your adventure in

Genetics

View PDF

Genetics is the scientific study of heredity. Understanding the basis of heredity is fundamental to all aspects of the life sciences, from the most basic molecular study to applied studies of agricultural species. At Iowa State University the study of the life sciences is interdepartmental, involving faculty in the basic, agricultural, and veterinary sciences. Faculty in 20 different departments are involved in genetics research. This large group of faculty presents a broad range of possibilities for students to learn from faculty who are at the forefront of research in many areas of genetics.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY

Undergraduate study in genetics is jointly administered by three departments: the Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology; the Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology; and the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Undergraduate degrees are offered through both the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Science. Programs of study for genetics majors leading to a B.S. degree are available.

Training in genetics may lead to employment in teaching, research, or a variety of health-related professions. Although some students find employment directly after their baccalaureate training, many students continue their education in graduate or professional programs. Students with the B.S. degree may find employment in the biotechnology, health, or food industries. Recent graduates have also developed careers in conservation biology, technical writing, science journalism, technical sales, and business.

The required course work and associated electives provide students with the foundation in basic life sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and physics that is essential for professions involving modern biological/biomedical sciences. As part of these courses, students develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and research-related activities in the biological sciences.

Specific entrance requirements for medical and health-related professions are established by the professional schools. Students interested in fulfilling pre-professional requirements for such professions as dentistry, human medicine, genetic counseling, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine can major in genetics while fulfilling the pre-professional requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students earning the B.S. degree in Genetics are expected to have achieved the following skills and capabilities:

  • Comprehensive, detailed understanding of the chemical basis of heredity.
  • Comprehensive and detailed understanding of genetic methodology and how quantification of heritable traits in families and populations provides insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms.
  • Understanding of how genetic concepts affect broad societal issues including health and disease, food and natural resources, environmental sustainability, etc.
  • Understanding the role of genetic mechanisms in evolution.
  • The knowledge required to design, execute, and analyze the results of genetic experimentation in animal and plant model systems.
  • The ability to recognize the experimental rationale of genetic studies as they are described in peer-reviewed research articles and grant proposals to federal and other funding agencies.
  • The ability to evaluate conclusions that are based on genetic data.
  • Insight into the mathematical, statistical, and computational basis of genetic analyses that use genome-scale data sets in systems biology settings.
  • Understanding the role of genetic technologies in industries related to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, and other fields.
  • Communication skills required in the discipline including oral presentations of research data, published research articles, grant proposals, and poster presentations at conferences.
  • Teamwork and leadership skills including group analysis of data, working together in the research laboratory, joint compositions of written reports, substantive participation in research group meetings, etc.

CURRICULUM IN GENETICS - REQUIREMENTS

Total Degree Requirement: 120 cr.

A maximum of 65 cr. from a two-year institution can be applied that may include up to 16 technical cr.; up to 9 Pass-Not Pass cr. of free electives can be applied; a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required for graduation. Program-approved lists can be found on the Genetics website.

1. Genetics and Life Sciences

A grade of C– or better is required in all Genetics and Life Science courses.

A. Courses required of all Genetics majors

GEN 1100Genetics Orientation1
BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 2110LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory I1
BIOL 2120Principles of Biology II3
BIOL 2120LPrinciples of Biology Laboratory II1
GEN 3130Principles of Genetics3
GEN 3130LGenetics Laboratory1
BIOL 3140Principles of Molecular Cell Biology3
BIOL 3150Biological Evolution3
One of the following:3-4
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
The Genome Perspective in Biology
Bioinformatics of OMICS
GEN 4090Molecular Genetics3
GEN 4100Analytical Genetics3
One of the following:3
Evolutionary Genetics
Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics
Molecular Phylogenetics
GEN 4910Undergraduate Seminar, Professional Practice in Genetics Disciplines1
MICRO 3020Biology of Microorganisms3
Total Credits35-36

B. Course required of majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences only

A minimum of 3 cr. of coursework in the area of environmental science from program approved list3
Total Credits3

2. Advanced Sciences Electives: 6 cr. from program approved list

A grade of C- or better is required in each course. No more than 3 cr. of GEN 4900, 4900R, 4900H, 4920, 4960, 4990, or 4990H may be used to meet this requirement.

