Summary of MS Requirement
- Complete 30 credit hours, including at least 21 graded credits with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 7 research credits. The required courses and other requirements include the following:
Required Graded Coursework:
| GENE 524 (2 credits) | Advanced Medical Genetics: Molecular & Cytogenetics |
| GENE 500 (6 credits) | Fundamentals and Current Topics in Genetics and Genomics Research |
| GEN 520 (4 credits) | Computational Human Genomics and Epigenomics |
| GENE 526 (2 credits) | Quantitative Genetics and Genomics |
| GENE 503 (1 credit) | Readings and Discussions in Genetics |
Required Pass/Fail Coursework:
| Gene 505 (1 credit) | Genetics Journal Club |
| IBMS 500 (1 credit) | Being a Professional Scientist |
- Complete 2 semesters of hands-on computational genomics research:
| GENE 601 (7 total credits) | Research in Genetics and Genome Sciences |
- Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies Requirements for Graduation
Plan of Study
First Year
Course work and attendance at seminars and journal clubs are the major activities of first year students.
Fall
- Computational Human Genomics and Epigenomics (GENE 520, 4 credits)
- Advanced Medical Genetics: Molecular & Crytogenetics (GENE 524, 2 credit)
- Elective Course (3 credits)
Spring
- Fundamentals and current topics in genetics and genomics research (GENE 500, 6 credits)
- Genetics Journal Club (GENE 505, 1 credit)
- Readings and Discussions in Genetics (GENE 503, 1 credit)
- Being a Professional Scientist (IBMS 500, 1 credit)
Second Year
Hands-on computational genomics research is the focus for second year students.
Fall
- Quantitative Genetics and Genomics (GENE 526, 2 credits)
- Research in Genetics and Genome Sciences (GENE 601, 4 credits)
- Elective Course (3 credits)
Spring
- Research in Genetics and Genome Sciences (GENE 601, 3 credits)
Selection of a Research Laboratory
Culminating experience
Research in a faculty member’s lab or learning clinical genomic data analyses in a hospital setting will serve as the culminating experience for the MS degree. This experience will provide the student with the opportunity to use what was learned in the classroom to conduct research in the real world. The expected workload/time commitment is completion of ~150 hours of laboratory research for 3 credits in both fall and spring semester of the second year.
Matching students to research labs or clinical genomic projects
During the spring semester of Year 1, students will receive a list of faculty members whose lab can take a student conducting computational genomics research or clinical genomic data analysis projects. At least a dozen labs will have computational genomics-related projects that will be available for students. Students are also encouraged to find labs in other departments with the guidance of the MS program director. These opportunities will include The Center for Human Genetics at University Hospitals and the Genomic Medicine Institute at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute. Students are encouraged to take on clinical genomic data analysis projects in either of these settings, as well as at CWRU in the Department of GGS, or in other related departments at CWRU. Students will arrange three interviews with the PIs and clinicians whose research or clinical genomic projects align with their interests. After a match is found, it will be approved by the MS program director, who will provide guidance and supervision to ensure an appropriate and productive training experience.
Academic Advisor
Upon acceptance into the MS program, each student will be assigned an initial academic advisor (usually the Program Director) who will guide the student through department and graduate school regulations and assist with designing their first semester course registration. The academic advisor will track the student’s progress toward degree completion, help with selecting electives, assist with placement in a research laboratory, and provide career advice.