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. 

  • Fall 2023

    Fall 2023

    GGSC 615: Aquatic Models
    CRN: 62569
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Ryan M Centini (P)

    Description

    This course will cover the basic anatomy, biology, life history, husbandry, and research applications for a variety of aquatic organisms used as animal models of human disease in biomedical research. Species discussed will include zebrafish, Medaka, Xiphorous, Onchorynchus, Xenopus, and Axolotls.


    GGSC 620: Bioinformatics
    CRN: 66464
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online 
    Instructor: David Crossman, Chen Huang (P)

    Description

    Introduction to computational tools and bioinformatics databases used in the fields of genetics and genomic sciences. This course will cover a wide variety of different bioinformatics applications, which will be taught through use of available on-line bioinformatics resources. Topics covered include large-scale genomic databases, sequence analysis systems, protein sequence analysis, structural bioinformatics, protein folding, and homology modeling.


    GGSC 690: Bioinformatics Model Systems Gen Disorders
    CRN: 61715
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture  
    Instructor: Bobby L Jones (P)

    Description

    Invertebrate and non-human vertebrate species are commonly used in scientific research work to provide significant insights into human genetic processes and disease. This course focuses on the different methods and strategies by which researchers use these systems for genetic and genomic analyses of human biology and relevant disorders. Model organisms covered include, but are not limited to nematodes (C. elegans), fruit flies (Drosophila sp.), zebrafish (Danio rerio), and mice (Mus musculus).


    INFO 601: Introduction to Bioinformatics
    CRN: 62026
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online 
    Instructor: Zechen Chong (P)

    Description

    Introduction to bioinformatics and computational biology, with emphasis on concepts and application of informatics tools to molecular biology. It covers biological sequence analysis, gene prediction, genome annotation, gene expression analysis, protein structure prediction, evolutionary biology and comparative genomics, bioinformatics databases, cloud computing, basic R-based data analysis, simple programming skills using Perl, Linux/Unix environment and command lines, visual analytics, and social/legal aspects of open science. It will have a class research project component.


    INFO 662: Biomed Appl Nat Lang Processing
    CRN: 62037
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online 
    Instructor: John D Osborne (P)

    Description

    Students will be introduced to Natural Language Processing (NLP) including core linguistic tasks such as tokenization, lemmatization/stemming, POS tagging, parsing and chunking. Applications will focus on Deep Learning methods using pytorch with a focus in information extraction including Named Entity Recognition, semantic role labeling, word sense disambiguation, normalization, summarization, question answering and text classification. Applications and data will have a biomedical focus, but no biology or medical background is required.


    INFO 673: Clinical Informatics JC
    CRN: 62070
    Min CR: 0
    Max CR: 1
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: James J Cimino (P)

    Description

    Students will learn how to read, present, and critique primary research publications in clinical informatics. Journal club participants will present high-impact recent journal publications selected by course instructors and learn how to read the paper, write critiques, and organize analysis insights into review papers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation prior to journal clubs and write critiques to show comprehension of the topics throughout the semester. 


    INFO 691: Bioinformatics Seminar I
    CRN: 64963
    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 693: Bioinformatics Journal Club
    CRN: 64960
    Min CR: 2
    Schedule Type: Lecture
    Instructor: Jake Y Chen (P)

    Description

    Students will learn how to read, present, and critique primary research publications in bioinformatics. Journal club participants will present high-impact recent journal publications selected by course instructors and learn how to read the paper, write critiques, and organize analysis insights into review papers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation prior to journal clubs and write critiques to show comprehension of the topics throughout the semester.


    INFO 696: Intro to Biomed Info Research
    CRN: 66344
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Amy Wang (P)

    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, hands-on tool explorations, and a summative work product. 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.


    INFO 701: Introduction to Bioinformatics
    CRN: 62025
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: Zechen Chong (P)

    Description

    Introduction to bioinformatics and computational biology, with emphasis on concepts and application of informatics tools to molecular biology. It covers biological sequence analysis, gene prediction, genome annotation, gene expression analysis, protein structure prediction, evolutionary biology and comparative genomics, bioinformatics databases, cloud computing, basic R-based data analysis, simple programming skills using Perl, Linux/Unix environment and command lines, visual analytics, and social/legal aspects of open science. It will have a class research project component.


    INFO 762: Biomed Appl Nat Lang Processing
    CRN: 62056
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: John D Osborne (P)

    Description

    Students will be introduced to Natural Language Processing (NLP) including core linguistic tasks such as tokenization, lemmatization/stemming, POS tagging, parsing and chunking. Applications will focus on Deep Learning methods using pytorch with a focus in information extraction including Named Entity Recognition, semantic role labeling, word sense disambiguation, normalization, summarization, question answering and text classification. Applications and data will have a biomedical focus, but no biology or medical background is required.


    INFO 773: Clinical Informatics JC
    CRN: 63802
    Min CR: 1
    Schedule Type: Lecture 
    Instructor: James J Cimino (P)

    Description

    Students will learn how to read, present, and critique research publications in clinical informatics. Journal Club participants will present high-impact recent journal publications selected by course instructors and learn how to read the paper, write critiques, and organize analysis insights into review papers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation prior to journal clubs and write critiques to show comprehension of the topics throughout the semester.


    INFO 791: Bioinformatics Seminar I
    CRN: 64964
    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 793: Bioinformatics Journal Club
    CRN: 64943
    Min CR: 2
    Schedule Type: Lecture
    Instructor: Jake Y Chen (P)

    Description

    Students will learn how to read, present, and critique primary research publications in bioinformatics. Journal club participants will present high-impact recent journal publications selected by course instructors and learn how to read the paper, write critiques, and organize analysis insights into review papers. Students must show evidence of prior preparation prior to journal clubs and write critiques to show comprehension of the topics throughout the semester.


    INFO 796: Intro to Biomed Info Research
    CRN: 64942
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lecture Online
    Instructor: Amy Wang (P)

    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, hands-on tool explorations, and a summative work product. 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

To register for graduate courses, click here