Genomics is an explosively growing biological discipline aimed at understanding structural and functional features of genomes, and how they interact to shape biological processes. The skill to analyze genomic data is a prerequisite for many jobs in biotechnology, and necessary for the pursuit of postgraduate education in a wide variety of biological and biomedical fields.

The certificate program curriculum will introduce students to key concepts in genomics and provide opportunities to develop technical skills through the analysis of high throughput genomic data.

The goals of the program are to:

1. Develop genomic data analysis skills using command-line tools in Linux, R and Python on a high performance computing cluster.
2. Learn to use a suite of tools (Nextflow, Git, Docker and Singularity) to develop workflows, version control code, and enable reproducible analysis.
3. Become familiar with tools and experimental design considerations in from a variety of genomic workflows, including genome assembly, variant detection and differential expression using RNA-seq.
4. Practice communication of analysis results in multiple modalities.

At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of genetic principles, sequencing technologies and genomic data analysis skills to advance research or make clinical diagnostic discoveries.
2. Use best practice analysis methods for reproducibly analyzing, visualizing, and interpreting genomic data.
3. Document and communicate analytic approaches and results to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
4. Learn emerging techniques using skills and knowledge developed in the course as a foundation.

If you have questions about this program, please contact the Program Director, Noah Reid (noah.reid@uconn.edu).

This online graduate certificate program focused on genetics and genomics practice provides students with an independent, yet engaging, series of 100% online courses. The goal of the curriculum targets acquisition of a knowledge base and skill set in clinical genetics and genomics using unique, innovative, and research-proven strategies eliciting engagement and interactivity within the online platform.

Through this online certificate program, you will gain an understanding of:

• The mechanisms by which genetic and genomic variations influence health and contribute to human disease.
• The foundational concepts and application of genetics and genomics in the context of human disease.
• Fundamental mechanisms underlying typical and atypical development related to human embryology and teratology.
• The theoretical framework, skill sets, and applications necessary to provide scientific communication of genetics and genomics, clinical resources, diagnoses, and counseling in the clinical setting.
• The principles, clinical applications, and interpretation of genetic and genomic testing methods.

This is a 12-credit asynchronous online program designed to provide foundational concepts of counseling and health communication theories. Concepts of counseling are applied in varied formats toward creating effective provider-patient or advocate-consumer communication. Skill development will focus on supporting health care discussions and conversations requiring the tactful and effective explanation of genetic and genomic information to patients, their families, and consumers.

The Clinical Communication and Counseling Graduate Certificate will give you the tools and frameworks to:

• Apply counseling methods and helping skills in a genomics context 
• Facilitate healthcare discussions that effectively connect on the individual level
• Develop micro-skills that drive communication and patient/consumer rapport 
• Consider how cultural beliefs influence an individual’s approach to health, illness, and treatment
• Understand how different social approaches to death, dying, and grief affect people’s healthcare decisions