Graduate Student Information

Coursework Requirements

The coursework requirements below are only those specific to the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. Program in MCB. The student is referred to the Graduate School catalog and to Departmental information for other requirements that may apply.

In addition to a foundation of knowledge in genetics and genomics (Category I), modern genetics research often requires integrative approaches that include biochemistry and structural biology (Category II), and cell and developmental biology (Category III). Ph.D. candidates in Genetics and Genomics must complete a total of 6 courses from the following list of core courses with a grade of B or higher, and at least one course must come from each of the three categories. This is the basic course requirement for the program, and occurs within the total coursework credits required by the Graduate School . Most students will take additional courses beyond the required 6 to complete total credit requirements by the Graduate School (44-48 total credits, including coursework and research credits).

CATEGORY I. GENETICS AND GENOMICS
*MCB 5454: Molecular Aspects of Genetics (2)
MCB 5426: Genetic Engineering & Functional Genomics (3)
MCB 5621: Molecular Biology & Genetics of Prokaryotes (3)
MCB 5452: Problems in the Genetics of Eukaryotes (3)
MCB 5499: Genetics, Development and Evolution (2)
MCB 3416: Forensic Applications of DNA Science (3)
MCB 5681: Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenicity (3)
MCB 5472: Computer Methods in Molecular Evolution (3)
EEB 5348: Population Genetics (3)

CATEGORY II. BIOCHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
*MCB 5217: Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids and Proteins (3)
MCB 5012: Structural Biochemistry (3)
MCB 5013: Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules (3)
MCB 5299: Structure and Function of Biological Membranes (3)
MCB 5022: Human Disease (3)
MCB 5035: Protein Folding (3)

CATEGORY III. CELLULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
*MCB 5231: Developmental Biol. (3) OR
*MCB 5280: Advanced Cell Biology (3)
MCB 5240: Virology (3)
MCB 5255: Cellular Immunology (3)

ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
GENETICS AND GENOMICS
MCB 5471: Molecular Evolution and Systematics (1)
MCB 5896: Investigation of Special Topics (max 6)
BIOINFORMATICS
STAT 6425: Seminar in Applied Probability (max 6)
CSE 5800/ BME 5800: Bioinformatics (3)
CSE 5095 Special Topics in Computer Science and Engineering (3)
BME 6086 Special Topics In Biomedical Engineering (max 6)
MCB 5896 Investigation of Special Topics (max 6)

* Recommended core courses for the program.