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Ph.D. in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics

Graduate students at UAB enter the Graduate Biomedical Sciences program, which comprises eight interdisciplinary themes. The main goal of the Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics (GGB) theme is to provide students with an outstanding, flexible, didactic doctoral training experience to prepare them for independent and innovative careers in research.

We emphasize a broad approach to the fundamental principles of genetics and genomics, as well as bioinformatics and computational sciences.

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Master of Science in Genetic Counseling

UAB's Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Program is a joint effort between the Department of Genetics and the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences in the School of Health Professions. Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in areas of medical genetics and counseling.

The program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council of Genetic Counseling.

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Below is a listing of graduate level genetics coures being offered for the next term. 

  • Spring 2024

    Spring 2024

    GGSC 610: Genetics of Disease 
    CRN: 42202
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Jon D Sharer (P)

    Description

    This course will focus on the medical applications of genetics and genomic technologies. Topics covered include, but are not limited to major forms of chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis.


    GGSC 635: Zebrafish Models 
    CRN: 43714
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Ryan M Centini (P)

    Description

    This course will focus on the biology, husbandry, and management of zebrafish used as an animal model of human disease in biomedical research. The course is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, systems design, water quality management, behavior and enrichment, spawning and larviculture, nutrition and live feeds, diseases, quarantine, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.


    GGSC 670: Pharmacogenetics
    CRN: 43716
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Tatjana Coric (P)

    Description

    This course will introduce students to the basic principles of pharmacogenetics, demonstrate examples of drug/genotype interactions, highlight the available pharmacogenetic resources, and discuss the potential benefits, as well as limitations and challenges of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.


    GGSC 691: Personalized Genomic Medicine
    CRN: 42203
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Deeann Wallis-Schultz (P)

    Description

    Significant developments in the fields of genetics and genomics are making it possible to tailor medical care to the specific needs of patients. New diagnostic tests, up to and including whole genome sequencing, provide increasingly powerful tools for the identification of the genetic basis of both rare and common disorders. Better understanding of the causes of disease are permitting drugs to be developed that precisely target disease mechanisms, increasing the efficacy and avoiding side effects. These and other new advanced are leading to major changes in healthcare delivery and provide the consumer with new opportunities and complex choices. This course will focus on exploring state-of-the-art genetic, genomic, and informatic tools now available to enable personalization of healthcare. Capstone course (GGS majors). Students that enroll in this class as their capstone experience are expected to do writing or presentation assignments to fulfill their capstone requirement.


    INFO 602: Algorithms in Bioinformatics
    CRN: 42384
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture
    Instructor: Ryan L Mevin (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    This course introduces various fundamental algorithms and computational concepts for solving questions in bioinformatics and functional genomics. These include graph algorithms, dynamic programming, combinatorial algorithms, randomized algorithms, pattern matching, classification and clustering algorithms, hidden Markov models and more. Each concept will be introduced in the context of a concrete biological or genomic application. A broad range of topics will be covered, ranging from genome annotation, genome reconstruction, microarray data analysis, phylogeny reconstruction, sequence alignments, to variant detection.


    INFO 603: Biological Data Management 
    CRN: 46894
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Jake Y Chen (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    The introduction of biological data management concepts, theories, and applications. Basic concepts such as relational data representation, relational database modeling, and relational database queries will be introduced in the context of SQL and relational algebra. Advanced concepts including ontology representation and database development workflow will be introduced. Emerging big data concepts and tools, including Hadoop and NoSQL, will be introduced in the context of managing semi-structured and unstructured data. Application of biological data management in biology will be covered using case studies of high-impact widely used biological databases. A class project will be required of all participants.


