GGSC 310: Genome Structure/Organization
CRN: 41437
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Michael Crowley (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level BY 210 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 117 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 118 Minimum Grade of C

Description

This course will cover the general concepts of genomics including gene structure and function, genomic technologies and their applications, and comparative genomics.

GGSC 320: Colloquium Genetics/Genomics
CRN: 41438
Min CR: 1
Schedule Type: Seminar
Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P

Description

Faculty-led seminar course that exposes students to cutting edge research topics and career opportunities in the fields of genetics and genomics. Students will read assigned articles and be prepared for discussion.

GGSC 380: UG Research Genetics/Genomics
CRN: 41439
Min CR: 1
Max CR: 3
Schedule Type: Undergraduate Research
Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P)

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: UG Research Genetics/Genomics
CRN: 41440
Min CR: 1
Max CR: 3
Schedule Type: Undergraduate Research
Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P)

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 410: Genetics of Disease
CRN: 41441
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Jon D Sharer (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level BY 210 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 117 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 118 Minimum Grade of C and (Undergraduate level GGSC 310 Minimum Grade of C or Undergraduate level BY 311 Minimum Grade of C)

Description

This course will focus on the medical applications of genetics and genomic technologies. Topics covered include, but are not limited to major forms of chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis.

GGSC 435: Zebrafish Models
CRN: 43713
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Ryan M Centini (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level CH 117 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 118 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level BY 210 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level GGSC 310 Minimum Grade of C

Description

This course will focus on the biology, husbandry, and management of zebrafish used as an animal model of human disease in biomedical research. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, systems design, water quality management, behavior and enrichment, spawning and larviculture, nutrition and live feeds, diseases, quarantine, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.

GGSC 470: Pharmacogenetics
CRN: 43715
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Tatjana Coric (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level CH 117 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 118 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level BY 210 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level GGSC 310 Minimum Grade of C

Description

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of pharmacogenetics, demonstrate examples of drug/genotype interactions, highlight the available pharmacogenetic resources, and discuss the potential benefits, as well as limitations and challenges of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.

GGSC 491: Personalized Genomic Medicine
CRN: 41442
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture Capstone Course
Instructor: Deeann Wallis-Schultz (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level BY 210 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 117 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CH 118 Minimum Grade of C and (Undergraduate level GGSC 310 Minimum Grade of C or Undergraduate level BY 311 Minimum Grade of C)

Description

This course will focus on exploring state-of-the-art genetic, genomic, and informatic tools now available to enable personalization of healthcare. Capstone course (GGS majors). Students that enroll in this class as their capstone experience are expected to do writing or presentation assignments to fulfill their capstone requirement.

GGSC 492: UG Res Sem-Genetics/Genomics
CRN: 42204
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Capstone Course Seminar
Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P)

Description

Elective course for non-GGS Honors students who perform at least two semesters of GGSC 380. Over the course of the semester, students will learn how to develop and complete a paper or thesis on their research work while working closely with a supervising faculty member. In addition, the course will prepare them to present their research findings in a seminar format. Through these activities, students will develop effective skills in both written and oral scientific communication. Students will present a formal seminar on their research at the end of the course. This course can be taken the first semester following the completion of the research project, or alternatively can be taken concurrently with Undergraduate Research in Genetics and Genomic Sciences (GGSC 380) during the student’s final semester of supervised research. Designated a Capstone course (GGS majors).

GGSC 493: Hon Res Sem-Genetics/Genomics
CRN: 42205
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture Capstone Course 
Instructor: Wioletta Czaja (P)

Description

All GGS Honors students are required to take this weekly course. Over the course of the semester, students will learn how to develop and complete a paper or thesis on their research work while working closely with a supervising faculty member. In addition, the course will prepare them to present their research findings in a seminar format. Through these activities, students will develop effective skills in both written and oral scientific communication. Students will present a formal seminar on their research at the end of the course. This course can be taken the first semester following the completion of the research project, or alternatively can be taken concurrently with Honors Research in Genetics and Genomic Sciences (GGSC 390) during the student’s final semester of supervised research. Can be taken as a Capstone course (GGS majors).

GGSC 499: GGSC Program Final
CRN: 47733
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 interview 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. Register last semester, req. for graduation w/GGSC major.

GGSC 610: Genetics of Disease
CRN: 42202
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Jon D Sharer (P)

Description

This course will focus on the medical applications of genetics and genomic technologies. Topics covered include, but are not limited to major forms of chromosomal abnormalities, mutations and genetic disorders, genetic risk assessment and population genetics, and genomic approaches to diagnosis.

