Interdepartmental Genetics Graduate Program - M.S./Ph.D.

Curriculum

Doctor of Philosophy

All Ph.D. candidates take a core curriculum comprising one course each from the following four categories and attend seminars, workshops, and approved activites as described.

• I. Transmission Genetics (GDCB 510)
• II. Molecular Genetics (GDCB 511 or BBMB 502)
• III. Biochemistry (BBMB 404 or BBMB 501).
• IV. Quantitative, Population OR Evolutionary Genetics (QPE)
  • ANSCI/Agron 561--Population and Quantitative Genetics for Breeding
  • EEOB 562--Evolutionary Genetics
  • EEOB 563--Molecular Phylogenetics
  • EEOB 566--Molecular Evolution
  • EEOB 567--Empirical Population Genetics

• Student Research Seminar (GENET 690), taken three times
• Faculty Research Seminar (GENET 691), taken two times
• Workshop in Genetics (GENET 591), taken three times
• Conceptual Foundations of Genetics (GENET 692, taken one time

Students attend approved training in Scientific Ethics and Bioethics. A total of 72 credits is required for a Ph.D. Students will take additional courses of interest, research credits (GENET 699) and courses as directed by their committee members.

Master of Science

M.S. students take the above core courses, seminars, workshops, and activities, but are required to participate in only two Workshops in Genetics (GENET 591) and in only one student research seminar (GENET 690) . 32 credits are required for an M.S. degree in Genetics. Students will take additional courses of interest, research credits (GENET 699) and courses as directed by their committee members.

Minor in Genetics

Students minoring in genetics at the Ph.D. level must meet the following requirements: completion of three of the four categories of required core lecture courses listed above. One semester of seminar in genetics (GENET 690 or 691 or 692) is recommended. One member of the student's Program of Study committee must be an Interdepartmental Genetics faculty member.

Preparation for Graduate Study

Undergraduates wishing to prepare for graduate study in genetics should elect courses in basic biology, chemistry at least through organic chemistry, one year of college-level physics, mathematics at least through calculus, and at least one thorough course in basic transmission and molecular genetics. One year of upper level statistics and a year of biochemistry are strongly encouraged.

Catalog Course Descriptions

ISU Graduate College Course Descriptions
General Catalog Listing
Agron
AnSci
EEOB
GDCB
GENET

Participating Departments

Agronomy

Animal Science

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology

Entomology

Food Science and Human Nutrition

Horticulture

Genetics, Development and Cell Biology

Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Plant Pathology

Statistics

Veterinary Microbiology and Preventive Medicine

Veterinary Pathology