Allelic
Certified Course

Prenatal Genetics

A competency-driven certified course for fetal medicine, obstetrics, and clinical genetics practice

12 Hours · 6 Core Modules · 12 CPD Hours · Hybrid · 5 Specialists

Enquire Now

Request course details

Course Overview

This 12-hour Certified Course in Prenatal Genetics is a focused, competency-driven program tailored for clinicians and allied healthcare professionals working in fetal medicine, obstetrics, and clinical genetics. The curriculum is anchored around three pillars — the genetics underlying congenital abnormalities detected in a fetal medicine setup, the genetic testing methodologies available across the prenatal pathway, and the principles and practice of prenatal genetic counselling. Foundational genetics, applied bioethics, and the Indian regulatory framework (PCPNDT and MTP Acts) are woven in to enable safe, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive practice.

The program is delivered through a hybrid model that blends pre-recorded didactic lectures, faculty-led live webinars, image and report review sessions, simulated counselling role plays, and an integrated case-based learning capstone. Participants who meet all assessment criteria are awarded the Certificate in Prenatal Genetics, recognized for 12 CPD hours.

Programme Goals

  • Recognize the genetic basis of common and clinically significant congenital abnormalities encountered in a fetal medicine setting
  • Select and appropriately request prenatal screening and diagnostic tests based on indication, gestational age, and prior probability
  • Interpret the outputs of biochemical screening, cell-free DNA (cfDNA / NIPT), karyotype, FISH, QF-PCR, chromosomal microarray (CMA), and exome sequencing in the prenatal context
  • Conduct a structured, non-directive prenatal genetic counselling session including pedigree analysis, risk communication, and shared decision-making
  • Apply the ethical, legal (PCPNDT, MTP), and cultural framework relevant to prenatal genetic practice in India
  • Function as an effective member of a multidisciplinary fetal medicine team
Who It's For

Target Audience

  • Obstetricians, Gynecologists, and Fetal Medicine Specialists
  • Medical Geneticists and Clinical Genetics trainees
  • Practicing Genetic Counselors seeking focused prenatal certification
  • Sonologists and Radiologists practicing fetal imaging
  • Postgraduate students in OBGYN, Pediatrics, Genetics, or Genetic Counselling
  • Senior nursing staff and allied health professionals attached to fetal medicine units
Prerequisites

Eligibility & Requirements

Academic Eligibility

  • MBBS or equivalent medical degree (for clinicians, sonologists, and trainees)
  • MD / DNB / DGO / MS in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Radiology, or Pathology (preferred for advanced track)
  • MSc in Genetics, Human Genetics, Genetic Counselling, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, or Life Sciences
  • BSc in Nursing or Allied Health Sciences with at least one year of clinical exposure (case-by-case review)
  • Final-year postgraduate students from any of the above streams

Recommended Pre-Course Knowledge

  • Working understanding of Mendelian inheritance, basic chromosome biology, and cell division
  • Familiarity with the standard antenatal visit schedule and first/second-trimester ultrasound milestones
  • Basic competence with medical English communication
  • Awareness of the PCPNDT Act, 1994 (at the level of an undergraduate community medicine refresher)

Technical Requirements

  • A laptop or desktop with a stable internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps)
  • A working webcam and microphone for live webinars and role-play sessions
  • A modern browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox — latest two versions)
  • Access to a PDF reader for review of de-identified clinical reports
Faculty

Who teaches this course

All sessions are taught by senior clinicians and counselors actively engaged in prenatal diagnosis, fetal medicine, and clinical genetics practice. Each faculty member contributes both technical depth and counselling sensitivity to the modules they lead.

Dr. Kaushik Mandal

Medical Geneticist

Module 1 (Foundations of Genetics) · Module 3 (Cytogenetic & Molecular Testing Methodologies) · Module 5 (Legal & Ethical Frameworks) · Final Assessment Lead

Dr. Ananya Basu

Fetal Medicine Specialist

Module 2 (Sonographic Markers & Structural Anomalies) · Module 3 (NIPT and Biochemical Screening) · Module 6 (Integrated Case Conferences)

Dr. Kushgradhi Ghosh

Fetal Medicine Specialist

Module 2 (Genetics of Congenital Anomalies by Organ System) · Module 3 (Invasive Diagnostic Procedures – CVS, Amniocentesis, Cordocentesis) · Module 6 (Fetal Anomaly Case Reviews)

