If you're looking for an exciting learning environment where agronomists, animal scientists, biologists, horticulturists, microbiologists and pathologists work collaboratively to tackle challenging biological questions....... Genetics and Genomics at Iowa State University is where you want to be!

The Interdepartmental Genetics and Genomics (IGG) graduate program offers a flexible and interdisciplinary education, drawing from thirteen participating departments across the university. Our students are trained to address grand challenges in biology and biotechnology, including those related to agriculture, medicine, and environmental science.

This program emphasizes both fundamental research and practical applications, with projects spanning gene regulation, systems biology, developmental genetics, functional genomics, evolutionary genetics, and more. The structure allows students to tailor their education to their interests while benefiting from top-tier faculty and resources.

Minor in Genetics and Genomics

A minor is available for students majoring in a different program. Students minoring in genetics and genomics at the Ph.D. level must meet the following requirements: 

• Completion of three of the four categories of required core lecture courses with a grade of "B" or better.
• One semester of seminar in genetics (GENET 6900 or 6910 or 6920) is recommended.
• One member of the student's Program of Study committee must be an Interdepartmental Genetics and Genomics faculty member.

There is no fee associated with sending in an application for the PhD program (see below for Masters applications), but your application must be complete for review.  If anything is missing then your application will not be reviewed. GRE's are no longer required. You can send them in with your application if you have them.

For guaranteed consideration, your application needs to be received BY December 1st.

Applications received until February 1st MAY still be considered.

There is no Spring admission cycle for the Genetics and Genomics graduate program.

Master's applicants are only admitted if we still have openings after offers are made to PhD applicants or directly admitted with a faculty member. Master's applicants will need to pay the application fee.  

• Admission FAQs
• International Graduate Application Instructions
• U.S Graduate Application Instructions

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Undergraduate Preparation

Undergraduates wishing to prepare for graduate study in Genetics and Genomics should elect courses in basic biology, chemistry at least through organic chemistry, one year of college-level physics, mathematics at least through calculus, at least one thorough course in basic transmission and molecular genetics, one semester of upper level statistics and one semester of upper level biochemistry. Incoming students who have not completed an upper level statistics course and an upper level biochemistry course prior to beginning in the program will take STAT 587 Statistical Methods for Research Workers and BBMB 404 Biochemistry I during their first year of graduate training. A waiver may be requested for these courses by providing appropriate documentation (catalog description and syllabus) to the curriculum committee showing completion of an upper level statistics and upper level biochemistry course equivalent to STAT 587 Statistical Methods for Research Workers and BBMB 404 Biochemistry I.

• See information on a bachelor of science degree in Genetics.
• All Ph.D. candidates take a core curriculum comprising of courses from four categories and attend seminars and workshops as described on the POSC progress form
• GENET Course Information - Iowa State University Courses and Programs