Course Descriptions

All active HGG students participate in the Seminar/Journal Club each semester. Sessions rotate between seminar, journal club, and research-in-progress. Twice per month, students attend the HGG seminar speaker series. Once per month, students present their own work in short research-in-progress talks. Once per month, students participate in a journal club, featuring student-led discussions of published papers.

This course covers study designs and analytic approaches commonly used in human genetic and genomic studies. Major topic areas include 1) study designs for genetic epidemiology; 2) experimental designs for assessing variation in DNA sequence, RNA expression, and epigenetic marks; 3) analytic approaches for genetic association, gene expression, and epigenetic data; 4) evaluation of epistasis, gene-environment interaction, and application of systems biology approaches to high-dimensional genomic data. Class sessions will feature a mixture of lecture, discussion of primary literature, and hands-on computational workshops.

This course provides an overview of the science of genetics, including historical and modern approaches, with emphasis on the underlying mechanisms of human genomic variation and their relation to human disease. After taking this course, the student will be able to list the different types of human genomic variation, explain the mechanism by which each occurs, and discuss the consequences of the variations. Where appropriate, specific examples of human disorders will be related to the variations.

Topics include: chromosomal, biochemical, and DNA sequence variation, mitochondrial genome variation, and epigenetic effects. The course structure consists of a combination of lectures and discussion of primary literature along with a computer lab.

It is recommended that students in the umbrella program complete HGG 630 during the spring semester of their first year in order to be on track to graduate in five years.

This class is a survey of topics in population and statistical genetics. Basic concepts and methods will be covered, including Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, sources of variation, population substructure (drift, fixation, differentiation, inbreeding, and F statistics), relatedness and heritability, quantitative and qualitative trait loci, selection (natural and artificial), and molecular evolution. The course is lecture-based but will include readings from the text and primary literature.

The focus of this course is the use of families in the study of genetic disorders and traits. Both qualitative and quantitative phenotypes will be studied. Major topics covered include heritability, heterogeneity, segregation analysis, and linkage analysis. By the end of the course, the student will be able to design and carry out a family-based mapping study. The course consists of didactic lectures and a computer lab during which students will obtain practical experience in running the relevant computer programs using data from various studies.

Prerequisite: HGG 630 or permission of instructor.
It is recommended that students in the umbrella program complete HGG 640 during the spring semester of their first year in order to be on track to graduate in five years.

Each spring, the HGG faculty will offer a course on an advanced topic in molecular genetics, typically within specific areas of research interest. Topics will include human microRNAs, the neurobiology of aging, structural variation, modern genome technology, among others. The course structure will consist primarily of discussions and analysis of primary literature.

Prerequisite: HGG 630 or permission of instructor.

In this course, we will focus on the application of high throughput genomic technologies in a variety of biological contexts. The expectation would be to achieve the following course learning objectives: 1) Gain familiarity with the technologies and techniques available for high throughput genomic studies; 2) Understand the data outputs and how to store/manipulate/analyze/interpret results; 3) Work with high-performance computing in the area of genomic analysis; 4) Become aware and be able to use tools for genomic data storage, annotation, and curation; 5) Critically plan and perform quality control of analysis pipelines and results; 6) Share results of genomic data through communication and visualization techniques. Prerequisites: Familiarity with basic genetics, genome structure, and the methods and approaches of molecular biology are necessary. Please ask for primers on these topics if you do not have a Biology background. In addition, basic knowledge in the Unix environment and basic operations is required. Materials will be distributed in the first week of class to address.

Registration Note: All students must have permission from the HGG Program Office to register for this course.

This course will explore current and future applications of human genetics as they pertain to the health and identity of individuals and society. Topics will include the ethical dilemmas facing clinicians, researchers, and the public regarding the use of genetic information in healthcare, the role of the media and other extemporaneous factors in influencing the use of human genetic information, and responsible conduct of research specifically about issues unique to genetics. The emphasis will be on real examples and experiences, with a primary goal of helping students explore how their role as researchers and citizens will be influenced by genetic information. The course is mainly discussion-based and includes extensive readings from the literature and online videos.

HGG students participate in medical genetics clinic post-clinical rounds, metabolic sign-out, and journal clubs. During clinical rounds, students observe clinical evaluations and counseling and participate in weekly didactic sessions with faculty and residents. This can be completed at any time after passing the qualifying examination in the Fall of year 3 and achieving admission to candidacy, and it will be graded as a one-credit pass-fail course.

HGG students serve one semester as teaching assistants for a core course. This experience will include giving at least one lecture, leading small group discussions, and holding regular office hours to discuss student questions. It can be completed any time after passing the qualifying examination in the Fall of year 3 and achieving admission to candidacy, and it will be graded as a one-credit pass-fail course.

Students begin their dissertation research at the end of the first year and complete their course requirements in the second year. In subsequent years, students devote their efforts to original dissertation research. Prior to the oral defense of the dissertation proposal (and admission to candidacy) students register for HGG 830.

Students begin their dissertation research at the end of the first year and complete their course requirements in the second year. In subsequent years, students devote their efforts to original dissertation research. After the successful defense of the dissertation proposal, students are admitted to candidacy and register for HGG 840.

After completing all requirements for the HGG degree (but prior to defending the dissertation) students register for Research in Residence during the semester in which they anticipate scheduling their dissertation defense (final semester) before graduating.

*Please refer to the Program Handbook for more detailed information regarding the complete curriculum.