TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………...........1

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE…………………………………………………………..............2

PROGRAM ADDRESS……………………………………………………………….…...........3

PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND WELCOME……………………………………………........... 3

MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN GENETICS PROGRAM

      Training Faculty…...……………………….…………………………………………...….4-6

      Non-training Faculty…...….….………………….…………………….…………………….6

Staff…...…….…..………………………………………………..……….………..…………7

 

UCHSC....………………………………………………………………………..………………7

Graduate School – Dean’s Office – Graduate Student Office

Other important numbers – emergency numbers

 

ACADEMIC INFORMATION……………..…………………………..……..………………8-10

      Program Orientation

      Graduate School Orientation

      Financial Support

      Credit Hour Requirements

      Other Rules & Regulations and Information

 

GRADUATE CURRICULUM IN HUMAN MEDICAL GENETICS…....……...………….11-16

      Graduate Coursework                                

      Elective Courses

      Human Medical Genetics Seminar

 

“GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING” …………..………………………………..……..….…… 16

 

LABORATORY ROTATIONS…………………………...…………………………..……..…. 17

 

CHOOSING YOUR GRADUATE RESEARCH (THESIS) ADVISOR …….....….……...17-18

 

PRELIMINARY AND COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS ………….....……..…........18-19

 

THESIS COMMITTEE ……………………………………………………...…………..…..….20

 

PhD DISSERTATION ………………………………………………………...…….....……...21

 

DISCLAIMER…………………………………………………………………….……..………22

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

 

 

The Human Medical Genetics Program was initiated in 1996, and brings together investigators from the University of Colorado Denver campus, Children’s Hospital, and affiliated institutions and centers.  The Program provides a formal framework for an integrated, interdepartmental, and interdisciplinary faculty that builds on the Health Sciences Center's longstanding expertise in human and medical genetics.  A key component of the Program is its graduate-training program in human medical genetics, whose goal is to train students for careers as independent investigators in human genetics with emphasis on biomedical aspects of human biology.

Program Director & Address

Richard A. Spritz, MD                    

UCD at Anschutz Medical Campus

Human Medical Genetics Program

PO Box 6511, Mail Stop 8300

Aurora, CO 80045 USA

(303) 724-3107 – Office                                  

(303) 724-3100 – Fax                       

Richard.Spritz@UCDenver.edu             

 

 

Message of Welcome from the Program Director

 

The Human Medical Genetics Program at UCD is an interdisciplinary, inter-departmental Program designed to provide outstanding graduate training and research opportunities in all aspects of Human and Medical Genetics.  I and the HMGP faculty are committed to building a dynamic and outstanding Program that will provide vision, leadership, and focus for human and medical genetical activities at the University of Colorado into the 21^st century. 

 

The new millennium will see a revolution in almost all fields of medicine and biomedical research, as the DNA sequences of the human and other genomes become available, genes critical to development and disease and genetic variations that predispose to common debilitating diseases are discovered, tests to rapidly identify genetically susceptible individuals are developed, and new technologies to treat or even prevent these diseases are brought on line. These advances will result in improved health, longevity, and quality of life, and it is the mission of the Human Medical Genetics Program to be at the forefront of this revolution.  

 

The Human Medical Genetics graduate training program is relatively new.  Thus, students have the opportunity to help design its future. The Program is continually adding new Training Faculty, providing students with an outstanding group of human geneticists from whom to select as Thesis Advisors and mentors.  Our goal is to provide students with a world-class graduate training experience in an interactive and interdisciplinary environment that allows for an individualized learning experience.  We hope that you become as enthusiastic about the Program as we are, and we look forward to the chance to tell you more about it.

 

Research Training Program Faculty and Research Interests

 

          Dennis Ahnen, MD - Genetics of colon cancer

(303) 399-8020 x 3127 – Dennis.Ahnen@UCHSC.edu

 

Kristin Artinger, PhD - Molecular, genetic and developmental mechanisms involved in the patterning of the early neural plate during vertebrate embryogenesis

(303) 724-4562 – Kristen.Artinger@UCHSC.edu

 

David Cloutihier, PhD – Genetics of craniofacial and cardiovascular development

(303) 724-4565 – David.Clouthier@UCHSC.edu

 

            Mark Duncan, PhD – Biomedical proteomics, applications of mass spectrometry to

            Medicine, aging.

