Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biomedical Science Core | ||
| PIB 700 | Journal Club | 1 |
| PIB 701 | Introduction to Biomedical Sciences | 5 |
| PIB 702 | Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| PIB 705 | Biostatistics for the Biosciences | 3 |
| PIB 731 | Laboratory Research | 1-5 |
| PIB 780 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| PIB 782 | Professional Development: Skills for Success I | 1 |
| PIB 783 | Professional Development: Skills for Success II | 1 |
| PIB 785 | PIBS Bioinformatics Workshop | 1 |
| PIB 830 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1 |
| Human Genetics & Genomics Required Courses | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 630 | Variation and Disease ((taken during PIBS year)) | 2 |
| HGG 631 | Genes in Populations | 3 |
| HGG 640 | Family Studies and Genetic Analysis ((taken during PIBS year)) | 2 |
| HGG 660 | Bioinformatics Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HGG 680 | Genome Ethics and Public Policy | 3 |
| HGG 681 | Human Genetics Clinical Rotation | 1 |
| HGG 689 | Human Genetics and Genomics Teaching Practicum | 1 |
| Computational / Molecular Track Course Requirements 2 | 3-6 | |
| Design and Analysis of Human Genomic Studies 3 | ||
| Biostatistics II 3 | ||
| Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics 4 | ||
| Research Credits | 18-24 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | ||
| Research in Residence | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 55-68 | |
- 1
HGG 601 is required for all HGG students - 1 semester credit each fall and spring semester.
- 2
All students must complete course requirements for either Computational or Molecular track.
- 3
HGG 621 / EPH 602: Required for Computational Track students only (may be taken as elective otherwise).
- 4
HGG 650: Required for Molecular Track students only (may be taken as elective otherwise)..
- *
The molecular track requires a minimum of 62 credits. The computational track requires a minimum of 65 credits.
Program Plan
The PhD in Human Genetics and Genomics (HGG) curriculum allows candidates to pursue a track in molecular or computational genetics by their second year of training; however, all students complete a core curriculum in the first three years of graduate study. Students will also participate in seminars and journal clubs in the fall and spring semesters, through all years of study.
First-year students interested in Human Genetics and Genomics are strongly encouraged to take two introductory HGG short courses in the spring semester: HGG 630 – Variation and Disease and HGG 640 – Family Studies and Genetic Analysis which are requirements for completing the HGG degree. Courses in computational / quantitative skills, including biostatistics and bioinformatics will also form part of the first year PIBS curriculum. Each PIBS student completes at least three lab rotations of nine weeks each and chooses a dissertation laboratory (and graduate program) during the latter half of the spring semester. If necessary a fourth rotation may be possible, and in this case a laboratory choice may be deferred until June. All first year students will make short presentations to a group of faculty after each lab rotation. For these presentations the students will be divided into four groups with related research interests.
After choosing a mentor and laboratory at the end of the first year, a student becomes a member of the HGG Program. Students select and follow a track in molecular genetics or computational genetics in the first semester of year 2. At this point course requirements differ slightly between these two paths: Students in the molecular genetics track take Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics (HGG 650) in the second semester, while the computational genetics track students take a second course in biostatistics (EPH 602) and a course in Design and Analysis of Human Genomic Studies (HGG 621).
In addition to the required core courses, all students participate in a clinical rotation and serve one semester as a teaching assistant for a core course any time after passing the Qualifying Examination.
