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Undergraduate Program

Bachelor of Science in Genetics and Genomic Sciences

The UAB Undergraduate Program in Genetics and Genomic Sciences (GGS) is designed to nurture a new generation of scientists equipped for a career in genetics research. Genetics and genomic sciences is a rapidly advancing field offering opportunities in academics, government research, medicine, biotechnology and other health-related sciences. This program is an interdisciplinary major in partnership with the Department of Genetics in the School of Medicine and the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences and taught by experts across campus. 

The program's mission is to provide students with strong educational and research experiences to prepare them for a career in genetics and genomics-related health sciences and research. Opportunities to develop skills in leadership, teaching, research and scholarship are also available. 

Click here for a Plan of Study

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Undergraduate Genetics Courses 

Click here for a course listing of Genetics courses offered at the undergraduate level. 

Below is a listing of clsses offered during the next semester. 

  • Summer 2023

    Summer 2023

    GGSC 380: UG Research Genetics/Genomics
    CRN: 46306
    Min CR: 1
    Max CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Undergraduate Research
    Instructor: TBA

    Description

    Research project for non-GGS Honors students under the supervision of a faculty sponsor. May be repeated for a total of 9 semester credit hours in a 2 or 3 semester period.

    GGSC 390: Hon Research Genetics/Genomics
    CRN: 46307
    Min CR: 1
    Max CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Undergraduate Research 
    Instructor: TBA

    Description 

    Research project for GGS Honors students under the supervision of a faculty sponsor. May be repeated for a total of 9 semester credit hours in a 2 or 3 semester period.

    GGSC 499: GGSC Program Final
    CRN: 48269
    Min CR: 0
    Schedule Type: Independent Study Online
    Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P)

    Description

    This 0-credit hour course includes two self-paced components: One career counseling recorded video and data collection from students via CV submission and an automated exit inerview for documenting learning essentials of GGSC students towards GGSC program evaluation. Students will register for GGSC 499 during their last semester as a requirement for graduation with GGSC major. The GGSC program director(s) will be the faculty instructor(s) with assistance from the GGSC program manager and student advisor.

    GGSC 390: Research in Bioinformatics
    CRN: 46312
    Min CR: 0
    Max CR: 4
    Schedule Type: Undergraduate Research
    Instructor: Elliot J Lefkowitz (P)

    Prerequisites 

    Undergraduate level PSDO 200 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    Research in Bioinformatics for non-honors students under the supervision of a faculty sponsor

    GGSC 498: Honors Bioinformatics Research
    CRN: 46313
    Min CR: 0
    Max CR: 4
    Schedule Type: Capstone Course Undergraduate Research
    Instructor: Elliot J Lefkowitz (P)

    Prerequisites 

    Undergraduate level PSDO 200 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CS 103 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    Honors Research is an innovative course that will provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in rigorous scholarly practice of the core bioinformatics skills necessary for performing independent research. Program faculty will closely work with students to identify a project that explores an area of interest for the student based on the integration of prior learning. Students will be performing bioinformatics analyses on laboratory data or publicly available large-scale data, incorporate quality control and develop software pipelines.

    GGSC 499: Zebrafish Models
    CRN: 46314
    Min CR: 3
    Schedule Type: Lab Capstone Course
    Instructor: Elliot J Lefkowitz (P)

    Prerequisites 

    Undergraduate level INFO 403 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level INFO 404 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level PSDO 200 Minimum Grade of C

    Description

    Students will be allowed to rotate to different program faculty or continue with their mentor from BY/CS 498 Bioinformatics Capstone Research I. With close mentoring and guidance from program faculty, the student will identify a capstone project or continue their existing bioinformatics project. The capstone project is expected to culminate in a formal scholarly work reflecting integration of the scientific knowledge gained through the project. The scholarly work may take the form or a written manuscript or semester report.

To register for courses, click here.