2013-2014 Graduate Catalog Downloadable PDF (10.71MB)

Interdisciplinary Program in Geneticsgenetics.tamu.eduCourse Descriptions/Genetics 441Genetics, the science of heredity and variation, occupies a central position in biology. Many of therecent significant research developments in the life sciences have occurred in this dynamic discipline.Multiple opportunities exist for the further development of genetic theory and for the application ofgenetic principles to improve animal and plant species.The graduate program in genetics is supervised by the faculty of genetics, which is composed of facultyfrom several departments and colleges whose training, teaching and research is in genetics. Supportingcoursework is available in such fields as biochemistry, computer science, cytology, molecular biology, pathology,physiology and statistics.Research areas that may be pursued include biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, developmental genetics,immunogenetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, quantitative genetics, somatic cellgenetics, forest genetics, animal breeding and plant breeding. Commonly used experimental organismsinclude bacteria, viruses and fungi, and many species of higher plants and animals.Admission to the genetics graduate program requires approval by both the faculty of genetics anda participating academic department. Graduate assistantships and fellowships are available from thefaculty of genetics and from individual departments.The language requirement for students in the genetics program is determined by their administrativedepartment.Genetics(GENE)603. Genetics. (4-0). Credit 4. Development of fundamental concepts related to the structure, function,organization, transmission and distribution of genetic material. Prerequisite: GENE 301.606. Quantitative Phylogenetics. (2-3). Credit 3. Designed to provide the theory and tools required forinference of phylogenetic (evolutionary) relationships among biological taxa using various types ofcomparative data including morphological characters, biochemical and molecular characters, and DNAsequences; hands-on analysis of data using contemporary tools. Prerequisite: ENTO 601 or approval ofinstructor. Cross-listed with ENTO 606 and WFSC 646.608. Critical Analysis of Genetic Literature. (1-0). Credit 1. An introduction to primary literature in thefield of genetics which will give students experience in critically evaluating scientific papers and developan appreciation of how genetics can be used to address important biological questions.612. Population Genetics. (3-0). Credit 3. Biological approach to genetic characteristics of populationsdealing with genetic equilibrium, allelic variation, determination of genetic variation in populations,effects of mating systems, selection, mutation and drift on population parameters. Prerequisites:GENE 603; STAT 651.613. Quantitative Genetics I. (3-0). Credit 3. Quantitative genetics concepts particularly dealing withpartitioning of phenotypic variance into genetic and environmental components, selection response,effects of systems of mating, genetic covariance and threshold effects. Prerequisites: GENE 612;STAT 652.614. Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Genetics. (3-0). Credit 3. Theoretical and analytical approachesto the application of maximum likelihood for the estimation of parameters under linear andnonlinear models; single and polygene genetic models including Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, linkageanalysis and quantitative trait loci detection. Prerequisites: GENE 603; STAT 651; STAT 652 orSTAT 601. Cross-listed with ANSC 614.620. Cytogenetics. (3-0). Credit 3. Examination and analysis of variation in chromosome structure, behaviorand number; developmental and evolutionary effects of this variation. Prerequisite: GENE 603.626. Analyses of Gene Expression. (1-3). Credit 2. Proficiency in handling DNA and RNA gained duringexercises used routinely in analyses of gene expression; RNA preparation and analysis on Northernblots; in vitro transcription and polyacrylamide gel analysis of nucleic acids; sub-cloning and mRNAquantitation using polymerase chain reaction. Prerequisites: GENE 450 or approval of instructor; radiationsafety training. Cross-listed with ANSC 626.