The Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics Track will provide guidance and structure to students with a desire to specialize in the study of inheritance and will formally recognize their chosen area of specialization in the description of their degree. The selected course offerings span the spectrum of studies within the area of inheritance, allowing students to select broadly from courses that provide sophisticated insight into genetic information and genetic analysis. The selected courses also allow students to dive deeply into different realms of genetics, including: emphasis on microbes (BIO 308 , BIO 309 and BIO 510 ); emphasis on animals (BIO 404 , BIO 405 , BIO 429 , BIO 527 ); emphasis on analytical technology (BIO 337 , BIO 404 , BIO 461G , BIO 510 , BIO 520 , STA 579, STA 580 , ABT 460 ); emphasis on development (BIO 404 , BIO 405 , BIO 429 , BIO 445 , BIO 527 , PGY 417 ; and emphasis on evolution (BIO 461G , BIO 508 , 518)
Students selecting this track will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the most important and fundamental theories and ideas in contemporary biology from a perspective that emphasizes inheritance, organization, and analysis of genetic information.
12 upper-level guided elective hours out of the required 13-15 hours of guided electives must be completed from the courses listed below. Of those 12 hours, a maximum of 3 hours can be independent research (BIO 394 /BIO 395 /BIO 397 ). The remaining 1-3 credit hours may come from the list of approved electives for the general biology track, which may include an additional 3 hours of independent research (BIO 394 /BIO 395 / BIO 397 ). A maximum of 6 credit hours of independent research can be counted toward the Biology degree. Of the 13-15 hours of total upper-level electives required, 9 credit hours must have a BIO prefix.