            (303) 724-3343 – Mark.Duncan@UCHSC.edu

           

George S. Eisenbarth, MD, PhD – Diabetes, Immunogenetics, and Immunology research

(303) 724-6847 x 6809 – George.Eisenbarth@UCHSC.edu

 

Pamela R. Fain, PhD –Population and quantitative genetics with an emphasis on autoimmune diseases

            (303) 724-6840 – Pam.Fain@UCHSC.edu

 

            Tasha Fingerlin, PhD - Association studies of complex disorders; type 2 diabetes mellitus

            (303) 315-7880 – Tasha.Fingerlin@UCHSC.edu

 

Curt Freed, MD-Neurotransplantation for Parkinson's Disease in man and experimental animals

            (303) 315-8455 – Curt.Freed@UCHSC.edu

 

Robert Freedman, MD-Genetics of schizophrenia; a7-nicotonic receptor

            (303) 315-8403 – Robert.Freedman@UCHSC.edu

 

Frank Frerman, PhD - Inherited metabolic diseases involving flavoproteins and iron-sulfur proteins

            (303) 724-3809 – Frank.Frerman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Katheleen Gardiner, PhD - Molecular genetics of Down Syndrome

            (303) 724-0572 – Katheleen.Gardiner@UCHSC.edu

 

Mark Geraci, MD – Microarray expression analysis to study disease pathogenesis. Eicosanoid biology in pulmonary vascular disease and lung cancer.

            (303) 315-7507 – Mark.Geraci@UCHSC.edu

 

Stephen I. Goodman, MD – Characterization of Biochemical and molecular defects in human glutaric and 2-hydroxyglutaric acidemias

            (303) 724-3825 – Stephen.Goodman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Nancy Hadley-Miller, MD – Genetics of scoliosis

(720) 777-6682 – Nancy.Hadley-Miller@UCHSC.edu

    

            Larry Hunter, PhD – Computational Pharmacology

(303) 724-3574 – Larry.Hunter@UCHSC.edu

 

Jan Kraus, PhD - Molecular basis of cystathionine b-synthase disorders in human

disease

            (303) 724-3812 – Jan.Kraus@UCHSC.edu

 

Sherry S. Leonard, PhD – genetic determinants related to schizophrenia & nicotine

addiction

(303) 724-4426 – Sherry.Leonard@UCHSC.edu

 

Sandra Martin, PhD – genome – transposon interactions and the role of changing

patterns of gene expression in evolutionary adaptation

            (303) 724-3467 – Sandy.Martin@UCHSC.edu

 

            Luisa Mestroni, MD-Genetics of adult heart disease; cardiomyopathies

            (303) 724-0577 – Luisa.Mestroni@UCHSC.edu

 

Lee Niswander, PhD - Genetic and cellular control of vertebrate embryonic development

In the neural tube and limbs

            (303) 724-3790 – Lee.Niswander@UCHSC.edu

 

Jill M. Norris, PhD - Genetics of type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and

obesity; Genetic epidemiology of type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and rheumatoid

arthritis

(303) 315-7587 – Jill.Norris@UCHSC.edu

  

Dennis Roop , PhD – Genetics of dermatology and skin development; stem cell biology

(303) 724-3042 – Dennis.Roop@UCHSC.edu

 

            Robert A. Sclafani, PhD – Mechanism of DNA replication and Induced Mutations

            In yeast, mouse and human cancer cells

(303) 724-3271 – Robert.Sclafani@UCHSC.edu

 

Nicholas W. Seeds, PhD – Neuro-developmental genetics

(303) 724-3123 – Nicholas.Seeds@UCHSC.edu

 

James Sikela, PhD – Genetics of alcoholism and drug abuse; evolution of human

and great ape genes and genomes

            (303) 724-3385 – James.Sikela@UCHSC.edu

 

            Richard A. Spritz, MD (Program Director) – Molecular genetics of diseases

            of pigmentation and the skin, genetics of autoimmune disorders, cleft lip and palate

            (303) 724-3107 – Richard.Spritz@UCHSC.edu

            Lori Sussel, PhD – Transcriptional regulation of pancreatic differentiation and

            Development in the mouse

            (303) 724-3280 – Lori.Sussel@UCHSC.edu

 

            Trevor Williams, PhD – Craniofacial Biology and Cell and Structural Biology

            (303) 724-4571 – Trevor.Williams@UCHSC.edu

 

Non-Training Program Faculty and Interests

 

            J. Bronwyn Bateman, MD – Genetics of eye disorders, ophthalmology

            (720) 848-2500 – Bronwyn.Bateman@UCHSC.edu

 

            Marileila Garcia, PhD – Cancer cytogenetics

            (303) 724-3147 – Marileila.Garcia@UCHSC.edu

 

            Judith Gault, PhD - The Genetics of Cerebral Vascular Malformations

            (303) 315-1071 – Judith.Gault@UCHSC.edu

 

            David Manchester, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6319 – Manchester.David@tchden.org

 

            York E. Miller, MD – Genetic analysis of human disease, epithelial cell biology

            303.393.2869 – york.miller@UCHSC.edu

 

            Elaine Spector, PhD – Mental retardation and developmental disorders; genetic testing

            (303) 724-3801 – Elaine.Spector@UCHSC.edu

 

            Eva Sujansky, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6320 – Sujansky.Eva@tchden.org

 

            Matthew Taylor, MD – Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardio Vascular Institute

            (303) 724-1400 – Matthew.Taylor@UCHSC.edu

 

            Janet Thomas, MD – Clinical genetics, genetic counseling

            (303) 861-6942 – Thomas.Janet@tchden.org

 

