WVU :: Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry & Consumer Sciences

Genetics and Developmental Biology

Joginder Nath, Chairperson of the Interdisciplinary Faculty
1120 Agricultural Sciences Building
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy

The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered in genetics and developmental biology, an interdisciplinary program involving the faculty and facilities of a number of departments in the various colleges and schools of the University. A student may concentrate in genetics or developmental biology. The areas in which emphases are offered are as follows:

Genetics-Biochemical and molecular genetics, cytogenetics, developmental genetics, immunogenetics, mutagenesis, toxicology, human genetics, plant genetics, population and quantitative genetics and animal breeding;
Developmental Biology-Molecular aspects of development, experimental morphogenesis, teratology, regeneration, oncology, descriptive embryology, and life cycles of animals and plants.

The student may also minor in one or more other scientific fields. Students are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 (B) average in all work offered in fulfillment of the degree program. For a more complete statement, the student is referred to the program's Guidelines for Graduate Students in the Genetics and Developmental Biology Program. The chairperson for the Genetics and Developmental Biology program is housed in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences.

The objective of this program is an increased level of understanding of modern concepts and methodologies employed in genetic and developmental biological work and to prepare a student to pursue a career in teaching and/ or research. Responsibility for a student's program is vested in a graduate committee charged with arranging the student's course work, conducting examinations, and supervising the research.

To be considered for admission in the program the student must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, must have a grade-point average of at least a 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), or an average of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credit hours or an average of 3.0 or higher in all courses in sciences and mathematics.

The student must submit the scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the New Medical College Admission Test (New MCAT). The student must provide three letters of reference from persons acquainted with the applicants' professional work, experiences, or academic work and submit a written statement of 500 words or more indicating the applicants' goals and objectives relative to receiving a graduate degree.

Basic training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology is required for admission. Students lacking prerequisites may be accepted in a provisional status but must fulfill them before graduation. Applications for graduate study should be sent in as early in the year as possible, but not later than April 1 for entry the following August. However, applications are accepted year-round for admission to the program in the following semester. Official transcripts of baccalaureate and/or master's degrees must be sent directly to the WVU Office of Admissions and Records. Application forms can be received from the WVU Office of Admissions and Records, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009. For further information, write to the Chair.

Genetics (GEN)
290. Crop Breeding. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321. Methods and basic scientific principles involved in improvement of leading crops through hybridization, selection, and other techniques. (Offered in spring of even years.)

321. Basic Concepts of Modern Genetics. 1. 3 hr. PR: 8 hr. biological sciences and 1 yr. chemistry. Independent inheritance, linkage. Chemical nature of genetic material. Control of phenotype by genetic material. Gene action and coding of genetic material.

325. Human Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 or consent. Study of genetic system responsible for development of phenotype in man. (Offered in spring of odd years.)

335. Population Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 or consent. Relationship of gene and genotype frequencies in populations of diploid organisms, and the effects of mutation, migration, selection, assertive mating, and inbreeding in relation to single gene pairs. Application of these concepts to multigenic inheritance of quantitative traits. (Offered in fall of odd years.)

370. Medical Genetics. 11.2-4 hr. PR: Second-year medical student standing; graduate student in Genetics and Developmental Biology; others by consent. Introduction to clinical genetics including molecular, biochemical, and cytogenetic aspects of human biology. Application of genetic principles to human health and disease. (Also listed as CCMD 370, MED 370, PEDI 370.)

391. Advanced Topics. 1, II, S. Variable 1-6 hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

424. Cytogenetics. II. 4 hr. PR: GEN 1 71 or 321, and BIOL 215 or consent. Emphasis on macromolecules that carry information of the chromosomes, cell division, and the cytological and molecular basis of genetics. Special attention given to visible manifestation of genes, human cytogenetics, of genomes and chromosome morphology, and their evolution. (Offered in spring of odd years.)

426. Advanced Biochemical Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 and organic chemistry. Physiological and biophysical concepts of genetic material. Structure and arrangement of genetic units. Nucleic acids as carriers of genetic information. Gene action and amino acid coding. Biochemical evolution of genetic material. Genetic control mechanismsistry of mutation. (Offered in fall of even years.)

427. Genetic Mechanisms of Evolution. I. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or equiv. Molecular genetic mechanisms which result in evolutionary change. Origin of life, origin and organization of genetic variability, differentiation of populations, isolation and speciation, role of hybridization and polploidy, and origin of man. (Offered in fall of odd years.)

450. Seminar. I, II. 1 hr. per sem. Recent literature pertaining to biochemical, classical, human, molecular, and cytological genetics.

497. Research. I, ll, S. 1-15 hr.

Developmental Biology
The following courses in the Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biology may be applied toward the requirements for a major in developmental biology: Anatomy 402 Advanced Developmental Anatomy, Anatomy 405 Experimental Embryology, Biochemistry 491 Advanced Study in Nucleic Acids, Biology 214 Molecular Basis of Cellular Growth, Biology 309 Molecular Biology of the Gene, Biology 362 Developmental Biology, and Biology 364 Advanced Plant Physiology.

