Genetics, Genomics & Cancer Biology PhD Program
Curriculum
The Program is focused on research training which begins in the first year as rotations in different laboratories and continues as the student begins potential thesis projects in a chosen mentor's laboratory. The PhD thesis research involves critical thinking and the execution of ideas in the laboratory through the use of sound scientific methods. Students are guided by their mentors and a selected thesis research committee, which meets on a routine basis throughout the training experience.
In the first year of the program, students complete Foundations in Biomedical Sciences, a course that lays the foundation in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Molecular Biology. They then proceed to basic courses in Genetics, followed by advanced specialized training. Additional credit hours of elective courses are available, and are generally geared to meet the individual needs of students as they move into the specific areas of their thesis research. Course requirements are completed by the end of the 2nd year and students spend an average of another 2-3 years to complete their individual thesis projects. Throughout their experience, students take part in weekly journal clubs, attend seminars, and have many opportunities to present and discuss their work with both faculty and students at TJU and at national scientific meetings.
| Fall | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer | |
| Full-time Enrollment | 20 credit total | 30 credit total | 10 credit total | |
| Year 1 | GC 550 10 credits |
Genetics of Model Organisms GE 612 3 credits |
Advanced Human Genetics GE 637 3 credits |
Research GE 930 |
| Biochemistry-Genetics Information Transfer BI 525 3 credits |
||||
| Journal Club GE 710 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 720 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 730 1 credit |
||
| Lab Rotation 1 GE 511 3 credits |
Lab Rotation 2 GE 521 3 credits |
Lab Rotation 3 GE 531 3 credits |
||
| Ethics GC 640 1 credit |
Applied Statistics in Neuroscience NS 740 2 credits |
|||
| Research GE 910 | Research GE 920 | |||
| Fall | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer | |
| Full-time Enrollment | 20 credit total | 30 credit total | 10 credit total | |
| Year 2 | Regulation of Cell Cycle and Apoptosis GE 636 3 credits |
Molecular Basis of Cancer GE 652 2 credits |
Elective 2-3 credits |
Research GE 930 |
| Elective 2-3 credits |
Pathobiology of Cancer GE 651 2 credits |
Elective 2-3 credits |
||
| Planning & Writing a Research Grant GC 730 1 credit |
Genomics & Bioinformatics GC 645 3 credits |
|||
| Journal Club GE 710 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 720 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 730 1 credit |
||
| Research GE 910 | Research GE 920 | |||
| Fall | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer | |
| Full-time Enrollment | 20 credit total | 30 credit total | 10 credit total | |
| Year 3 | Journal Club GE 710 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 720 1 credit |
Journal Club GE 730 1 credit |
Research GE 930 |
| Preliminary Examination | ||||