   Anne Chun-hui Tsai, MD – Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics,

   Clinical Geneticists,

 (303) 837-2759 – Tsai.Chun-hui@tchden.org

            Johan Van Hove, MD, PhD – Mental retardation developmental disorders and biochemical genetics

            (303) 724-3806 – Johan.Vanhove@UCHSC.edu

 

            Carol Walton, M.S. – Director, Genetic Counseling Program,

            (303) 861-6839 – Walton.Carol @tchden.org

           

Human Medical Genetics Program Staff

 

          Office Location – AMC – RC1 North, P18-3107

 

            Ms. MJ Stewart, Administrator

            (303) 724-3102 – MJ.Stewart@UCDenver.edu

           

            Ms. Melody Howard, Administrative Assistant III

            (303) 724-3101 – Melody.Howard@UCHSC.edu

 

UCD

 

Graduate School

 

            Dean’s Office – AO1

 

            John H. Freed, PhD, Dean, Graduate Schoo

            (303) 724-2911 – John.Freed@UCDenver.edu

 

            Milinda Walker, Assistant to the Dean

            (303) 724-2911 – Milinda.Walker@UCDenver.edu

 

            Graduate Student Affairs Office – Denison Building 1D01

 

            Fran Osterberg, M.S., Interim Assistant Dean and Director, Student Admissions and Support

            (303) 724-2915 – Fran.Osterberg@UCHSC.edu

 

            Teresa Bauer-Sogi, Administrative Assistant – Main Line for Information and Student Services

            (303) 724-2915 – Teresa.BauerSogi@UCHSC.edu

 

Other Important Numbers – Emergency Numbers

 

 

           

 

ACADEMIC INFORMATION        

 

·        Prior to arrival

            Each student is responsible for paying a $200.00 tuition deposit (refundable on leaving UCD) prior to admission to the Graduate School

 

·        Upon arrival        

            The Director of the Human Medical Genetics Program will serve as interim advisor for all

             In-coming students in the PhD program until a lab – major professor is chosen. 

            All lab rotations must have PRIOR approval by the Director.

 

Mail received in HMGP mailbox 8300 is delivered to the HMGP administrative office, RC1N, room 3107.

 

·        Checking account

            It is important to establish a checking account as soon as possible. The University issues all pay checks, including student stipends, as automatic deposits. Students should be sure they have a voided check or savings account deposit slip available when filling out payroll forms. Students are also required to produce a social security card and valid drivers license for payroll purposes.

 

·        In-state residency status

New students must immediately obtain documentation to support the Petition for State Residency (see #2 under Graduate Student Financial Support).  This is a very important priority for a new student. After the first full year, full funding will be available (assuming satisfactory academic progress), only if the student qualifies as an in-state resident.* The documents that must be obtained include local checking account, driver’s license or State I.D., and voter’s registration, as well as proof of Colorado domicile. Further information will be provided during the Graduate School Orientation. 

 

 

·         UCD identification card

Everyone on campus must carry – wear a UCD picture ID. This ID serves many purposes including enabling students to access the library, obtain parking, gain access to buildings after hours, and attend special University functions. After arriving on campus, student identification photographs will be taken. If you arrive prior to orientation, call the Human Medical Genetics Program Office at (303) 724-3102 to obtain the correct forms.  Next, call the Security Office at (303) 724-0399 make an appointment. Generally, however, IDs are generated at the Graduate School orientation at the end of August.

 

 

*International students cannot gain residency and will remain at an out-of-state tuition rate; they will not be personally responsible for the difference.

 

·        E-mail Access

Graduate students will obtain an account in the electronic mail and World Wide Web access system by contacting the Student Email Coordinator, Mary Mauck (mary.mauck@UCHSC.edu).  You will need to know both your Student Identification Number and your four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) to obtain an account in the system.  If you do not know your PIN, you may obtain it at the UCD Registrar’s Office in Admissions & Records by going there in person with a picture ID.

 

Instructions for obtaining an account in the system, workstation hardware requirements, and accessing the system are available at Graduate School Orientation or contacting Mary Mauck at the Library Learning Resource Center (303) 724-2129). In addition to remote access, computer workstations are located at Denison Memorial Library on the third floor Learning Resources Center.

 

·        Importance of attending the mandatory Graduate School Orientation

            Obtain ID’s with building accessibility

            Information on obtaining “in-state” residency status

            Information on insurance

            Information on Radiation Safety and Biohazard training

            Information on Library use

            Information on Email and Internet access

            Information on Parking

            Information on Graduate School rules and Expectations

 

 

Graduate Student Financial Support

 

During the first academic year, the Human Medical Genetics Program (HMGP) will support students with a stipend of $23,500 per year, paid monthly by 8:00 a.m. on the last working day of each month.  Monthly checks are automatically deposited into the bank account specified by the student. The Program also pays tuition, fees, and health – dental insurance for the first year and by the chosen Major Professor thereafter. Students are responsible for books, housing, etc. Immediately upon receipt 1^st year students are to bring their tuition bills to the Program Administrator in the HMGP office, all other HMGP students are to turn in their tuition bill to the appropriate financial person in their respective labs.  Not registering and – or paying a tuition bill by the deadlines set by Admission and Records will result in a $20.00 late fee. Students are personally responsible for paying all late fees and fines.  It may also activate a required pension fund deposit when you are not enrolled on time or carrying the right amount of credits (5 credits each semester September – May, summer 3 credits, or 1 if they are thesis credits and you are not defending in the summer semester).

