Program Overview

Molecular Genetics & Genomics, PhD

The Molecular Genetics and Genomics is a graduate training program at Washington University in St. Louis, housed under the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS). Geneticists seek to understand how genes are inherited, modified, expressed, and regulated, as well as the genetic basis of human disease. The field of genetics and genomics has been astonishingly successful in deciphering the genetic code and providing us with a clear picture of the nature of the gene, but much remains to be learned about fundamental genetic mechanisms and how specific gene mutations lead to disease.

Program Overview

• The program leverages human genetics, model organism genetics, and genomic and computational approaches to address key outstanding questions in all areas of biomedical research with a focus on human disease.
• Integrating wet and dry bench approaches, students in the MGG program advance our understanding of the genetic, cellular, and molecular basis of how cells, tissues, and organs develop and function and how alterations in these processes lead to disease.
• MGG laboratories at Washington University in St. Louis have been at the forefront of human molecular genetics and the Human Genome Project.

Doctoral Candidacy

To earn a PhD at Washington University in St. Louis, a student must:

• Complete all courses required by their department
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Pass certain examinations
• Fulfill residence and Mentored Experience Requirements
• Write, defend, and submit a dissertation
• Apply to graduate via Workday Student

Program Requirements

• Total Units Required: 36 credits
• Degree Length: 7 years
  • Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with academic milestones.
  • Students entering their seventh year in the program will receive a warning letter regarding reaching their stated degree length.
  • Students entering their eighth year in the program will be required to obtain permission from the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.
• Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status.
• Continued support is guaranteed for the duration of the student's graduate studies, provided that the student maintains satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.
• Grade Requirement: Required courses generally consist of four to nine courses in areas fundamental to the student's program. Students are expected to maintain a B average in graduate courses.

Required Courses

• DBBS Required Courses:
  • BIOL 5098 Graduate Research Fundamentals
  • BIOL 5011 Ethics and Research Science
• Program Required Courses:
  • BIOL 5491 Advanced Genetics
  • BIOL 5488 Genomics
• Two Semesters of Journal Clubs: MGG students are required to take two semesters of BIOL 5235 Genetics Journal Club.
• Two Advanced Electives: In general, MGG students select two of the following courses:
  • BIOL 5480 Nucleic Acids and Protein Biosynthesis
  • BIOL 5075 Introduction to Coding and Statistical Thinking in Genetics and Genomics
  • BIOL 5068 Fundamentals of Molecular Cell Biology

Laboratory Rotations

• Selecting a thesis advisor is the most important decision a student makes in graduate school.
• To help each student make an informed, thoughtful choice, the Division builds in flexibility to explore options.
• Students usually participate in three lab rotations during their first year.
• Additional rotations can be arranged, and rotation lengths are flexible.
• Students usually begin their thesis research by the end of their first year.

Scientific Scholarship

• Keeping abreast of scientific developments is critical for faculty and students alike.
• The Division offers many ways to stay current, including:
  • More than 15 weekly biology seminars
  • Several annual symposia
  • Journal clubs
  • Interdisciplinary Research Pathways
  • Program retreats
  • Funds for professional development

Qualifying Examinations

• Progress toward the PhD is contingent upon the student passing examinations that are variously called preliminary, qualifying, general, comprehensive, or major field exams.
• The qualifying process varies according to the program.
• Program-specific information: In Year 2, students must pass a Qualifying Exam (QE). Following a successful QE defense, students will identify and finalize their committee and complete their thesis proposal by December 31 of Year 3.

Mentored Experience Requirements

• Doctoral students at Washington University in St. Louis must complete a department-defined Mentored Experience.
• The Mentored Experience Requirement is a doctoral degree requirement that is notated on the student’s transcript when complete.
• Each department has an established Mentored Experience Implementation Plan in which the number of units that a student must earn through Mentored Teaching Experience(s) and/or Mentored Professional Experience(s) is defined.

The Doctoral Dissertation

• A Research Advisory Committee (RAC) must be created no later than the end of the student's third year.
• As evidence of the mastery of a specific field of knowledge and of the capacity for original scholarly work, each candidate must complete a dissertation that is approved by their RAC.
• A Title, Scope & Procedure Form for the dissertation must be signed by the committee members and by the program chair.

The Dissertation Defense

• Approval of the written dissertation by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is strongly recommended before the student can orally defend the dissertation.
• The Doctoral Dissertation Committee that examines the student during the defense consists of at least five members.
• Normally, the members of the RAC also serve on the Doctoral Dissertation Committee.

Submission of the Dissertation

• After the defense, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation online to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences.
• The submission website requires students to choose among publishing and copyrighting services offered by ProQuest’s ETD Administrator.

Mentored Experience Requirements (MERs)

• Philosophy of Teaching: Effective communication of information and concepts is a critical skill for biomedical research scientists.
• Preparatory Engagement: Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication.
• Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs): An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member.

Required Pathways for Completion

• Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs.
• Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.

Optional Activity: Professional Intensive Pathway (PIP)

• The PIP is an optional pathway for those students whose career interests lie outside of academia or who want to benefit from mentored professional experiences (MPEs).
• An MPE is an unpaid professional experience for PhD students that allows students to develop skills and experiences relevant to their intended career outcomes.