3. Mathematical Sciences

Complete at least one calculus course from MATH, minimum of 4 credits.4
Survey of Calculus
Calculus I
Complete at least one course from STAT, minimum of 3 credits.3-4
Principles of Statistics
Introduction to Statistics
Complete at least one additional course from MATH or STAT, minimum of 4 credits.4
Calculus II
Intermediate Statistical Concepts and Methods
Total Credits11-12

4. Supporting Sciences

CHEM 1770General Chemistry I4
CHEM 1770LLaboratory in General Chemistry I1
CHEM 1780General Chemistry II3
CHEM 1780LLaboratory in College Chemistry II1
CHEM 3310Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 3310LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry I1
CHEM 3320Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 3320LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry II1
PHYS 1310General Physics I4
PHYS 1310LGeneral Physics I Laboratory1
PHYS 1320General Physics II4
PHYS 1320LGeneral Physics II Laboratory1
Choose one of the following options6-7
Option 1
Biochemistry I
And one of the following:
Biochemistry II
Techniques in Biochemical Research
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis
and Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Chemical Thermodynamics
Option 2
Mammalian Biochemistry
And one of the following:
Techniques in Biochemical Research
Quantitative and Environmental Analysis
and Quantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory
Chemical Thermodynamics
Total Credits33-34

5. International Perspectives: 3 cr. from university approved list

This course can satisfy both the university requirement for International Perspectives and the college requirement for a General Education elective (item 8) if the selection appears on both lists of approved courses.

6. U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity): 3 cr. from university approved list

This course can satisfy both the university requirement for U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) and the college requirement for a General Education elective (item 8) if the selection appears on both lists of approved courses.

7. Communications/Information Literacy

A. Courses required of all Genetics majors

Grades of C or better are required in ENGL 2500 and advanced writing. (The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences requires a C or better in ENGL 1500, as well.)

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 2500H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
One advanced English writing course from program approved list3
Total Credits10

B. Course required of majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences only.

A grade of C or better is required by the college.

SPCM 2120Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
or AGEDS 3110 Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
Total Credits3

8. General Education electives

Courses from college approved lists that also appear on university approved lists of U.S. Cultures and Communities or International Perspectives courses can be used to satisfy both requirements.

A. College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Humanities course from college approved list3
Social Science course from college approved list3
Ethics course from college approved list3
Total Credits9

B. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Humanities courses from college approved list; one of these should be a Science/Humanities bridge course from program approved list12
Social Science courses from college approved list9
Students must have completed 3 years of a single world language in high school or take 4-8 credits of World Languages at the university level.
Total Credits21

Genetics, B.S.

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN 11001ENGL 2500 or Social Sciences Choice3 
BIOL 21103BIOL 21203 
BIOL 2110L1BIOL 2120L1 
CHEM 17704CHEM 17803 
CHEM 1770L1CHEM 1780L1 
ENGL 1500 or 25003MATH/STAT choice or Humanities Choice3-4 
LIB 16001Consider Research (HON 2900 or GEN 4990)0-2 
MATH/STAT choice or Humanities Choice3-4  
 17-18 14-17
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
BIOL 31303BIOL 31403Consider Internship, Study Abroad 
BIOL 3130L1CHEM 33203 
CHEM 33103CHEM 3320L1 
CHEM 3310L1MICRO 30203 
SPCM 21203MATH/STAT Choice or Social Sciences*3-4 
MATH/STAT Choice or Social Sciences*3-4Ethics Choice3 
 14-15 16-17 0
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
GEN 40903BIOL 31503Consider Research with Faculty 
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)/Social Sciences Choice3or Bioinformatics Choice  
BIOL 31503BBMB 40503 
BBMB 40403GEN 41003 
PHYS 1310 or 23104GEN 4910 (or Fall of Senior Year)1 
PHYS 1310L or 2310L1PHYS 13204 
 PHYS 1320L1 
 17 15 0
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
GEN 46203Advanced Science Electives3-6 
STAT 3010 (or Advanced Science Elective)4International Perspectives/Humanities3 
ENGL 3120 (or other ENGL 3020-3160)3True Electives3-6 
Environmental Awareness Choice3-4  
 13-14 9-15

Undergraduate Minor

The minor in Genetics may be earned by completing the following courses. At least 9 cr. must be used only to fulfill the requirements of the minor and not be applied to any other major, college, or university requirement.

GEN 3130Principles of Genetics3
GEN 3130LGenetics Laboratory1
BIOL 3140Principles of Molecular Cell Biology3
GEN 4100Analytical Genetics3
GEN 4090Molecular Genetics3
Two or more additional credits in Genetics at the 3000 level or above.2
Total Credits15