 

Student expenses, including stipend, will be paid until graduation contingent on the student meeting the following conditions:

1)    Satisfactory academic progress

2)     Eligibility for in-state tuition after the first year.   Students who fail to qualify for in-state residency will be personally responsible for the difference between in-stateand out-of-state tuition. 

3)     Preliminary examination is passed at the end of the first year.

4)     Comprehensive examinations are given no later than October 1^st after the end of the     second academic year and must be completed successfully.

5)     After selection of a dissertation research advisor, it is the responsibility of the research            advisor to provide support.  Support refers to stipend, tuition, fees, and health – dental      insurance.

6)     The thesis defense is scheduled five years after entering the program.

 

·        International students cannot gain residency and will remain at an out-of-state tuition rate; they will not be personally responsible for the difference.

 

FinaNcial aid

 

Information regarding financial assistance is available at the Financial Aid office on the Second floor of the Bookstore building ((303) 315-8364).  You should plan to fill out all forms early.  Short-term, emergency loans are available.  Types of financial aid include: grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.  Grant and scholarship information for graduate students is also at the Graduate School.

Credit Hour Requirements

 

A minimum of 5 credits is required to be automatically enrolled for Student Health Insurance.  If you are carrying fewer than 5 semester credit hours you must contact the Student Health Services every fall semester to sign up for insurance.

 

Students need to register all 3 semesters in the academic year, a minimum of 5 credits in the fall and spring – 3 credits or 1 thesis hour in the summer to be considered full time.  You must be registered in the fall semester; to avoid retirement being taken out, you must register every semester.

 

The minimum requirement of the Graduate School for the PhD degree is 30 hours of didactic course work and 30 hours of research credits.  Human Medical Genetics Program requirements are outlined in the following section on Curriculum.

 

Other Rules & Regulations and Information

 

Rules & regulations and information that applies to all students on campus can be found in the Graduate School Student Handbook and the UCD Course Book on the web at UCD.edu – student.  You are responsible for knowing all rules and regulations on campus.  Not just those contained in this or the Graduate School handbook.  When viewing the calendars be sure to refer only to the “Graduate School” Basic Sciences calendar. Remember, Basic Science students, where lab work, rotations, and stipends are involved, must return on the first day after January 1^st, regardless of what the Graduate School Calendar says.

GRADUATE CURRICULUM IN HUMAN MEDICAL GENETICS

 

The HMGP graduate curriculum includes didactic courses, laboratory rotations, a seminar series, and a seminar-based discussion group.  The heart of the first-year curriculum is a basic core course taken by students in a number of different graduate programs at UCD, including Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell and Developmental Biology, and Human Medical Genetics during the fall and spring semesters.  These courses serve as a basic science bridge to the more specific content of human medical genetics.  The main course in Human Medical Genetics, designated HMGP 7600, is a three-credit, course taught in the spring semester of the first year by the Program faculty.  It covers basic Mendelian genetics, multifactorial and mitochondrial inheritance, cytogenetics, imprinting, mutation, the molecular and biochemical bases of genetic disease, quantitative (population) genetics, the Human Genome Project and gene mapping, immunogenetics and cancer genetics, genetic screening and genetic counseling, and other topics.

 

The Graduate School requires at least 30 semester hours in course work (rotations and research courses taken prior to the completion of the comprehensive examination) and 30 semester hours of thesis – didactic credits for the PhD (thesis hours cannot be accumulated until the quarter before the Comprehensive Exam is passed) and the first 30 credit hours have been accumulated.  All work undertaken as a graduate student must be in compliance with the academic Code of Honor (see Appendix A of UCD Graduate Student Handbook, which you will receive in the Graduate School packet prior to coming to campus). 

 

The student, in consultation with the student’s Major Professor and Advisory Committee, will select elective courses.  These elective courses will be chosen based on relevance to the research program of the student.  These may include courses in any of the graduate Departments and Programs at UCD and courses in the curriculum for medical students to provide a better background in human biology.

 

Regular attendance at the Human Medical Genetics seminar series is mandatory for HMGP students throughout their graduate training.  First- and second-year students are also expected to take part in a discussion course based on the HMGP seminar series, giving students the opportunity to interact one-on-one with world-renowned geneticists.

