GENE-MS - Genetics (MS)

An underlying theme in the department is that genetics is not merely a set of tools but a coherent and fruitful way of thinking about biology and medicine. To this end, the department emphasizes a spectrum of approaches based on molecules, organisms, populations, and genomes. It provides training through laboratory rotations, dissertation research, seminar series, didactic and interactive course work, and an annual three-day retreat of nearly 200 students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff.

The Department of Genetics is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Faculty advisors guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.

For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the Graduate Advising section of this bulletin.

The mission of the department includes education and teaching as well as research; graduates from our program pursue careers in many different venues including research in academic or industrial settings, health care, health policy, and education. The department is especially committed to increasing diversity within the program, and to the training of individuals from traditionally underrepresented minority groups.