You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine

MEDG: Medical Genetics


  1. MEDG 410 (3) Immunogenetics

    Molecular basis of lymphocyte development, activation and adhesion; immunogenetics and the major histocompatibility complex. Consult the Credit Exclusion list within the Faculty of Science section of the Calendar. [3-0-1]

    Prerequisite: MICB 302 and one of BIOL 334, BIOL 335. A standing of "B" or better is recommended.

    Equivalency: MICB 402.

  2. MEDG 419 (3) Developmental Origin of Human Disorders

    Genetic and epigenetic determinants of development from conception to birth. Topics include development of the neural tube, face, heart, endoderm, blastocyst, embryonic stem cells, gastrulation, genomic imprinting, placental complications, chromosomal abnormalities and prenatal diagnosis. Discussions based on published research articles. [3-0-1]

    Prerequisite: One of BIOL 233, BIOL 234 and one of BIOL 331, BIOL 335. A standing of 'B' or higher recommended.

  3. MEDG 420 (3) Human Genomics and Medical Genetics

    Sequence and structure of the human genome. Human genetic evolution. Identification of genes affecting normal and pathological variation. Molecular mechanisms of genetic diseases and disorders. Medical applications of human genetics. [3-0-0]

    Prerequisite: One of BIOL 335, BIOL 338. A standing of 'B' or higher is recommended, however, higher grades take priority in the registration process.

  4. MEDG 421 (3) Genetics and Cell Biology of Cancer

    Molecular mechanisms of oncogenes and tumor suppressors in cancer biology, methods of and insights from studying cancer genomes, and current topics in cancer research. [3-0-0]

    Prerequisite: BIOL 335 and one of BIOC 302, BIOC 303.

  5. MEDG 448 (3/6) d Directed Studies

    A supervised individual program of study of a topic to be agreed upon by a member of faculty and the student. Permission of the appropriate supervisor and the department head is required.

  6. MEDG 505 (3) Genome Analysis

    Investigation of genetic information as it is organized within genomes, genetic and physical map construction, sequencing technologies, gene identification, database accessing and integration, functional organization of genomes from contemporary, historic and evolutionary perspectives. Recommended pre-requisite: BIOL 234. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

  7. MEDG 510 (3) Advanced Immunogenetics

    Cell-cell interaction, intracellular control mechanisms, analysis of complex physiological systems using transgenic animals and molecular approaches. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

    Equivalency: MICB 502.

  8. MEDG 515 (3) Mammalian Developmental Genetics

    Genetic determination of morphology and differentiation in human and other mammalian embryos. Recommended pre-requisite: BIOL 335. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

  9. MEDG 520 (3) Advanced Human Molecular Genetics

    Gene structure and regulation, genetic and epigenetic variation, genome and epigenome analysis, stem cell genetics, personalized genetics, bioinformatics, pharmacogenetics and genomics. Recommended pre-requisite: BIOL 335. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

  10. MEDG 521 (3) Molecular and Cell Biology of Cancer

    Focuses on molecular and cell biology of cancer through a series of lectures, reviews, student presentations and discussion. Recommended pre-requisites: One of BIOL 234, BIOL 335, BIOC 303, or consent of instructor. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

    Equivalency: PATH 531.

  11. MEDG 525 (3) Medical Population Genetics

    Population genetics, genetic epidemiology and methodology in data analysis applicable to the study of human genes, traits or diseases. Recommended pre-requisite: BIOL 335. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

  12. MEDG 530 (3) Human Genetics

    Human Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance and clinical applications of genetics. Recommended pre-requisite: BIOL 335. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

  13. MEDG 535 (3) Genetics and Ethics

    This course is intended to serve the diverse needs of genetic counselling students, research graduate students in genetics, genetic residents and clinical fellows, other health professional students, and graduate students from other sciences and humanities. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0]

  14. MEDG 540 (3) Seminar

    All seminars will be presented by graduate students in the Department of Medical Genetics. Although students will be encouraged to attend these seminars throughout their graduate studies, credit will only be available for one year. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [2-0]