 

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the highest academic degree conferred by the University.  To state the requirements of the degree in terms of credit hours would be misleading because the degree is not conferred merely upon the satisfactory completion of a course of study, however faithfully pursued.  Students who receive this degree must demonstrate that they are proficient in some broad subject of learning and that they can critically evaluate work in this field; furthermore, they must have shown the ability to work independently in their chosen field and must have made an original contribution of significance to the advancement of knowledge.

Graduate Coursework

HMGP first-year curriculum

Topics in Human Genetics          HMGP 7610              1.0 cr. (fall sem.)

                                                            HMGP 7610              1.0 cr. (spring sem.)

 

Grade for class will be given at the end of the 2 semesters for 2 credits but student must register each semester for one credit.  Two semester course based on weekly HMGP Seminar Series, (Thursdays 4-5 p.m.) and students meet with speaker to discuss seminar topic and arranged readings. (Thursdays 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.)  Grade is based on participation in class discussions all three-quarters and a final term paper.  Required for 1^st and 2^nd year students.

 

Survey of Genetics                        HMGP 7600              2.0 cr. (Spring Sem., first year)

 

Mendelian Principles I, II

Pedigree analysis, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, pseudodominance, X-linked recessive, X-linked dominant, X-inactivation

Human Chromosomes I, II, Ill

Chromosome structure and organization, cytogenetic methods, major human aneuploidies, translocations, deletions, major contiguous gene syndromes and concepts, genomic imprinting

Molecular Basis of Disease I, II, III, IV

Hemoglobin as a model.  Hemoglobinopathies: unstable hemoglobins, methemoglobins, sickle hemoglobins.  Thalassemias: chain elongation variants, gene deletions, complex gene rearrangements, point mutations (transcription, RNA splicing, polyadenylation, translational initiation, nonsense, and frameshift mutants)

Mechanisms of Dominance I, II

Biochemical and molecular mechanisms of dominant genetic disease

Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders

Biochemical Basis of Disease I, II, III

Amino acid, fatty acid, and lysosomal disorders and the relationship between their mutations, biochemistry, and phenotypes

Genome Instability Syndromes

Genes that Rearrange—Immunoglobulin and T-Cell Receptor Genes

Cancer Genetics I, II

Genetic susceptibility to cancer: Germ line mutations and somatic genetic events; dominant oncogenes and mechanisms of activation, tumor suppressor genes and mechanisms of inactivation.  DNA repair genes and genomic instability.

The Human Genome Project

Gene Mapping Approaches I, II

Approaches to gene mapping: Somatic cell genetics, linkage, and cytogenetic methods. Family studies.

Human Quantitative Genetics I, II

Multifactorial traits, threshold model, quantitative traits

Quantitative Research Techniques I, II, III

Linkage analysis, identity-by-descent methods, sib-pair and affected-only methods, transmission disequilibrium test

Genetic Screening

Prenatal Diagnosis

Genetic Counseling

 

Research in Human Medical Genetic

                                                                              

1^st lab rotation:  Aug. 28 – Nov. 17     HMGP7650-0V1    1.0 cr. during 1st year (fall Sem.*) - Call # 01225

 

2^nd lab rotation: Nov. 20 – Feb. 23     HMGP7650-0V2    1.0 cr. during 1st year (fall Sem.*) - Call # 01226

 

3^rd lab rotation: Mar. 6 – May 19         HMGP7650    1.0 cr. during 1st year (spring sem.*)

 

 

Credits for lab rotations

 

*If a summer rotation is taken, it is 1 credit.  (In the second year, these credits may increase or decrease depending on class load and need toward accumulating 30 credit hours in the first two (2) years prior to comprehensive exams.

 

Core Graduate School first-year curriculum (fall semester, 1^st year)

 

Biomedical Sciences Core Course I             IDPT 7801        3.33 cr. (fall sem., 8 – 28-10 – 02 1^st year)                                                                                                 Call # 01058                                                                                                

 

Biomedical Sciences Core Course II            IDPT 7802        3.33 cr. (fall sem., 10 – 03-11 – 06 1^st year)                                                                                                 Call # 01059                                                                                           

 

Biomedical Sciences Core Course III           IDPT 7802        3.4 cr. (fall sem., 11 – 07-12 – 12 1^st year)                                                                                                 Call # 01060          

 

Unified presentation of fundamental principles of biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology. 

All incoming HMGP students are required to take the Pharmacology research ethics course listed below.  This course is NIH-approved as a prerequisite for NRSA funding. 

 

Ethics in Research                                       PHCL 7605        1.0 cr. (fall sem.)   Min:4 – Max:40

                                                                           Call # 01174

Pharmacology Office (303) 724-3619

 

This is a course designed to introduce graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to issues around ethics of research, publication, and reviewing of manuscripts and grants.  Lectures and class discussions in small groups of the history of scientific fraud, examples from recent cases, examples of ethical dilemmas and consequences of fraud will be covered.

HMGP Second-year Curriculum (all semesters)

 

Topics in Human Genetics                         HMGP 7610       1.0 cr. (fall sem.)

                                                                           Call # 01224

                                                                           HMGP 7610       1.0 cr. (spring sem.)