Dr. Dipanjana Dutta

Consultant Genetic Counselor

Module 4 (Principles of Prenatal Genetic Counselling) · Module 5 (Ethical Dimensions) · Module 6 (Counselling Viva Evaluation)

Ms. Upasana Mukherjee

Consultant Genetic Counselor & Course Director

Module 4 (Communication Skills, Pedigree Analysis & Delivering Difficult News) · Module 6 (Simulated Counselling Sessions) · Role-Play Facilitation

Curriculum

Modules at a glance

6 Core Modules across 12 hours — combining recorded learning, live faculty sessions, and applied assessment.

Dr. Kaushik Mandal

This opening module establishes the genetic vocabulary, principles, and frameworks that the remainder of the course rests upon. It is intentionally compact and pitched at the level of a clinician returning to genetics after several years away from formal study.

Assessment: End-of-module MCQ (10 Qs)

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the central dogma and the molecular basis of variation
  • Apply Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance patterns to family pedigrees
  • Distinguish numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities and their phenotypic correlates
  • Define key terms: penetrance, expressivity, mosaicism, imprinting, anticipation, VUS

Topics Covered

  • Refresher on DNA, chromosomes, and gene expression; the human karyotype (ISCN nomenclature in brief)
  • Mendelian inheritance — autosomal dominant and recessive, X-linked, Y-linked, codominance, incomplete penetrance, variable expressivity
  • Non-Mendelian inheritance — mitochondrial inheritance, imprinting (Prader-Willi, Angelman), uniparental disomy, anticipation, germline and somatic mosaicism
  • Chromosomal abnormalities — aneuploidies, polyploidy, deletions, duplications, inversions, balanced and unbalanced translocations, isochromosomes, ring chromosomes
  • Genetics of fetal development — gametogenesis, fertilization, embryogenesis, and critical developmental windows
  • Quick orientation to the prenatal pipeline — screening vs. diagnosis, the role of the genetic counsellor, and the multidisciplinary team

Enquire Now

Request course details

Assessment & Certification

How you're evaluated

Successful participants receive the Certificate in Prenatal Genetics, recognized for 12 CPD hours, co-signed by the faculty panel and the Course Director, Ms. Upasana Mukherjee.

Module MCQ Quizzes (1–5)

25%

Short MCQ at the end of Modules 1–5 (total ~55 questions). Tests conceptual recall and clinical reasoning. Online, timed.

Report Interpretation Exercise

15%

One take-home exercise after Module 3: interpret an NIPT report and a CMA report and write a one-paragraph counselling summary for each.

Counselling Role-Play / Viva

30%

20-minute simulated counselling session with a standardized patient scenario, assessed by two faculty on a structured rubric: communication, accuracy, empathy, professionalism.

Capstone Case Write-Up

20%

1,000–1,200 word structured analysis of one of the two capstone cases — clinical reasoning, choice of testing, counselling approach, and ethical-legal handling.

Final Viva

10%

10-minute oral examination by Dr. Kaushik Mandal covering integration across Modules 1–5.

Passing Criteria

  • Minimum aggregate score of 60% required for certification
  • Minimum 50% must be achieved in the Counselling Role-Play / Viva component independently — this cannot be averaged out
  • All five module quizzes must be attempted; a maximum of one quiz may be re-taken once
  • The Final Viva must be passed (≥50%)
  • Participants who narrowly fail (55–59%) may opt for a one-time reassessment of the failed components within 30 days
Materials & Support

What you receive

  • Curated reader on chromosome structure, nomenclature, and common aneuploidies
  • Standardized Indian PCPNDT documentation templates
  • Sample NIPT, microarray, karyotype, and exome reports for orientation
  • Pre-recorded lectures and reading packs — available on the learning portal for 12 months post-completion
  • Deidentified sample reports — biochemical, NIPT, karyotype, CMA, exome
  • Counselling rubric and a structured prenatal session checklist
  • PCPNDT Form F and MTP documentation templates
  • Access to the alumni discussion forum for ongoing case discussion and Q&A with faculty
  • Letter of recommendation available from the faculty panel based on performance

Empowering compassionate, evidence-based prenatal care — one practitioner at a time.

Ready to enrol?

Get the full curriculum details or speak with the Allelic Academy team about the next cohort.

Early Access

Be first to access Allelic

Join 500+ early adopters. Get priority access when we launch — and lock in early-bird pricing.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We respect your privacy.