GGSC 635: Zebrafish Models
CRN: 43714
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Ryan M Centini (P)

Description

This course will focus on the biology, husbandry, and management of zebrafish used as an animal model of human disease in biomedical research. The course is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. Topics will include anatomy, physiology, systems design, water quality management, behavior and enrichment, spawning and larviculture, nutrition and live feeds, diseases, quarantine, biosecurity, and regulatory compliance.

GGSC 670: Pharmacogenetics
CRN: 43716
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Tatjana Coric (P)

Description

This course will introduce students to the basic principles of pharmacogenetics, demonstrate examples of drug/genotype interactions, highlight the available pharmacogenetic resources, and discuss the potential benefits, as well as limitations and challenges of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.

GGSC 691: Personalized Genomic Medicine
CRN: 42203
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture 
Instructor: Deeann Wallis-Schultz (P)

Description

Significant developments in the fields of genetics and genomics are making it possible to tailor medical care to the specific needs of patients. New diagnostic tests, up to and including whole genome sequencing, provide increasingly powerful tools for the identification of the genetic basis of both rare and common disorders. Better understanding of the causes of disease are permitting drugs to be developed that precisely target disease mechanisms, increasing the efficacy and avoiding side effects. These and other new advanced are leading to major changes in healthcare delivery and provide the consumer with new opportunities and complex choices. This course will focus on exploring state-of-the-art genetic, genomic, and informatic tools now available to enable personalization of healthcare. Capstone course (GGS majors). Students that enroll in this class as their capstone experience are expected to do writing or presentation assignments to fulfill their capstone requirement.

INFO 101: Intro Bioinformatics Sem
CRN: 42206
Min CR: 1
Schedule Type: Lecture/Lab
Instructor: Elliot J Lefkowitz (P)

Description

Faculty-led seminar course that exposes students to cutting edge research topics and career opportunities in the field of bioinformatics. Students will read assigned articles and be prepared for discussion. Subject matter varies by term and students will take this course during multiple semesters for a maximum of two credits.

INFO 103: Bioinformatics-II
CRN: 45983
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Ryan L Melvin (P)

Prerequisites

Undergraduate level INFO 302 Minimum Grade of C and Undergraduate level CS 303 Minimum Grade of C

Description

Development of computational algorithms to solve biological questions with a significant problem-solving component. This includes computational techniques such as dynamic programming, optimization, hidden Markov models, graph algorithms, and other mathematical and statistical approaches. In addition, data mining and machine learning methods in computational biology will be covered.

INFO 497: Research in Bioinformatics
CRN: 43717
Min CR: 0
Max CR: 4
Schedule Type: 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

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

INFO 498: Honors Bioinformatics Research
CRN: 43718
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.

INFO 602: Algorithms in Bioinformatics
CRN: 42384
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture
Instructor: Ryan L Mevin (P)

Prerequisites

Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

Description

This course introduces various fundamental algorithms and computational concepts for solving questions in bioinformatics and functional genomics. These include graph algorithms, dynamic programming, combinatorial algorithms, randomized algorithms, pattern matching, classification and clustering algorithms, hidden Markov models and more. Each concept will be introduced in the context of a concrete biological or genomic application. A broad range of topics will be covered, ranging from genome annotation, genome reconstruction, microarray data analysis, phylogeny reconstruction, sequence alignments, to variant detection.

INFO 603: Biological Data Management 
CRN: 46894
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture Online
Instructor: Jake Y Chen (P)

Prerequisites

Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

Description

The introduction of biological data management concepts, theories, and applications. Basic concepts such as relational data representation, relational database modeling, and relational database queries will be introduced in the context of SQL and relational algebra. Advanced concepts including ontology representation and database development workflow will be introduced. Emerging big data concepts and tools, including Hadoop and NoSQL, will be introduced in the context of managing semi-structured and unstructured data. Application of biological data management in biology will be covered using case studies of high-impact widely used biological databases. A class project will be required of all participants.

INFO 604: Next-gen Sequ Data Analysis
CRN: 43768
Min CR: 3
Schedule Type: Lecture Online
Instructor: Jin Chen (P)

Prerequisites

Graduate level INFO 601 Minimum Grade of C

Description

This course is aimed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills required to begin analyzing next-generation sequencing data and carry out some of the most common types of analysis. The topics covered in-depth during this course are the analysis of RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq data, ATACseq data, and Single-cell data, with an optional Variant Calling session. The sessions will also include Introduction to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, common NGS data analysis issues, applications of sequencing technologies, introduction to bioinformatics file formats (e.g. FASTQ, bam, bed) and bioinformatics toolkits. At the end of this course, participants will have the expertise to perform these data analysis independently.