                                                                          

Grade for class will be given at the end of the 2 semesters for 2 credits but student must register each semester for one credit. Two semester course based on weekly HMGP Seminar Series, (Thursdays 4-5 p.m.) and students meet with the speaker to discuss seminar topic and arranged readings.  (Thursday 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.)  Grade is based on participation in class discussions both semesters and a term paper.  Required for 1^st and 2^nd year students.

 

 

Research in Human Medical Genetics    HMGP 7650       Credits as needed

                                                                          

Lab work in second year (adjust credits so when added to first year credits and second year elective credits, student has a minimum of 30 credits at the end of the second year).

 

Electives                                                          To be determined

 

Electives that you and your Major Professor and Comp Advisory Committee decide you should have to broaden your knowledge and enhance your research.

 

HMGP Third-year and beyond

 

Doctoral Thesis in Human Medical Genetics     HMGP 8990     Credits as needed

                                                                                       01227

Doctoral Research (an accumulation of at least 30 credits of research on your thesis and elective credits)

 

Electives                                                                       To be determined

 

Electives that you and your Major Professor and Thesis Advisory Committee decide you should have to broaden your knowledge and enhance your research.

 

Other HMGP Courses

 

Genomics                                                                     HMGP7620        2.0 cr. (spring sem.)

                                                                                       

The goal of this course is to provide a thorough coverage of the field of genomics, including principles, methods and applications.  Topics covered will include genome sequencing and mapping approaches, bioinformatics tools, DNA chips, comparative genomics, human DNA variation, disease gene discovery and diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, biological insights emerging from genome analysis, and ethical issues arising from genome-based knowledge.

 

Independent Study (offered as needed)                 HMGP7630        Credits as needed (1-2 cr.)

                                                                                        
Human Medical Genetics Seminar

 

During the fall and spring semesters the Human Medical Genetics Program sponsors a Seminar Series. Seminars are presented every Thursday at 4 PM in one of the campus auditoriums, and cover a wide range of topics by distinguished speakers. Presenters include not only Genetics and other UCD faculty members, but also renowned scientists from the U.S. and abroad. All HMGP graduate students are required to attend the Thursday seminars. Interested students will also have the opportunity to visit with the speakers, and this is strongly encouraged.

 

“GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING”

 

All UCD graduate students must maintain an average of "B" (3.0) or better in their course work.  Students are expected to earn a "B" (3.0) or better in all required courses.  Only in exceptional circumstances may a "B-" in a required course be acceptable, as determined by petition to the Graduate Committee.  Required courses completed with a grade of below "B-" cannot be counted towards PhD requirements.

 

Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on Academic Probation by the Graduate School.  They have two semesters in which to raise their GPA to 3.0 or above for removal from Academic Probation.  The University of Colorado System Rules require that after a student is put on academic probation, he – she must maintain a 3.0 in all subsequent semesters.  Failing to meet either condition may be grounds for dismissal from the Graduate School.

 

The Human Medical Genetics Program defines “good academic standing” as a 3.0 GPA or better without any grade lower than a "B" in any required course.  The Graduate Committee will review students not in good academic standing at the end of each quarter.  A "B-" or below in any required course is considered unsatisfactory academic progress and more than one "B-" or below may be grounds for dismissal from the Program.

 

A graduate student who receives an unsatisfactory grade in a course (a “B-“ or below) may repeat that course once, upon written recommendation from the Graduate Committee and approval by the Graduate School (provided the course has not been previously applied toward a degree).  The two grades received will be averaged in calculating the grade point average, and all grades received will appear on the student's transcript.  The course may be counted only once toward satisfying the unit requirement for the degree.

 

Any Program student who receives a grade lower than “B” in research will be immediately dismissed from the Program and from the Graduate School.

LABORATORY ROTATIONS

 

Before selecting a thesis advisor, students will complete three 10-week rotations with members of the Human Medical Genetics Program Training Faculty.  Rotations can only be taken in laboratories of Program Training Faculty, except with special permission from the Program Director. Rotations are arranged by discussion with Program faculty member and in consultation with the Program Director.  The student is responsible for contacting potential lab rotation advisors and scheduling his – her lab rotations in a timely manner.  A HMGP faculty member may only have one Genetics student rotating in his – her laboratory at a time. In special instances a fourth HMGP rotation may be done during the summer, but this is to be arranged with permission of the Program Director.

 

Each laboratory rotation requires:

 

(1)     A short (1-2 page) description of the rotation project by the end of the first week.  This description will be signed by the Faculty rotation mentor and will be provided to the Program Director for the student’s file; the lab work itself;

(2)       A final paper about the results of the research (3-5 pages), following the general format and organization of a research paper published in a peer-reviewed journal.  This paper is due no later than the second week of the next quarter.  This paper must be discussed with and signed by the Faculty rotation mentor, and will be provided to the Program Director for the student’s file;

(3)       A short written evaluation of the student's rotation by the Faculty mentor. The evaluation will be discussed with the student, and each rotation will be graded (A, B, C, D, F) by the Faculty rotation mentor.  A copy of the written evaluation will be given to the Program Director for the student’s file.

