Bachelor of Science (BS) in
Genomic Medicine

Why BS in Genomic Medicine?

BS in Genomic Medicine delves deeply into the most recent breakthroughs in molecular biology, evolution, pathogenomics, and biomedicine. This progressive program emphasizes the key specializations defining today's genomic career landscape for biology students. With a human-centric, genomics-oriented curriculum, students can propel their careers in research, medicine, and a myriad of other biological science domains.

  • BIOL 2512 Genomic Foundations of Medicine
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Spring.

    At the beginning of the 21st century, the genome sequence of only a single human being was completed. Since that time, the application of genomics has grown exponentially. Genomics is now revolutionizing the practice of medicine such that almost every area of medicine has been affected. The practice of medicine thus now requires grounding in genomic principles and knowledge and understanding how current genomic knowledge is scientifically justified. This course introduces major medical disorders affecting humans and surveys their genetic and genomic basis.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 2112, BIOL 2912, BIOL 1112, or BIOL 1912)

  • BIOL 3111 Genomics in Medicine
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Fall.

    The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 began a revolution in the treatment of human disease. More than 10 years later, the promise of personalized genome-guided medical treatment is becoming reality. This course will explore how genomic information has enhanced our understanding of human genetic variation and disease susceptibility. Students will develop familiarity with main areas in genomic medicine through lectures from intra- and extramural experts, and they will be involved in classroom discussions.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 1112, BIOL 1912, BIOL 2112, BIOL 2912, or 'Y' in BIOW)

  • BIOL 3112 Fundamentals of Genomic Evolutionary Medicine
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Spring.

    Modern evolutionary theory offers a conceptual framework for understanding human health and disease. In this course we will examine human disease in evolutionary contexts with a focus on modern techniques and genome-scale datasets. We ask: What can evolution teach us about human populations? How can we understand disease from molecular evolutionary perspectives? What are the relative roles of negative and positive selection in disease? How do we apply evolutionary principles in diagnosing diseases and developing better treatments? Students will conduct case studies of a variety of diseases and phenotypes in a group setting.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 1112, BIOL 1912, BIOL 2112, BIOL 2912, 'Y' in BIO4, or 'Y' in BIOW)

  • BIOL 3113 Genome Analytics
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Spring.

    The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 began a revolution in the diagnostics, treatment, and prevention of human disease. As a part of this revolution, many areas of biology have become data-driven and quantitative. Modern genomic biology, biomedicine, and evolutionary genomics, are vitally dependent on key bioinformatic tools and algorithms. This course is designed to introduce students to key informatics and algorithmic concepts widely used in bioinformatics and computational biology, and to equip them with operational knowledge of the 'must-know' tools used by scientists and practitioners today. Students will complete an independent project using the tools and techniques learned in the course, integrating literature review, new analyses of published data using software tools and pipelines, data visualization and interpretation, and formal report writing. This course takes the approach of discovery-based learning. Each lecture will be structured to cover one discrete topic, with a brief background, introduction of key concepts, tutorials, and guided software exercises.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 1112, BIOL 1912, BIOL 2112, BIOL 2912, or 'Y' in BIOW) and (BIOL 3111 or BIOL 3112)

  • BIOL 3511 Pathophysiology of Genomic Medicine
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Fall.

    Genomics is now revolutionizing the practice of medicine such that almost every area of medicine has been affected. In this companion course to Genomic Foundations of Medicine, we will examine the molecular and cellular consequences of genomic variation in a medical context, focusing on pathophysiology and its impact on cellular and physiological functioning.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in BIOL 2512.

  • BIOL 3396 Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating
    • Credits: 3

    This course is typically offered in Spring.

    This course is designed for upper-level undergraduate students majoring in a natural science. This seminar course teaches students how to communicate scientific information in written and oral (PowerPoint) formats clearly and succinctly. The development and refinement of the primary research article represents the core of the course; however, other genres of scientific writing (and audiences) are explored. In addition, students develop their skills as revisers, editors, and reviewers through in-class exercises that focus on giving (and receiving) constructive criticism. As part of a secondary goal of the course, other professional forms of writing (e.g., cover letters, personal statements, and resumes) as well as careers in scientific writing are discussed.

    Course Attributes: WI

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 2296 or BIOL 3096)

  • BIOL 3212 Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    • Credits: 3

    Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology presents students without a computational background with an initial presentation of the biological questions that can be addressed computationally using mostly online tools. Beginning with an introduction to the scientific hypothesis testing and computational biology, students will subsequently be introduced to searching the scientific literature and biological datasets and databases, concepts in the organization of genes and genomes, sequence searching (BLAST), pairwise and multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic tree reconstruction, protein structure and homology modeling, and finally modeling function in metabolic pathways. This course is designed as an applied course and as a prerequisite for more advanced conceptual and technological courses in the department.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- in (BIOL 1112, BIOL 1912, BIOL 2112, BIOL 2912, 'Y' in BIO4, or 'Y' in BIOW)

  • CIS 1051 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming in Python
    • Credits: 3

    This course introduces computer programming using Python, a computer language which is widely used in industry, scientific research, game programming and web applications. Students will learn how to design a program to solve a problem using procedural programming constructs such as loops, branching structures, and functions. Students will write programs that are testable (using assertions) and maintainable (using good programming style, naming conventions, indentation, and comments). Topics covered also include the general characteristics of computers, techniques of problem solving, and algorithm specification. Students are also introduced to software engineering practices, including unit testing techniques, debugging techniques, and version control management.

    Repeatability: This course may not be repeated for additional credits.

    Pre-requisites: Minimum grade of C- (except where noted) in (MATH 1021 (C or higher), any MATH course numbered 1022 to 4999 (may be taken concurrently), 'Y' in MC5, 'Y' in MC6, 'Y' in MA03, STAT 1001 (C or higher), STAT 1102, STAT 1902, 'Y' in MC6A, 'Y' in MATW, 'Y' in CRMA04, 'Y' in CRST01, or 'Y' in MC6T)