It is expected that on average, students will complete the program in five years. Please review the complete course descriptions on the COURSE tab above. The general core curriculum is shown in the Plan of Study below:
Plan of Study - Molecular Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PIB 701 | Introduction to Biomedical Sciences | 1-5 |
| PIB 702 | Scientific Reasoning | 1-3 |
| PIB 731 | Laboratory Research ( (1 credit per lab rotation)) | 2 |
| PIB 700 | Journal Club | 1 |
| PIB 780 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| PIB 782 | Professional Development: Skills for Success I | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7-13 | |
| Spring | ||
| PIB 700 | Journal Club | 1 |
| PIB 705 | Biostatistics for the Biosciences | 3 |
| PIB 731 | Laboratory Research | 1-2 |
| PIB 783 | Professional Development: Skills for Success II | 1 |
| HGG 630 | Variation and Disease (HGG program short course - Spring I) | 2 |
| HGG 640 | Family Studies and Genetic Analysis (HGG program short course - Spring II) | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 10-11 | |
| Summer | ||
| PIB 830 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 631 | Genes in Populations | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 650 | Advanced Topics in Molecular Genetics (Molecular Track Requirement) | 3 |
| HGG 660 | Bioinformatics Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 680 | Genome Ethics and Public Policy | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 681 | Human Genetics Clinical Rotation (Can be completed anytime after passing QE and Admission to Candidacy is achieved (Year 3, 4, or 5)) | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 689 | Human Genetics and Genomics Teaching Practicum (Can be completed anytime after passing QE and Admission to Candidacy is achieved (Year 3, 4, or 5)) | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| HGG 850 | Research in Residence (Final Semester) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56-63 | |
Plan of Study - Computational Track
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| PIB 701 | Introduction to Biomedical Sciences | 1-5 |
| PIB 702 | Scientific Reasoning | 1-3 |
| PIB 731 | Laboratory Research ( (1 credit per lab rotation)) | 2 |
| PIB 700 | Journal Club | 1 |
| PIB 780 | Research Ethics | 1 |
| PIB 782 | Professional Development: Skills for Success I | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 7-13 | |
| Spring | ||
| PIB 700 | Journal Club | 1 |
| PIB 705 | Biostatistics for the Biosciences | 3 |
| PIB 731 | Laboratory Research | 1-2 |
| PIB 783 | Professional Development: Skills for Success II | 1 |
| HGG 630 | Variation and Disease (HGG program short course - Spring I) | 2 |
| HGG 640 | Family Studies and Genetic Analysis (HGG program short course - Spring II) | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 10-11 | |
| Summer | ||
| PIB 830 | Doctoral Dissertation | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 621 | Design and Analysis of Human Genomic Studies ((Computational Track Requirement)) | 3 |
| HGG 631 | Genes in Populations | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 660 | Bioinformatics Theory and Practice | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| EPH 602 | Biostatistics II (Computational Track Requirement) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 680 | Genome Ethics and Public Policy | 3 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 830 | Doctoral Dissertation - Pre-Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 681 | Human Genetics Clinical Rotation (Can be completed anytime after passing QE and Admission to Candidacy is achieved (Year 3, 4, or 5)) | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 689 | Human Genetics and Genomics Teaching Practicum (Can be completed anytime after passing QE and Admission to Candidacy is achieved (Year 3, 4, or 5)) | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Summer | ||
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| HGG 601 | Seminar/Journal Club | 1 |
| HGG 840 | Doctoral Dissertation - Post Candidacy | 2 |
| HGG 850 | Research in Residence (Final Semester) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 59-66 | |
Mission
The Interdepartmental PhD Program in Human Genetics and Genomics (HGG) aims to train scientists broadly in areas of human genetics and genomics relevant to human health and disease. Human genetics is a multidisciplinary field that requires training in three core competencies: clinical, molecular, and statistical genetics. This broad training differentiates human genetics graduate programs from other programs in molecular biology, biochemistry, epidemiology, or statistics that focus training on one of the three core areas. The mission of the HGG is to prepare the next generation of genomic scientists to conduct research in molecular, statistical and clinical genetics and to translate these research results into improved medical care and public health interventions.
Goals
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an overall knowledge and understanding of the core concepts in Human Genetics and Genomics, including the essential skills to conduct research in Human Genetics and Genomics.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, the capability to develop hypotheses, and the ability to evaluate their hypotheses, paying attention to responsible conduct of research as appropriate.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to write effective scientific reports and to present scientific results orally.