 

MSTP students will follow the rotation guidelines of the MSTP program.

 

CHOOSING YOUR GRADUATE RESEARCH (THESIS) ADVISOR

 

The student at the end of the third rotation chooses the research advisor (Major Professor).  The research advisor must be a member of the Human Medical Genetics Program Training Faculty, and the choice must be made by mutual consent of the student and faculty member, and with the consent of the Program Director.

 

 Within one month of choosing a Major Professor each student will, with the advice of that Major Professor, choose a Comprehensive Advisory Committee to consist of five UCD faculty (not excluding the Major Professor), all of whom must have graduate faculty status (although in special cases faculty without graduate status may be granted limited status for the purpose of serving on a specific student's Comprehensive Advisory Committee). At least three members of the student's Comprehensive Advisory Committee must be members of the Human Medical Genetics program, although not necessarily Training Faculty.

The Comprehensive Advisory Committee will meet with the student on at least on an annual basis between September and August, and will monitor the student's progress and provide advice regarding recommended coursework and research.  A report of Comprehensive Advisory Committee meetings consisting of the date, place, attendees, overview of material discussed and recommendations to student is to be signed by the student and the chair of the committee.  The report is to be submitted to the HMGP office and placed in the student’s record.

 

PRELIMINARY AND COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

 

There are two milestone examinations for all graduate students in the Human Medical Genetics Program. The first examination, given at the end of the first year, is the Program administered Preliminary Examination. The second examination, given at the end of the second year, is the University administered Comprehensive Examination.

 

Preliminary Examination.  The Preliminary Examination is a two–part exam.  The first section is on the first of a 2-day exam and covers material from the CORE classes.  The second day is the HMGP portion.  All students are required to pass a preliminary examination at the completion of the first academic year.  This examination is based on material covered in the basic science core course curriculum. A 70% overall average is required for passing. The graduate committee of the program, in consultation with the student’s advisor, establishes the guidelines for pass – fail, reviews the exam results, and makes its recommendation to the Program Faculty.  Students who fail the exam may be dismissed from the Program or given the chance to retake the exam, depending on their overall academic record in coursework and in the laboratory, as determined by their Major Professor and the Program Director. Students who are allowed to retake the Preliminary Exam will do so in the next academic year when the exam is typically administered; the entire examination must be retaken. Passage of the Preliminary Examination is a prerequisite for taking the Comprehensive Examination.

 

Comprehensive Examination.  Students are required to pass a comprehensive examination to advance to candidacy for the PhD The Comprehensive Advisory Committee will administer the student's comprehensive qualifying exam, no later than the October 1 following completion of the student's second year.

 

The comprehensive qualifying exam will consist of the student preparing a thesis proposal, written in the format of a NIH grant proposal and prepared without direct input from the Major Professor. The thesis proposal will be reviewed by the Preliminary Advisory Committee and will be followed by an oral examination administered by the Committee that will be based on the thesis proposal. However, the nature of a "comprehensive exam" requires that the student be prepared for the examination to cover a wide range of relevant topics in human genetics. No "minor proposal" is required.

 

Prior to scheduling this examination, students must have completed all required course work, including the minimum number of elective credit hours (a total of 30 credit hours). Students must obtain a PhD Application for Candidacy packet from the Graduate School, which must be completed and submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date. Students must be registered for at least one thesis credit hour

during the semester in which the examination is taken.

 

General Guidelines for University Comprehensive Examinations

 

1.                  The topic may or may not be related to the students’ future thesis topic (however, the Human Medical Genetics Program requires that the Comprehensive exam topic must be related to the future thesis topic).

2.                  Students must obtain approval of their topic from the Program Director, as well as the members of their Comprehensive Advisory Committee.

3.                  The Comprehensive Committee is composed of five members, at least three of whom must be HMGP faculty (Not excluding your advisor), and at least one who must be external to the Human Medical Genetics Program and – or outside the programs training faculty. The chair of the Committee must be from the HMGP. The proposal must be distributed to the Committee at least one full week prior to the defense date. On the student's passing the Comprehensive Qualifying exam the Comprehensive Advisory Committee will be dissolved.

4.                  The proposal should follow standard NIH-type R01 grant application format

5.                  The proposal should be approximately 10-15 single-spaced, typewritten pages, exclusive of citations. The time frame involved should be such that the work could be completed in 2-3 years (similar in nature to a pre-doctoral or post-doctoral fellowship grant such as an NRSA).

6.                  Students will need to spend a significant period of time reading the primary literature related to the topic and be able to summarize its relevance to their own proposal.

7.                  Assuming the topic of the proposal is related to or exactly the students’ thesis project, it is understood that the proposal is the product of the student, not the mentor. It is not appropriate for students to “cut and paste” from their mentors’ RO1 or other grants – papers to obtain a basis for their own grant proposals. Students may discuss ideas, aims, and approaches with mentors, however. The intent is for students to compose and defend a unique, independent, and defensible product.

