Genomic sciences has two components. Functional genomics, the generation of large bodies of data relating to organism function, encompasses gene discovery, gene expression, protein and nucleic acid structure and function, gene and gene product interactions, and genomic approaches to breeding and comparative studies relevant to ecology and evolutionary biology. Bioinformatics is the analysis of these vast and complex data sets including methods to analyze extremely large sets of genomic information such as DNA sequences and expression from DNA microarrays. Students register in either of these two fields but also receive a solid grounding in the other through core courses common to both programs. Unique and exceptional resources include the Bioinformatics Research Center and the Genome Research Laboratory.

Admission Requirements

Students should have an undergraduate major in the biological or physical sciences, mathematics, statistics or computer science and have completed calculus and other comparable courses. In addition to the other application requirements, a student should submit a statement of interests and career goals.

Master's Degree Requirements

Students take a 15-credit core curriculum of courses common to both programs followed by courses specific to the degree and discipline. The Master's of Bioinformatics requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. The Master's of Functional Genomics requires a minimum of 30 credit hours, and the Master's of Science in Functional Genomics requires a minimum of 36 credit hours.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program requires a total of 72 credits, and all students participate in a journal club, monthly seminar series and research ethics training. A co-mentoring system exists between bioinformatics and functional genomics through which each student has advisors from both disciplines. Throughout the program they will have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Genome Research Laboratory, Bioinformatics Research Center and DNA Sequencing Facility.

Student Financial Support

A significant number of fellowships are available through the genomics program, and students may also be supported by research grant funds awarded to genomics faculty members.

Degrees