The Core course requirements for the Ph.D. degree in Human Genetics include HG541, HG542, HG544, HG803, and 4 semesters of HG821/822 (or equivalent student seminar from another department that includes seminar presentation). Statistics is also required and this requirement may be met by any of several statistics classes (see below) or by demonstrating a recent equivalent undergraduate class. Students usually take 9-14 credits per semester in their first two years. Discussion with the Human Genetics academic advisor will tailor each student’s course of study to their individual background and future career goals. Below is a typical academic program for the first 2 years, with a list of some possible electives further down.
Year One
Fall Term
HG 541 – Molecular Genetics
CDB 530 (Cell Biology), Biochem 550 (Macromolecular Structure/Function),
or HG 544 (Population Genetics)
HG 821 – Student Seminar
PIBS 600 – Laboratory Rotation
PIBS 501 – Lab Survival Skills and Ethics
Major course from other departments
Winter Term
HG 542 – Human Genetics
HG 822 – Student Seminar
PIBS 600 – Laboratory Rotation
Major course(s) from other departments (3-6 credits)
Spring Term
PIBS Laboratory Rotation
Year Two
Fall Term
HG 544 - Population Genetics (if not taken the first year)
HG 803 – Research Topics
HG 821 – Student Seminar
HG 990 – Research
Major course(s) from other departments (3-6 credits)
Winter Term
HG 822 – Student Seminar
Pharm 502 - Introduction to Scientific Communication
HG 990 – Research
Major course(s) from other departments (3-6 credits)
Examples of HG Electives and recommended courses from other departments:
(Some of these are not offered every year.)
| HG 650 | Medical Genetics |
| Bioinfo (527) | Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology |
| Biochem (550) | Macromolecular Structure & Function |
| Biochem (591) | Special Topics in Signal Transduction |
| Biostats (553) | Applied Biostatistics |
| CDB (530) | Cell Biology |
| CDB (680/681) | Organogenesis of Complex Tissues |
| Micro (553) | Cancer Biology |
| Micro (615) | Viral Pathogenesis |
| Micro (619) | Special Topics in Micro & Immunology |
| Stats (400) | Applied Statistical Methods (offered fall & winter terms) |
| Stats (425) | Introduction to Probability |
| Stats (500) | Applied Statistics I |
| HG 650 | Medical Genetics |
| Biochem (576) | Signal Transduction |
| Biochem (640) | Post-transcriptional Gene Regulation |
| Biochem (650) | Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Gene Expression |
| Biostats (666) | Statistical Models and Numerical Methods in Human Genetics |
| CDB (580) | Principles of Development (even years) |
| CDB (682/683) | Organogenesis of Complex Tissues |
| Epid (516) | Genomics in Epidemiology |
| MCDB (589) | Mechanisms of Microbial Evolution |
| Micro (504) | Cellular Biotechnology |
| Micro (607) | Microbial Pathogenesis |
| Micro (619) | Special Topics in Microbiology & Immunology |
| Micro (640) | Molecular & Cellular Immunology |
| Path (581) | Tissue, Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease |
| Pharm (502) | Introduction to Scientific Communications |
| Physiol (555) | Integrative Genomics |
| Stats (426) | Introduction to Theoretical Statistics |
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