8.                  The examination format is generally a public 20-minute, oral, formal summary of the proposal by the candidate. This is also an opportunity for the candidate to clarify any changes in thinking between submittal of the proposal and the actual defense. Members of the general audience may ask questions at the end of the presentation and then are dismissed; at which time the Committee examines the candidate. At the conclusion of the questioning, the candidate is dismissed, and the Committee goes into private session to discuss and determine the evaluation of the examination.

9.                  The Graduate School guidelines stipulate that the University Comprehensive Examination is pass – fail only. Failure requires termination from the program. A “pass with contingencies” as dictated by members of the Examination Committee is acceptable. The Committee may decide for any reason to have a continuation of the examination.  Comprehensive examinations are publicly posted across from the Admission’s office. All Human Medical Genetics Program Faculty members are urged to attend these exams.

Clarification of Graduate School Rules for Examination Results

 

PASS

This means that you have passed the Examination and may continue in the program as a candidate for the PhD degree.  You will need to pay attention to the rules regarding registration of thesis hours found in the Graduate School Handbook.

 

PASS WITH CONDITIONS

This means that you passed, pending the completion of conditions imposed by your Committee. You should start to register for thesis hours as if you had passed without conditions.

 

FAIL

This means you have failed the Examination. The Graduate School rules stipulate those students who fail the Comprehensive Examination will be dismissed from the degree program.  A retake may be granted if your Committee felt that your performance was weak but not a total failure.  You will need to complete remedial work and retake your exam within six months.

 

THESIS COMMITTEE

 

Within one month of the passing the Comprehensive Examination, the student must select a Thesis Advisory Committee, again consisting of five UCD faculty with graduate faculty status, at least three of whom must be members of the Human Medical Genetics Program. The Chair must be an HMGP faculty member.  Members of the previous Comprehensive Advisory Committee may be invited to serve on the Thesis Advisory Committee. In addition, the inclusion of additional Committee members with special expertise from outside UCD is encouraged if appropriate. The student will meet with the Thesis Advisory Committee at least every 6 months. The Chair and student should keep records of these meetings.  Students must take the initiative in scheduling Advisory Committee meetings. The Thesis Advisory Committee will determine when a student is deemed prepared to write, presents, and defend the PhD thesis. The Committee will attend the public thesis defense and will subsequently administer a final oral examination based on both the written thesis and on the public defense.  The Student needs to register for 5 dissertation hours during 2 out of 3 semesters (summer semester you can register for 1 dissertation hour as long as you aren’t defending in that semester).

The PhD Dissertation

 

The PhD dissertation will follow the rules of the University of Colorado. The dissertation is partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and is based on original research demonstrating mature scholarship, critical judgment and familiarity with the methods of research.  The quality of the work is to be that maintained by peer reviewed journals in the field. A student must present his – her research results and plans to the Thesis Advisory Committee every six months at regular meetings after advancing to candidacy.  A report of Advisory Committee meetings consisting of the time, date, place, attendees, overview of material discussed and recommendations to student is to be signed by the student and chair of the committee.  The report is to be submitted to the HMGP office and placed in the students record.  The Program Director and Thesis Advisory Committee prior to the dissertation defense must approve the dissertation. The student must be registered for five thesis credit hours in the semester of the thesis defense and must fill out required forms for the scheduling of an examination at least 2 weeks before the examination date; these forms can be obtained from the Graduate School Office or on their website (http: – – www.UCHSC.edu – gs – gs – ).

 

Each member of the Thesis Advisory Committee must receive a finalized draft of the thesis at least two weeks before the examination date. For the thesis defense, the student presents a 10-minute synopsis of the contributions made to the understanding of a particular scientific problem by the dissertation work. The Committee then questions the student about the work. In order to pass the examination, the student must receive affirmative votes from the majority of the members of the Committee. Thesis Advisory Committees, like Comprehensive Examination Committees, may impose conditions before conferring a pass.

 

Students are also required to present a public thesis summary seminar; this seminar is designed to present the thesis project to the faculty as a whole. This seminar must be scheduled prior to the defense.

 

The student must submit to the Graduate School and his – her program a completed and approved library copy of the thesis and appropriate additional documents, in the format required by the University of Colorado. The Graduate School holds regular training sessions to go over the guidelines.

 

DISCLAIMER FOR STUDENT HANDBOOK

 

This handbook, which includes parts of the Graduate School Rules, does not constitute a contract with the University of Colorado Denver Human Medical Genetics Program, either expressed or implied.  The Graduate School and – or the Human Medical Genetics Program reserves the right at any time to change, delete, or add to any of the provisions in this handbook at their sole discretion.  Furthermore, the provisions of this document are designed by the Human Medical Genetics Program and Graduate School to serve as firm guidelines rather than absolute rules, and exceptions may be made on the basis of extenuating circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

08 – 2005