Davis College Site Map	Home > Genetics and Developmental Biology	Printable Version
	Genetics and Developmental Biology Joginder Nath, Chairperson of the Interdisciplinary Faculty 1120 Agricultural Sciences Building Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy The M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered in genetics and developmental biology, an interdisciplinary program involving the faculty and facilities of a number of departments in the various colleges and schools of the University. A student may concentrate in genetics or developmental biology. The areas in which emphases are offered are as follows: *Genetics-Biochemical and molecular genetics, cytogenetics, developmental genetics, immunogenetics, mutagenesis, toxicology, human genetics, plant genetics, population and quantitative genetics and animal breeding; Developmental Biology-Molecular aspects of development, experimental morphogenesis, teratology, regeneration, oncology, descriptive embryology, and life cycles of animals and plants. The student may also minor in one or more other scientific fields. Students are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 (B) average in all work offered in fulfillment of the degree program. For a more complete statement, the student is referred to the program's Guidelines for Graduate Students in the Genetics and Developmental Biology Program. The chairperson for the Genetics and Developmental Biology program is housed in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences. The objective of this program is an increased level of understanding of modern concepts and methodologies employed in genetic and developmental biological work and to prepare a student to pursue a career in teaching and/ or research. Responsibility for a student's program is vested in a graduate committee charged with arranging the student's course work, conducting examinations, and supervising the research. To be considered for admission in the program the student must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, must have a grade-point average of at least a 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale), or an average of 3.0 or higher for the last 60 credit hours or an average of 3.0 or higher in all courses in sciences and mathematics. The student must submit the scores of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or the New Medical College Admission Test (New MCAT). The student must provide three letters of reference from persons acquainted with the applicants' professional work, experiences, or academic work and submit a written statement of 500 words or more indicating the applicants' goals and objectives relative to receiving a graduate degree. Basic training in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology is required for admission. Students lacking prerequisites may be accepted in a provisional status but must fulfill them before graduation. Applications for graduate study should be sent in as early in the year as possible, but not later than April 1 for entry the following August. However, applications are accepted year-round for admission to the program in the following semester. Official transcripts of baccalaureate and/or master's degrees must be sent directly to the WVU Office of Admissions and Records. Application forms can be received from the WVU Office of Admissions and Records, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009. For further information, write to the Chair. Genetics (GEN)* 290. Crop Breeding. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321. Methods and basic scientific principles involved in improvement of leading crops through hybridization, selection, and other techniques. (Offered in spring of even years.) 321. Basic Concepts of Modern Genetics. 1. 3 hr. PR: 8 hr. biological sciences and 1 yr. chemistry. Independent inheritance, linkage. Chemical nature of genetic material. Control of phenotype by genetic material. Gene action and coding of genetic material. 325. Human Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 or consent. Study of genetic system responsible for development of phenotype in man. (Offered in spring of odd years.) 335. Population Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 or consent. Relationship of gene and genotype frequencies in populations of diploid organisms, and the effects of mutation, migration, selection, assertive mating, and inbreeding in relation to single gene pairs. Application of these concepts to multigenic inheritance of quantitative traits. (Offered in fall of odd years.) 370. Medical Genetics. 11.2-4 hr. PR: Second-year medical student standing; graduate student in Genetics and Developmental Biology; others by consent. Introduction to clinical genetics including molecular, biochemical, and cytogenetic aspects of human biology. Application of genetic principles to human health and disease. (Also listed as CCMD 370, MED 370, PEDI 370.) 391. Advanced Topics. 1, II, S. Variable 1-6 hr. PR: Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses. 424. Cytogenetics. II. 4 hr. PR: GEN 1 71 or 321, and BIOL 215 or consent. Emphasis on macromolecules that carry information of the chromosomes, cell division, and the cytological and molecular basis of genetics. Special attention given to visible manifestation of genes, human cytogenetics, of genomes and chromosome morphology, and their evolution. (Offered in spring of odd years.) 426. Advanced Biochemical Genetics. II. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or 321 and organic chemistry. Physiological and biophysical concepts of genetic material. Structure and arrangement of genetic units. Nucleic acids as carriers of genetic information. Gene action and amino acid coding. Biochemical evolution of genetic material. Genetic control mechanismsistry of mutation. (Offered in fall of even years.) 427. Genetic Mechanisms of Evolution. I. 3 hr. PR: GEN 171 or equiv. Molecular genetic mechanisms which result in evolutionary change. Origin of life, origin and organization of genetic variability, differentiation of populations, isolation and speciation, role of hybridization and polploidy, and origin of man. (Offered in fall of odd years.) 450. Seminar. I, II. 1 hr. per sem. Recent literature pertaining to biochemical, classical, human, molecular, and cytological genetics. 497. Research. I, ll, S. 1-15 hr. Developmental Biology The following courses in the Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Biology may be applied toward the requirements for a major in developmental biology: Anatomy 402 Advanced Developmental Anatomy, Anatomy 405 Experimental Embryology, Biochemistry 491 Advanced Study in Nucleic Acids, Biology 214 Molecular Basis of Cellular Growth, Biology 309 Molecular Biology of the Gene, Biology 362 Developmental Biology, and Biology 364 Advanced Plant Physiology.