Genomic Research Training Program (GRTP) Certificate
The GRTP is a 12-credit hour certificate program designed to empower investigators to effectively use large genomic data sets individually or collaboratively. The program targets research-oriented MD/DO or PhD junior faculty, and senior postdoctoral fellows, who are not in a degree program but are seeking initial training on the methods and skills to conduct genomic research. The program can be completed in 2 years, with the second year primarily devoted to a mentored research project. The mentored research project (BIOE 810) will be 6 credit hours.
The curriculum consists of mostly 2-3 credit hour courses from which individual courses will be selected:
- BIOE 811/821-Biostatistics for the Health Sciences I&II: descriptive statistics, probability and probability distributions, estimation, and one and two sample hypothesis testing; analysis of variance, regression analysis, and analysis of categorical data.
- BIOE 805/806-Using R for Biostatistics I&II: Introduction to R, a versatile open-source language and programming environment. Part II focuses on the powerful model formula syntax for specifying statistical models, implementing generalized linear models, and data wrangling.
- BIOE 824-Genetic Epidemiology: Methods and Applications: molecular genetics, genome organization, and principles of inheritance and quantitative genetics, discussions on human genome diversity, linkage mapping, genome-wide association studies, QTLs, and the technological advances.
- MSCI 814-Bioinformatics I: practical training in bioinformatics methods--accessing public sequence databases, using the five BLAST tools to find sequences, analyzing protein and nucleic acid sequences, detecting domains in proteins, assembling protein sequences from genomic DNA, detecting exons and finding intron- exon boundaries, aligning sequences (Clustal W), making phylogenetic trees (Phylip), learning basic proteomics methods and comparative genomics methods.
- GGI 901-Integrative Genetics: basic knowledge of classical, quantitative and modern molecular genetics.
- GGI 902-Advanced Pharmacogenomics: basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, genetics of drug metabolizing enzymes, drug receptors, cancer treatment, individual differences in targeted and nontargeted drug responses, cardiovascular, central nervous system and infectious disease pharmacology.
- GGI 903-Medical Genetics: birth defects/embryology, prenatal diagnosis, inborn errors of metabolism, common diseases, monogenic and multifactorial genetics, genetic screening, immunogenetics, cancer genetics, pharmacogenetics, hemoglobinopathies, ciliopathies, genetic counseling and ethical, legal and social issues.
- PATH 924-Introduction to Web-Based Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Tools: basic practices of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. Integrated lectures and hand-on-sessions focus on application of analysis tools and public databases to analyze and interpret the biological meaning of data generated by high-throughput technologies.
- BIOE 810-Independent Study: Mentored research applying the skills acquired during training to genome-scale data sets.
The minimum cumulative GPA needed for successful completion of the GTRP Certificate program may be no lower than a GPA of 3.0.
Requirements:Health professional degree or doctoral degree, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 from an accredited college or university and official transcripts. Transcripts from non-US institutions may require verification by a NACES member service. In addition, applicants must have sufficient computer literacy, English-language literacy, and technical skills to participate in web-based, graduate level courses. A command of written and spoken English is essential. If there is cause to doubt the student’s proficiency in English, the program may, at its discretion, require additional examinations and/or other evidence of proficiency prior to registration.
Deadline: May 15
Program Director: Chester Brown, MD, PhD | 901.287.6473 | cbrow171@uthsc.edu