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Genetics

Graduate Program

The program offers a Doctor of Philosophy in genetics.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in genetics requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. The Ph.D. program is designed to promote collaborative investigation and intellectual interaction among students and faculty participants affiliated with several different departments.

Students who enroll in the program are encouraged to obtain a broad background in genetics, including molecular, population, and human genetics. Within this context, course requirements are flexible enough to permit students to tailor their formal course work to their individual needs.

Students have the option to declare a Ph.D. emphasis in computational genetics.

All students enrolled in the program are required to take the following courses.

All of these: 

One of these: 

One of these: 

All of these: 

Even more important than formal course work is the opportunity to do significant research in genetics. Research interests of the participating faculty include virtually all areas of genetics, ranging from bacteriophage genetics to human medical genetics. In each area of genetics, there is a group of faculty members who have closely related interests.

The University is also strong in several related disciplines, including microbial physiology, enzymology, virology, protein biochemistry, computational genetics, and developmental and cell biology, all of which contribute significantly to the overall training program.

In addition to completing research and course work, students must pass a comprehensive examination, usually at the end of their second year in the program.

Ph.D. and Medical Scientist Training Program

Students may combine study toward an M.D. and a Ph.D. in genetics. See Medical Scientist Training Program (Carver College of Medicine) in the Catalog.

Ph.D. and Dental Scientist Training Program

Students with a D.D.S. degree may be candidates for advanced training programs in dentistry. For information, contact the College of Dentistry.

Admission

Prospective doctoral students in genetics should have a strong undergraduate background in science, including courses in general genetics, organic chemistry, biochemistry, introductory physics, and mathematics, as well as a strong commitment to genetic research and teaching. Students can make up deficiencies in a particular area during their first year of graduate study.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Admission to the program is based on assessment of applicants' undergraduate academic records, performance on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, and letters of recommendation. Admission requirements are not rigid. Most students working toward a Ph.D. in genetics at the University have an undergraduate g.p.a. above 3.50, and a combined verbal and quantitative score above 1250 on the GRE General Test. Students with lower grade-point averages or GRE scores may be admitted, depending on prior research experience and other indications of academic potential.

Students generally begin graduate work in the fall semester.

Financial Support

All genetics graduate students receive a financial stipend of $24,250 (academic year 2009-10) plus tuition.

Financial support comes from training grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, individual research grants, or other departmental or college funds. All students are required to do some teaching as part of their development as future scientists and faculty members.

Associated Courses

The following courses provide credit toward the Ph.D. in genetics. Not all courses are offered every year.