Genetics Program Subtrack: Computational Genetics
Current Faculty
Current Students
Curriculum
Biosciences Program
About the Program

The University of Iowa Genetics Graduate Program is a broad-based discipline that incorporates cutting-edge techniques to answer the foremost questions facing biology, medicine, evolution, and bioinformatics.

Schedule of Courses
Genetics Courses offered Spring 2008
Genetics Courses offered Fall 2008
Student Manual
Handbook of Student Guidelines and procedures (revised May 21, 2008)
Flexible Curriculum
A combination of core and elective courses together with hands-on laboratory experience provide a strong base for Ph.D. thesis research.  A newly established Computational Genetics Subtrack brings state-of-the-art computer technology to the study of modern Genetics.
Teaching Experience  
All students have an opportunity to teach in small group and classroom settings.  Workshops promote communication and presentation skills.
Full Financial Support
All qualified applications will receive tuition scholarships plus a yearly stipend either as National Institutes of Health trainees or as research assistants.  All students are required to do some teaching as part of their training.
Broad Research Opportunities
 Areas of emphasis include Computational Genetics, Developmental Genetics, Gene Expression, Human Genetics, Molecular and Biochemical Genetics and Evolutionary Genetics.
Enthusiastic and Well-trained Faculty
Forty five faculty members are members of the Genetics Ph.D. mentor group.  Their interests represent all areas of modern Genetics research.
Cohesive Graduate Student Community  
Approximately 40 graduate students pursuing Ph.D. training.  An active seminar and workshop program, annual retreats and social functions unite the students into a collegial group.
State-of-the-Art Facilities  
The University of Iowa provides modern laboratory, classroom and seminar facilities on a 100% internet wired campus. Core Facilities
How to Apply 
Prospective students should have a strong undergraduate science background and a strong commitment to research in genetics.  Previous coursework should include general genetics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, introductory physics and mathematics.  However, deficiencies can be made up during the first year as a graduate student.    Applications to the Genetics PhD Program are submitted via the Biosciences Centralized Application System . Our electronic application system streamlines the admissions process for 13 PhD training program, including the Genetics PhD Program.

The electronic application system transmits your file directly to the Genetics PhD Program Admission Committee for evaluation.

This application is FREE.

For best consideration, please submit completed applications by January 15th.

Applications received after January 15th will be considered on a rolling basis.

Information regarding application procedures, entrance requirements, financial support, and the Iowa City community can be found at the Biosciences Centralized Application System web site.
Financial Aid
Full-time Program students receive stipend and full tuition scholarship support through fellowship and research assistant awards.  Awards are renewed annually, based on continued satisfactory progress and availability of funds.  For 2002-03, the standard Program stipend for graduate students is $21,000.  University of Iowa Presidential Fellowships, awarded on a competitive basis to incoming UI graduate students, provide entry-level stipends of $21,000 per year.  For additional funding information try also Funding Sources Information on other forms of financial aid, including student loans, may be obtained by writing to:
Office of Student Financial Aid
Room 208 Calvin Hall
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa  52242
Curriculum
Courses Required as Prerequisites
  Biochemistry   3-8 s.h.
    (99:110 or 99:120 and 99:130 or equivalent)  
  Organic Chemistry (2 semesters) 6-8 s.h.
  Fundamental Genetics 3-4 s.h.
  Introductory Physics, one year, college level 6-8 s.h.
  Calculus or Statistics, one year of either 6-8 s.h.
Courses Required for all Genetics Ph.D. Students
  127:150 Genetic Analysis of Biological Systems1 3 s.h.
  156:201 Principles in Molecular and Cell Biology 4 s.h.
  2:131 Evolution or 4 s.h.
  2:168 Genes and Development or 3 s.h.
  127:191 Human Molecular Genetics 3 s.h.
  127:200 Special Topics in Genetics (required of pre-comps students; counts toward 5 required seminar hours)
 		 1 s.h.
Electives (8 s.h. chosen from the following)2,3
  2:131 Evolution3 4 s.h.
  2:162 Molecular Evolution and Population Genetics 3 s.h.
  2:168 Genes and Development3 3 s.h.
  2:205 Graduate Lectures in Genetics 1 s.h.
  33:153 Hard Cases Science Policy and Values. Implications of the Human Genome Project 3 s.h.
  61:268 Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis of Animal Viruses 3 s.h.
  171:263 Statistical Genetics 3 s.h.
  171:265 Advanced Topics in Genetic Data Analysis 3 s.h.
  70:110 Genetics for First-Year Medical Students 2 s.h.
  127:191 Human Molecular Genetics3 3 s.h.
  127:170 Bioinformatics I: Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 s.h.
  51:123 Bioinformatics II: Techniques and Tools 3 s.h.
  127:173 Bioinformatics III: Computational Genomics 3 s.h.
  xx:xxx Bioinformatics IV: Statistics of Bioinformatics 3 s.h.
  142:210 Prokaryotic Molecular Biology 3 s.h.
  142:215 Molecular Biology of Gene Expression 3 s.h.
  142:220 Cell Biology I 3 s.h.
  142:225 Cell Biology II 3 s.h.
1 Must satisfy this requirement during the first year as a graduate student. In exceptional cases, credit will be allowed at the discretion of the Graduate Affairs Committee for an equivalent advanced course taken previously.
2 Must be taken as a graduate student.
3 The same course cannot be used to satisfy a requirement in part B and the elective requirement in part C.
Seminars (5 s.h. chosen from the following)2,4
  2:164 Topics in Plant Molecular Biology 1-2 s.h.
  2:172 Topics in Molecular Genetics 2 s.h.
  2:176 Topics in Eukaryotic Molecular Biology 2 s.h.
  2:234 Seminar in Writing in the Natural Sciences 2 s.h.
  2:271 Seminar in Cell Physiology-Translation 2 s.h.
  61:250 Topics: Bacterial Molecular Pathogenesis 2 s.h.
  72:245 Developmental Neurobiology 2 s.h.
  99:237 Topics in Biochemistry (must be taught by Genetics faculty) 1 s.h.
  127:200 Special Topics in Genetics (required of pre-comps students) 1 s.h.
  127:205 Topics in Human Genetics 1-2 s.h.
Ethics Workshop (taken during the first year)
  000:270 Ethics and Responsible Conduct in Research 1 s.h.
ESL Requirement for Foreign Students

Effective with students entering Fall 1997, all foreign students for which an English proficiency evaluation is required must pass to the "B" level on the "University Request for Evaluation for TA Certification" form by the end of their 2nd year. If the student does not, they will be considered to be making insufficient progress and can be terminated. They will need to petition to the Executive Committee to continue, but there will be no guarantee that they will be allowed to do so.

 

Home

About the Program

Prospective Students

   Apply Online

Courses

Handbook

Brochure

Seminar Series

Faculty

Students

Alumni

Sources of Funding

Summer Undergrad
  Program

Contact

Division of Sponsored Programs for Graduate Students