Genetics MS at University of Wisconsin Madison

Graduate training in genetics emphasizes study and research leading to a Ph.D. degree in genetics. A master's degree in medical genetics with specialized training in genetic counseling are also available. For more information on a master's degree in genetic counseling, see Genetic Counseling.

LABORATORY OF GENETICS

The Laboratory of Genetics is the oldest and one of the finest centers of genetics in the nation. It is highly regarded for itsresearchcontributionsinthe areas ofdisease genetics,cell biology, neurogenetics,developmental genetics,gene expression,genomics,evolutionary and population genetics,andcomputational biology. The laboratory consists of two departments: Genetics, in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; and Medical Genetics, in the School of Medicine and Public Health. Although administratively distinct, these two departments function as one at both the faculty and student levels.

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding in the principles of genetics and heredity in all organisms. They will develop particular expertise in at least one of the broad subject areas of the doctoral program.
2. Demonstrate a broad understanding of major current and past theories, research findings and methodologies and techniques in genetics, with particular expertise in their area of concentration, both orally and in writing.
3. Develop critical thinking skills. They will retrieve and examine scientific literature, evaluate evidence for and again hypotheses, identify knowledge gaps, strengths and weaknesses in existing literature, synthesize knowledge, develop conclusions, and formulate plans for moving the current state of knowledge forward.
4. Demonstrate research expertise in genetics by presenting to their supervisory committee a research report based on their own experimental work or based on critical review of original peer-reviewed literature on a topic of current interest in genetics.
5. Retrieve and interpret professional peer-reviewed literature and use this information to evaluate theoretical frameworks, testable hypotheses, and predictions.
6. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate research based on design, feasibility, and internal controls, and to explain how such research addresses important unsolved problems in genetic or biomedical research.
7. Communicate effectively to diverse audiences in writing, through oral presentations, and during formal and informal discussions.
8. Master methods of communicating and interacting effectively with professional colleagues.
9. Articulate their research and its significance both formally and informally to diverse audiences.
10. Give and receive feedback on communication skills both orally and in writing.
11. Be provided with opportunities to engage in public outreach and education.
12. Effectively teach the principles of genetics and the methods used in contemporary genetic research.
13. Receive in-class educational training by serving as teaching assistants for at least one semester of an undergraduate genetics course.
14. Be provided with opportunities to mentor other students (for example, undergraduate students) in a laboratory research setting.
15. Opportunities to perform outreach activities in which they educate school-age students or individuals from other fields on the principles of modern genetics.
16. Be provided with diverse training that will prepare them for a range of flexible and sustainable careers in, for example, academia, industry, government, science policy, administration, commerce, journalism, law, education and community outreach.
17. Develop broadly applicable skills in critical thinking and problem solving.
18. Be provided with opportunities for teamwork, written and oral communication skills and collaborations.
19. Receive training in professional ethics and the responsible conduct of science.
20. Be trained to use scientific rigor when designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting and reporting results.
21. Discuss and formulate opinions on the many situations that working scientists encounter involving professional ethics and conflicts of interest.
22. Receive training in laws, regulation, permits and licenses, occupational health, safety standards and best practices, will demonstrate understanding of such and adhere to compliance.