    INFO 604: Next-gen Sequ Data Analysis
    CRN: 43768
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Jin Chen (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    This course is aimed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to begin analyzing next-generation sequencing data and carry out some of the most common types of analysis. The topics covered in-depth during this course are the analysis of RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq data, ATACseq data, and Single-cell data, with an optional Variant Calling session. The sessions will also include Introduction to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, common NGS data analysis issues, applications of sequencing technologies, introduction to bioinformatics file formats (e.g. FASTQ, bam, bed) and bioinformatics toolkits. At the end of this course, participants will have the expertise to perform these data analysis independently.


    INFO 691: Bioinformatics Seminar I
    CRN: 45776
    Min CR: 1
    Schedule Type: Lecture Seminar
    Instructor: Amy Wang (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    For master’s student only. Students will learn how to prepare, present, and critique research presentations in bioinformatics by attending seminar presentations made by presenters. Seminars are presented by graduate students, faculty, visitors, or online speakers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation, active participation, and documented comprehension of the topics.


    INFO 691: Biomed Informatics Methods
    CRN: 45778
    Min CR: 1
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Tiago Colicchio (P)

    Prerequisites

    Undergraduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    Biomedical informatics is the art and science of collecting, representing and analyzing patient and biomedical information and translating insights from the information into better health and new medical discoveries. The spectrum of informatics applications ranges from molecules (bioinformatics) to individuals and populations (clinical and public health informatics). We will examine the scientific field and research methods that form the foundation for biomedical informatics research. The course will include didactics, readings, and applications in applying research methods, culminating in a research plan in grant proposal format and review by a mock panel. This foundational course is intended for informatics majors and students in allied fields (e.g., health, biological, or computer sciences) who are interested in exploring the field of informatics. It is primarily intended for students who will pursue research careers in biomedical informatics and is the second course in a two-part series.


    INFO 691: Biological Data Management
    CRN: 46895
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Jake Y Chen (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 701 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    The introduction of biological data management concepts, theories, and applications. Basic concepts such as relational data representation, relational database modeling, and relational database queries will be introduced in the context of SQL and relational algebra. Advanced concepts including ontology representation and database development workflow will be introduced. Emerging big data concepts and tools, including Hadoop and NoSQL, will be introduced in the context of managing semi-structured and unstructured data. Application of biological data management in biology will be covered using case studies of high-impact widely used biological databases. A class project will be required of all participants.


    INFO 704: Next-gen Sequ Data Analysis
    CRN: 43851
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Jin Chen (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 701 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    This course is aimed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to begin analyzing next-generation sequencing data and carry out some of the most common types of analysis. The topics covered in-depth during this course are the analysis of RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq data, ATACseq data, and Single-cell data, with an optional Variant Calling session. The sessions will also include Introduction to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, common NGS data analysis issues, applications of sequencing technologies, introduction to bioinformatics file formats (e.g. FASTQ, bam, bed) and bioinformatics toolkits. At the end of this course, participants will have the expertise to perform these data analysis independently.


    INFO 791: Bioinformatics Seminar I
    CRN: 45775
    Min CR: 1
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Amy Wang (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 701 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    For doctoral student only. Students will learn how to prepare, present, and critique research presentations in bioinformatics by attending seminar presentations made by presenters. Seminars are presented by graduate students, faculty, visitors, or online speakers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation, active participation, and documented comprehension of the topics.


    INFO 797: Biomed Informatics Methods
    CRN: 45777
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Tiago K Colicchio (P)

    Prerequisites

    Graduate level INFO 796 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    Biomedical informatics is the art and science of collecting, representing and analyzing patient and biomedical information and translating insights from the information into better health and new medical discoveries. The spectrum of informatics applications ranges from molecules (bioinformatics) to individuals and populations (clinical and public health informatics). We will examine the scientific field and research methods that form the foundation for biomedical informatics research. The course will include didactics, readings, and applications in applying research methods, culminating in a research plan in grant proposal format and review by a mock panel. This foundational course is intended for informatics majors and students in allied fields (e.g., health, biological, or computer sciences) who are interested in exploring the field of informatics. It is primarily intended for students who will pursue research careers in biomedical informatics and is the second course in a two-part series.

To register for graduate courses, click here