Currently, students are admitted to the Ph.D. program and to the MS program
The University of Arizona has a rich history of genetics research, representing the entire range of model, experimental, and applied biological systems. Geneticists at the University of Arizona study genetic model organisms – such as Drosophila and yeasts – the genetics of crop plants and animals of agricultural importance, microbial genetics and virology, evolutionary and conservation genetics, and of course the genetics of human beings and their families with a focus on how their genetics relate to health and disease. Our faculty’s research is highly impactful, and we are internationally recognized for innovative work, often covering many branches of knowledge within genetics and integrating with “non-genetic” fields of biology. Our investigators collaborate often, with others at the University of Arizona and with others across the United States and throughout the world.
The study of genes, their functions, their interactions, and their inheritance will prepare you for a wide variety of possible careers. Your training at the University of Arizona will prepare you for life-long learning and high impact research in all of the biological and biomedical fields because the concepts of genetics inform all other areas of research.
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Students must complete a total of 63 semester units of coursework in the major and minor subject areas in order to complete the degree:
Major. 36 units of coursework, combining units from the core curriculum and units from the student's specific area of interest as detailed in the PoS. Other units come from independent study and research credits.
Minor. No less than 9 units of coursework as required by the graduate program in which the student is minoring.
Dissertation units. At least 18 units of GENE 920 dissertation credit are taken after successful completion of the comprehensive examinations.
The Genetics Program has one required genetics course CMM 518 Fundamental Genetic Mechanisms. This three-credit course help in the fall semester covers a broad range of topics in science of heredity and genetics of DNA and chromosome transactions. Students learn to analyze and evaluate the primary literature, to solve complex problems in genetics, and to present oral communications of and to prepare written reports of old and new concepts in genetics.
Genetics Program students must select additional courses to complete their PoS. Courses are generally at the will of the student and the student’s advisory committee. However, to assure sufficient breadth for the students of the Genetics Program, students must choose one course from each of two of three lists, determined by the Genetics Curriculum Committee and maintained on the Genetics GIDP web page. The three lists are broadly divided into three categories: Organismal Genetics; Biochemistry; Genomics, Informatics, and Population Genetics. For example, a student must pass CMM518, and one course from Organismal Genetics, and one from Biochemistry, or he or she may pass CMM518 and one from Organismal Genetics and one from Genomics, Informatics, and Population Genetics.
The inclusion of a new course offered by the University on one of the lists can be done by your advisor by contacting the Genetics Curriculum Committee, the Chair, or the Vice-Chair of the GIDP.
Students are required to take an ethics course in their first year. To satisfy this requirement, students may take MCB 695E Science Society and Ethics; SPH 649 Survival Skills and Ethics; or PHCL595B Scientific Writing Skills and Ethics.
Although there is no specific requirement in the Genetics program for students to perform teaching assistantships; students are required to master the art of science communication. As part of satisfaction of this requirement, students must attend and participate in the graduate seminar course GENE 670 Advances in Genetics for a minimum of eight semesters. In this course, students learn to present their own work and the work of others to a broad audience of faculty and students on a regular basis. Students are also required to present in annual retreats of the Program.
Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs
The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.
Graduate College/GIDP
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Applicants must complete at least a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent prior to enrollment in the Program. Examples of undergraduate majors that normally constitute satisfactory preparation for graduate work in Neuroscience include but are not limited to: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Neurobiology, Neuroscience and Psychology.
The Genetics GIDP program does not have absolute criteria for GPA or GRE scores, characteristics of a strong application will generally include:
The Graduate Admissions Committee evaluates the entire admissions file. Deficiencies in one or two of the areas described above should not discourage interested applicants from applying.
All required documents *must be* uploaded electronically; no paper copies will be accepted during the application process.
The following is a summary of all materials that should be prepared submitted online prior to the application deadline (December 1 for PhD) in order to complete your application:
It is recommended that you keep a hard-copy of all online forms, in case there are technical problems with online transmission.
If you are admitted, you will be required to submit 2 copies of your transcripts to:
Cora Varas-Nelson Genetics GIDP 1548 E. Drachman St. Tucson, AZ 85721-047 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 8572-0476Problems submitting your application should be addressed to Cora Varas-Nelson, Program Coordinator, at cora@email.arizona.edu (520) 626-1452.
Personal Statement:
Your personal statement should be between 1000-1500 words long, and might include a discussion of your long-range goals; your reasons for pursuing an advanced degree; your interest in our program; information on your prior research experience or teaching (if any); and topics in genetics that are of particular interest to you and that might serve as the focus of your graduate program.
Letters of recommendation
All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation. These letters should be current or former advisors or instructors, and may address your previous research or laboratory experience, your academic qualification, your scientific potential, and your motivation for graduate work.
Required test(s):
Candidates for admission have the option to take the Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores from the advanced examinations (e.g. biology, chemistry, physics, psychology) may also be included in the application, but are not required.
International students are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum TOEFL: a score of 550 (paper based) or 79 (iBT) or higher.
