The Human Medical Genetics Program at UCD
The Program
The Human Medical Genetics Program at the University of Colorado Denver
and Health Sciences Center is a relatively new, interdisciplinary Ph.D.
program designed to provide research training in the rapidly developing
area of human genetics, especially as it regards medical aspects of the
discipline.
Course Curriculum
During the first year of study, a basic core curriculum provides the student
with a general background in biological sciences and includes advanced
biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, eukaryotic genetics, and
molocular biology. Experimental approaches to areas in human genetics
are introduced after the core curriculum and include population genetics
and introduction to human genetic disease, among other topics. Throughout
their years of graduate study, students participate in the seminar program
in which visiting speakers, faculty, and students discuss current topics
in human genetics. Speakers meet with students as a group to discuss science
in an intimate and interactive setting. Also during this time, students
take additional coursework which is directly related to their research
interests. The latter coursework is kept to a minimum and may include
courses in the medical school curriculum to obtain a better background
in medical aspects of human biology.
Thesis Research
Following successful completion of three laboratory rotations during the
first year, students select a laboratory of the training faculty in which
to carry out their dissertation research. Research opportunities are offered
in a broad range of interdisciplinary areas including cancer genetics,
genomics, human genetic and chromosomal disease, inherited metabolic disease,
basic human molecular biology, and structural investigations of mutant
human proteins and nucleic acids. The wide range of research interests
represented by a diverse faculty group allows a multifaceted focus on
human medical genetics.