PhD in Medical and Molecular Genetics Curriculum

For IBMG students, year one consists for required coursework and electives, including at least three laboratory rotations for credit (G718). At the end of the first year of IBMG, students selecting Medical and Molecular Genetics (MMGE) register for summer coursework or research credit hours as an incoming MMGE PhD student. In the fall semester of the second year, students complete the core coursework requirements for MMGE PhD degree, including the qualifying examination process to reach candidacy. Year 3 and beyond are typically spent completing the dissertation research.

All MMGE PhD students are required to take at least 12 coursework hours in Medical and Molecular Genetics from the following course groups.

Required Medical and Molecular Genetics Core Courses

Q625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1cr), Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3cr), Q640 Special Topics in MMGE (1cr), and Q660 Medical and Molecular Genetics Seminar presentation (1cr counts towards genetics requirements).
MMGE-Related Open Admission Elective Modules

G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics, G725 Gene Therapy, G727 Animal Models of Human Disease (1 credit each) or any other advanced course offerings in the department (courses with a “MGEN-Q” prefix in the course number).

Other Acceptable Course

G716 Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 credits), G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics and Systems Biology (2 credits), B651 and B652 (Biostatistics I and II, 3 credits each), G788 Next Generation Sequencing, and G890 Methods in Molecular Biology and Pathology (3 credits).

Required: Medical Genetics Core Courses	Q625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1 cr.) Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3 cr.) Q640 Special Topics in MMGE (1 cr.) Q660 Medical and Molecular Genetics Seminar presentation (1 cr. counts towards genetics requirements)
Any of the five MMGE-related open admission elective modules	G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics G725 Gene Therapy G726 Developmental Genetics G727 Animal Models of Human Disease G746 Chromosome Instability and Disease (currently inactive), 1 credit each Any other advanced course offerings in the department (with a “Q” prefix in the course number).
Other acceptable courses for the MMGE requirement include	G716 Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 cr.) G720 Stem Cell Biology (2 cr.) G848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics (2 cr.) G651 and G652 Biostatistics I and II (3 cr. each) G788 Next Generation Sequencing G890 Methods in Molecular Biology and Pathology (3 cr.)

Transfer Credit

A student with prior graduate training may transfer up to 30 hours of non-research courses with a grade of at least a “B” with approval of the Advisory Committee and the Graduate School.

Year One

Fall Semester
Spring Semester

G715 Biomedical Science I: Biochemical Basis of Biological Processes (3 credits)
G655 Skills – Research Communications Seminar (1 credit)
G716 Biomedical Science II: Molecular Biology and Genetics (3 credits)
G718 Research in Biomedical Science (2nd rotation) (2 credits)
G717 Biomedical Science III: Cellular Basis of Systems Biology (3 credits)
G718 Research in Biomedical Science (3rd rotation) (2 credits)
G718 Research in Biomedical Science (1st rotation) (2 credits)
G724 Molecular Cancer Genetics – 1 cr.
Plagiarism online tutorial before first rotation
G725 Gene Transfer Approaches to Clinical and Basic Research (1 credit)

Select a research mentor

Research Safety Courses

G726 Developmental Genetics (1 credit)
G727 Animal Models in Disease (1 credit)
G XXX Minor Elective(s) (2 credits)
Summer Semester

Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 4 cr.

Year Two

Fall Semester
Spring Semester

G505 The Responsible Conduct of Research – 1 cr. (or G504 Introduction to Research Ethics – 2 cr.)
Qualifying Exam Part I (Written Comprehensive Exam)
G855 Research Biostatistics – 1 cr. (or G651 Biostatistics I – 3 cr.)
Prepare for Qualifying Exam Part II (Written Proposal and Defense)
Q625 Introduction to Clinical Genetics (1 cr., 1st 5 weeks)*
G XXX Minor Elective(s) – 1-5 cr.
Q580 Basic Human Genetics (3cr.)
Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters)
Q640 Special Topics in MMGE (1 cr.)
Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester
Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester
Summer Semester

Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 4 cr. minimum

Year Three

Q800 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester
Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters)
Complete Qualifying Exam Part II (Written Proposal and Defense)

Years Four and Five

Q800/G901 Independent Research in Medical Genetics – 1-12 cr. per semester
Q660 Medical Genetics Seminar (1 cr. each Fall/Spring semesters until 90 credits)
Defend and Submit Dissertation

24 credits of didactic coursework total are needed for PhD (major genetics courses and minor electives)
90 credits total (including independent research credits) are needed for graduation.

Curriculum for MD/PhD Dual Degree Program

MD/PhD students are not required to take G715-G717 but are required to perform research laboratory rotations for credit. MD/PhD students must complete 12 credit hours in genetics-related courses, including the required core Medical and Molecular Genetics PhD courses in the fall as well as the seminar presentation for one credit. MD/PhD students are also required to complete the requirements for a minor. In the case of combined MD/PhD students, up to 30 hours of non-clinical medical courses may apply toward the PhD degree with approval of the student’s committee and the Graduate School.