Genetics and Genomics Program Curriculum

Required Courses

Micro 230: Analysis of the Biological Literature

Critical analysis of original research articles in intensive small group discussions. Analyze range of papers in biochemistry, genetics, microbiology, and cell and developmental biology in terms of context, hypotheses, methods, results and future experiments.

Genetics 201: Principles of Genetics

An in-depth survey of genetics, beginning with basic principles and extending to modern approaches and special topics. We will draw on examples from various systems, including yeast, Drosophila, C. elegans, mouse, human and bacteria.

One course in statistics/quantitative biology (see options below)

Two advanced electives in genetics or genomics (see options below)

Statistics/Quantitative Biology Courses

Neuro 300: Tools for Statistical Inference in Experimental Science

An expanded quarter course providing an introduction to the statistical treatment of experimental data. It will cover basic topics in statistics, including probability distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, Baye’s Theorem, t tests, confidence intervals, and ANOVA and related tests. Discusses the appropriate choice of statistical test, the underlying assumptions, and how to draw appropriate inferences from test results.

Biophysics 170: Quantitative Genomics and Evolution

Introduction to quantitative modeling and analysis of genome evolution, functional and structural genomic data. Strong emphasis on evolutionary understanding and analysis.

The course provide foundation in the following four areas: Molecular evolutionary and Population Genetics, Comparative Genomics, Functional Genomics, and Structural Genomics.

Quantitative Biology for Graduate Students (MIT course)

Introduces the fundamental concepts and tools of quantitative approaches to molecular and cellular biology. Covers a wide range of mathematical, computational, and statistical methods, although no previous expertise in these areas is required. Focuses on understanding quantitative approaches through the analysis of particular problems and examples drawn from classical genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, genomics, and systems biology.

Courses through the Biostatistics Department at the Harvard School of Public Health may also be applicable.

Advanced Electives

Gen 216: Advanced Topics in Gene Expression

Covers both biochemical and genetic studies in regulatory mechanisms. Small number of topics discussed in depth, using the primary literature. Topics range from prokaryotic transcription to eukaryotic development.

Gen 219: Inheritance

Lectures/discussions will focus on surprising patterns of inheritance, including those resulting from chromosome rearrangements (CNVs, translocations, etc.) and phenomena that were recently considered extraordinary but are now recognized as general paradigms spanning fungi to humans.

Gen 220: Molecular Biology and Genetics in Modern Medicine

Scientific, clinical, and ethical aspects of modern human genetics and molecular biology as applied to medicine. Covers genetic approaches and molecular underpinnings of inherited diseases and somatic/genetic diseases are integrated with patient presentations, discussions.

Gen 228: Genetics in Medicine: From Bench to Bedside

Focus on translational medicine: the application of basic genetic discoveries to human disease. Will discuss specific genetic disorders and the approaches currently used to speed the transfer of knowledge from the laboratory to the clinic.

Micro 213: Social Issues in Biology

Readings, discussion of social/ethical aspects of biology: history, philosophy of science; evolution vs. creationism; genetics and race; women and science; genetic testing; stem cell research; science journalism; genetics and the law; scientists and social responsibility.

CB 214: Developmental Biology and Genetics

The course will explore genetic tools for the analysis of developmental phenomena in flies, worms, and mice. We cover a continuum from pattern formation, cell growth, and cell fate to cell differentiation and morphogenesis.

Biophysics 205: Computational and Functional Genomics

Experimental functional genomics, computational prediction of gene function, and properties and models of complex biological systems. The course will primarily involve critical reading and discussion rather then lectures.

Strongly Recommended Courses

Gen 202: Principles of Genetic Analysis in Humans

The goal of this course is to familiarize the students with the principles of human genetics and how they apply to modern research in disease gene identification. This course will provide a comprehensive examination of the principles of human inheritance, in the context of both normal human variation and human disease. Examples of topics to be covered include structure of the human genome, analysis of sequence variation, population genetics, Mendelian inheritance patterns, complex traits, association studies, pharmacogenetics and how genetics impacts medicine.

Genetics 390: Experimental Approaches in Genetic Analysis

A survey of major themes in genetics combined with exposure to various experimental techniques, technologies, and model systems. Combines lectures and hands-on laboratory activities emphasizing experimental methods, hypothesis generation and testing, and data analysis.

BCMP 200: Molecular Biology

An advanced treatment of molecular biology’s Central Dogma. Considers the molecular basis of information transfer from DNA to RNA to protein, using examples from eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems. Lectures, discussion groups, and research seminars.

CB 201: Molecular Biology of the Cell

Molecular basis of cellular compartmentalization, protein trafficking, cytoskeleton dynamics, mitosis, cell locomotion, cell cycle regulation, signal transduction, cell-cell interaction, and cellular/biochemical basis of diseases. Methods covered: mass spectrometry, microscopy, and quantitative approaches to Cell Biology.

Micro 201: Molecular Biology of the Bacterial Cell

This course is devoted to bacterial structure, physiology, genetics, and regulatory mechanisms. The class consists of lectures and group discussions emphasizing methods, results, and interpretations of classic and contemporary literature.

Sample Curriculum for Trainees

This represents just one of many options available to trainees given our flexible course requirements and expansive course offerings. Students will be counseled by their respective advisors regarding the most appropriate course plans to pursue during their training.

	Fall	Spring
Year 1	Micro 230* Gen 201* BCMP 200	Gen 202 CB 201
Year 2	Statistics Course* OR 1 advanced seminar course	Statistics course* OR 1 advanced seminar course
Year 3	1 advanced seminar course (taken either semester)
Year 4	1 quarter course or 3 nanocourses (taken either semester)

*indicates required courses