  15. MEDG 545 (3) Current Topics in Medical Genetics Research

    Critical discussion of current primary research literature in medical genetics. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

  16. MEDG 548 (3-6) c Directed Studies

    A series of laboratory sessions, directed readings and directed counselling interviews related to selected areas of Medical Genetics. This advanced course may be taken upon approval of the department head. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

  17. MEDG 549 (12) M.Sc. Thesis

    Pass/Fail. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

  18. MEDG 550 (6) Concepts in Clinical Genetics for Genetic Counselling

    Practical applications, theories, and principles of medical genetics as they apply to genetic counselling. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [4-0-0]

    Prerequisite: Acceptance into M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.

  19. MEDG 560 (2) Genetic Counselling Seminar

    Medical and genetic interviewing and family history taking; decision making; family dynamics; impact of congenital defects, genetic disease, and chronic disease on individuals and families; support groups and other community resources; computer resources; cross-cultural issues. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [2-0-0]

    Prerequisite: Acceptance into M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.

  20. MEDG 565 (2) Advanced Genetic Counselling Seminar

    Patient attitudes toward genetic counselling; the grieving process in response to pregnancy loss, death, and disability; risk perception, attitudes toward prenatal testing, dealing with results of genetic testing, crisis counselling, giving bad news; ethical dilemmas; legal and professional issues. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [0-2]

    Prerequisite: MEDG 560. And acceptance into M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.

  21. MEDG 570 (3-6) d Introductory Clinical and Laboratory Rotation

    Clinical experience in prenatal procedures and counselling; teratogen counselling. Clinically relevant experience in cytogenetics, molecular, biochemical disease and embryopathology laboratories. Pass/Fail This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [0-5]

    Prerequisite: Acceptance into M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.

  22. MEDG 575 (10) Advanced Clinical Rotation

    In-depth clinical experience in general and prenatal genetic counselling. Pass/Fail This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [0-15]

    Prerequisite: MEDG 570. And acceptance into M.Sc. Genetic Counselling program.

  23. MEDG 580 (3) Genomic Testing and Clinical Bioinformatics

    Annotation, filtering, and candidate variant calling skill development with a clinical focus; yield, benefits, and limitations of genome-wide sequencing. Online. Restricted to students in the Graduate Certificate in Genomic Counselling and Variant Interpretation or others with permission of instructor. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0-0]

  24. MEDG 585 (3) Applied Variant Interpretation

    Human genome-wide sequencing (GWS) variant interpretation, with an emphasis on determining variant pathogenicity and significance in a clinical and research setting. Online. Restricted to students in the Graduate Certificate in Genomic Counselling and Variant Interpretation or others with permission of instructor. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0-0]

    Prerequisite: MEDG 580.

  25. MEDG 590 (3) Evidence-Based Genomic Counselling

    Genomic counselling skills and clinical insights; obtaining informed consent, variant appraisal, incidental and secondary findings, informing results, family communication. Online. Restricted to students in the Graduate Certificate in Genomic Counselling and Variant Interpretation or others with permission of instructor. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0-0]

  26. MEDG 595 (3) Emerging Genomic Topics

    Utility, impacts, and ethical implications of developing genomic applications; multiomics, tumour genomics, pharmacogenomics, population genomics. Online. Restricted to students in the Graduate Certificate in Genomic Counselling and Variant Interpretation or others with permission of instructor. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0-0]

  27. MEDG 596 (6) Advanced Research Topics in Genetic and Genomic Counselling

    Qualitative and quantitative methodology, models of decision making, patient-oriented research, applied ethics, clinical genomics, diversity, privacy, health services, health policy, health economics and practice-based implications. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading. [3-0-0; 3-0-0]

  28. MEDG 649 (0) Doctoral Dissertation

    Pass/Fail. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.

  29. MEDG 702 (0) Clinical Genetics Clinic

    A rotation for three months through the Clinical Genetics Clinic dealing with the techniques of diagnosis and counselling, and of the prenatal diagnoses of genetic disease and genetic counselling relative to congenital malformations and failures of reproduction. This course is not eligible for Credit/D/Fail grading.


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