstrate how individual research findings build on one another to move a field forward to ultimately impact patient care.

GMS FC 717: Physiology of Specialized Cells (Spring ’21)
This course is one of the elective course modules (Module V) of the Foundations in Biomedical Sciences curriculum. Knowledge of cellular and molecular physiology is critical to understanding the higher order of functioning of tissues, organs, and organs systems. The objective of the course is to discuss the specialized adaptations of cells that help them to function in their respective tissues and organs. This course will also provide a framework to bridge the gap between the biochemistry and the molecular and cellular biology that students have acquired in the core modules (I through IV) and organ physiology and pharmacology that will be addressed in the second year.

GMS GC 712: Genetic Counseling Fieldwork II (Spring ’21)
The clinical and non-clinical fieldwork will provide student interaction with a wide array of genetic specialists. Direct patient contact in prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer, and specialty genetics clinics will allow students to acquire cases for ABGC certification.

GMS MH 715: Professional Orientation and Ethics (Spring ’21)
This course provides an orientation to the clinical mental health counseling profession, including the history and foundations of clinical mental health counseling, developing a professional identity, review of the settings and systems where clinical mental health counselors provide services, emergency preparedness, models of clinical supervision, professional organizations and licensure, clinical mental health counselor advocacy, preparations for practicum and internship training, and self-care strategies. This course will also cover the ethics of professional counseling, including confidentiality and informed consent, competence and use of supervision, and boundary-setting. The American Counseling Association and American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics, as well as legal requirements, will be reviewed.

GMS MH 803: Advanced Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making (Spring ’21)
This course provides an advanced review of professional ethics governing the field of clinical mental health counseling, to include ethical decision-making, confidentiality and informed consent, competence and supervision, malpractice, self-care, and medical ethics. The course includes a careful review of the American Counseling Association and American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics. The emphasis of the course is on critical thinking and application of ethical principles to ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in the field of clinical mental health counseling.

GMS MH 901: Orientation to Professional Counseling (Spring ’21)
Course description will be provided soon.

GMS MH 719: Global Mental Health Counseling (Spring ’20)
This course will focus on the global burden of mental health needs and the role/function of mental health research and clinical practice. Learners will examine global mental health from a critical lens from the perspectives of anthropologists, mental health counselors and counselor educators. This course has two main components; the didactic portion (online and in class) as well as the study abroad/service learning experience in Barbados over the scheduled Spring Break. In addition to the intensive and immersive cross-cultural experience in Barbados, the course will explore several key issues in global mental health including the challenges of cross-cultural diagnosis, the cultural shaping of emotional distress and mental illness, and the role of power and politics in shaping the identification of and responses to mental health problems. The course will strengthen students’ awareness of the complex issues related to mental health care in diverse international settings. Learners will be asked to think and write critically, reflect upon, and discuss the challenging issues surrounding efforts to expand evidence-based mental health services globally.

After completion of this course, students will be able to:

• • Increase their understanding of mental health through a cross-cultural and global lens.
  • Demonstrate an ability to think critically about global mental health problems.
  • Demonstrate an opportunity to apply and adapt mental health counselling theories to various international populations.
  • Develop and implement trainings for schools and community mental health centers in Barbados.

GMS FA 808: Forensic Trauma Analysis (Fall ’20)
A. Nature of Instructional Activities: Material will be presented in lectures and laboratory sessions, with the latter including practical exercises. The material presented in the readings will also be covered in the examinations.
B. Course Objectives:: This course will introduce the students to forensic trauma analysis and its application in real forensic cases in the US.
C. Competencies: At the completion of this course the students will:

• • • Acquire and demonstrate competence in analysis of blunt force trauma.
    • Acquire and demonstrate competence in analysis of sharp force trauma.
    • Acquire and demonstrate competence in analysis of GSW trauma.