Financial Aid
The current funding package for doctoral students includes:
Annual Stipend (living expenses) $27,000
Benefit: tuition) $12,512
Benefit: Health Insurance $ 1,875
Benefit: Out of State Tuition (if applicable) $18,322
The funds utilized by the Program to support the doctoral student stipends are derived from Faculty contributions, Graduate College Fellowships, and Teaching Assistantships.
Graduate students are guaranteed funding for their first-year during rotations (9 months) by the Genetics GIDP/ABBS programs, pallowing the new students to spend time durint their first year exploring different labs and finding the one best suited to their own research interests. After that, the students declar the lab in which they intend to do their dissertation, the student's funding is derived from support from their faculty advisor.
Because of uncertainties in funding sources, the intention of support cannot be construed as a guarantee of continuous support to any student. However, the Genetics GIDP Program makes every effort to provide financial support to our students throughout their academic careers.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 4832
NRC Taxon(a) for this program: Genetics and Genomics
63
At the University of Arizona, the Graduate College sets the overall framework for the completion of the doctoral degree. Within these guidelines, the Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program establishes specific requirements and monitors student progress to ensure:
Sufficient breadth of knowledge in genetics
Sufficient depth of knowledge in the students area of specialty
Rigorous research training
Training in career skills (writing, speaking, critical evaluation of the literature)
Training in teaching skills
Typically, successful completion of the Doctoral program takes 4.5 to 5.5 years of study. Doctoral students must complete 36 units of graduate-level coursework. 18 units must be in the major subject area, must be taken as letter-grade, and must be courses at the 500-level or greater.
Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.00 (letter grade of B) or better to receive financial support and to be awarded a Ph.D. degree. All students in the Doctoral degree program are also expected to comply with the regulations of the Graduate College with respect to residence, credit hour requirements, and the qualifying and comprehensive examinations (please refer to the Graduate College Policies for more information).
Doctoral students, with the input of their advisor, also develop a minor area of study based upon the student's research goals. The minor is satisfied with 9 units of relevant coursework in the minor department.
In addition, the Doctoral Program requires that each student complete a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 laboratory rotations within their first academic year. Furthermore, each Doctoral student must take a course in Ethics, in GENE670, and complete a semester as a teaching assistant to gain experience as a teacher.
During their second academic year, Doctoral students should form a Comprehensive Committee and, by the end of the second or third academic year, they must pass their written and oral Comprehensive Exams based their the major and minor areas of study.
After a successful performance on the Comprehensive Exams, the Doctoral student will form a Dissertation Committee and complete their dissertation project to earn the Ph.D. degree.
Minumum credits: 63
Core coursework: Vary according to selected degree-granting program; see links to five participating life science graduate programs at <http://www.abbs.arizona.edu>
Major: 36 units of coursework, combining units from the core curriculum and units from the student's specific area of interest (see below: typical curriculum).
Dissertation Units: At least 18 units of dissertation credit are taken after successful completion of the comprehensive examinations. Other units come from independent study and research credit.
Teaching Requirement: Students are required to teach for one semester in a course that complements their interests. Additional opportunities for teaching may also be available.
Seminars: In addition to the weekly GIDP Current Topics Seminar, students are required to attend seminars and journal clubs as determined in consultation with their mentor and mentoring committee.
Genetics Program students must select additional courses to complete their PoS. Courses are generally at the will of the student and the student’s advisory committee. However, to assure sufficient breadth for the students of the Genetics Program, students must choose one course from each of two of three lists, determined by the Genetics Curriculum Committee and maintained on the Genetics GIDP web page. The three lists are broadly divided into three categories: Organismal Genetics; Biochemistry; Genomics, Informatics, and Population Genetics. For example, a student must pass CMM518, and one course from Organismal Genetics, and one from Biochemistry, or he or she may pass CMM518 and one from Organismal Genetics and one from Genomics, Informatics, and Population Genetics.
The inclusion of a new course offered by the University on one of the lists can be done by your advisor by contacting the Genetics Curriculum Committee, the Chair, or the Vice-Chair of the GIDP.
The Graduate College expects students to maintain an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 (B). One semester < 3.0 and the student is on probation. Two semesters < 3.0 and the Graduate College will remove the student from the program. The Genetics Program has a more stringent requirement that students must not have more than two (2) grades of C in their coursework. Failure to achieve such a record can result in dismissal from the Program. In this case, the Program asks the Graduate College to remove the student. Students who are removed from the Program or College may apply for non-degree status is they want. Students in non-degree status may be ineligible for continuing financial support, depending on the source of the funding.
Minor: At least 9 units are required by the minor department. Students may choose to minor in: Biochemistry, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Pharmacology, Psychology, Cell Biology & Anatomy, Genetics, Physiological Sciences, Speech & Hearing Sciences, or another related area.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
Program-level Information | |
---|---|
Application Acceptance Rate | 31.82% |
Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 5.00 |
Department-level Information | |
Enrollment Percent Male | 35% |
Enrollment Percent Female | 65% |
Enrollment Percent International | 30% |
Enrollment Percent URM | 10% |