Hayward Genetics Center

Human Genetics Program
One Year Masters Degree

The Human Genetics Program offers a 1-year Master of Biomedical Science Degree with a concentration in Human Genetics. We are part of the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program at Tulane University School of Medicine. Our program is a multidisciplinary, interdepartmental program combining clinical genetics, biochemical genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics and cytogenetics.

Our Master Degree program is designed to give graduates an in-depth understanding of the rapidly advancing field of human genetics. It is designed to prepare qualified individuals for careers in the health sciences and to provide a more in-depth educational experience to enhance the opportunity of an individual being admitted to a postgraduate professional school such as medical school. The length of the program is two semesters, starting in the fall followed by the spring semester. This degree is non-thesis: students undertake 30 hours of coursework and write an extensive paper on a subject in the field of Human Genetics.

AVERAGE scores for students accepted to our program are as follows:

GPA 3.3-3.4
GRE 1100-1200
MCAT 27

We also look for a strong background in science classes such as Organic Chemistry, Genetics, Molecular or Cellular Biology, Biochemistry, etc., and demonstration of proficiency in these classes. Excellent letters of recommendation are also important.

The cost of the program for the 2006-2007 school year is $10,000 per semester. Information on the possibility of financial aid loans can be found at the Tulane University Office of Financial Aid’s website at http://www.finaidhsc.tulane.edu/.

To apply to the program, you must submit ALL of the following items:

1) An online application form, which can be accessed after October 10, 2006 at http://www.biomedicalsciences.tulane.edu .

NOTE: Several Ph.D. and M.S. programs at Tulane use this application service. Be careful to indicate that you are applying for a MASTERS degree with HUMAN GENETICS. We recommend that you email us at hgcedprg@tulane.edu to notify us that you have submitted an online application to our program.

An application fee of $40.00 must be paid online at the time your application is submitted.

GRE or MCAT scores must be reported on the application. I f reporting MCAT scores, students must include their 16 digit VERIFICATION CODE from the AAMC website. GRE scores will be verified through the ETS. International students must also have official TOEFL scores sent, and all application materials must be in English.

2) An OFFICIAL transcript from each college or university attended.

3) Three letters of recommendation from professors, preferably from your science classes. A form is provided on the website above. In lieu of letters of recommendation that have been prepared specifically for this application, recommendations on file from undergraduate career development offices may be submitted.

For the last two items, have your registrar and professors send the transcripts and letters directly to the following address:

Attention: Masters Applications
Hayward Genetics Center
Box # SL-31
Tulane University Health Sciences Center
1430 Tulane Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70112

After October, 2006 applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the Fall 2007 semester. Once again, thank you for your interest in our program. Please do not hesitate to contact us at the email addresses below if you have additional questions:

For questions about the program itself: hgcedprg@tulane.edu

For administrative questions (online application, tuition, etc.): bms@tulane.edu

Brief Course Descriptions

Seminar in Human Genetics (HMGN 701, 1 credit hour): This class meets weekly for one hour. Human Genetics faculty, other Tulane faculty and guests from other institutions, as well as graduate students, and medical residents are invited to speak on topics of interest. Topics include basic, applied, and clinical research and reviews to canvass the latest developments in the field of genetics.

Human Genetics (HMGN 702, 3 credit hours): This class is an overview of basic disciplines and content areas within human genetics. The emphasis is clinical application of this knowledge within selected topic areas in biochemical, molecular, and population genetics as well as cytogenetics.

Clinical Aspects of Human Genetics (HMGN 703, 3 credit hours): This is a class taught by genetic counselors that reviews the clinical aspects of genetic disorders seen in clinic, and provides tools for assessing patients with these conditions. The class is meant to convey to the student the problems of diagnosing and managing genetic disease from the physician's and patient's standpoint. Students are also allowed to attend a limited number of genetics clinics as observers.

Cytogenetics (HMGN 704, 3 credit hours): This course provides the student an overview of the field of cytogenetics. Topics include laboratory diagnostic procedures, mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangement, loss, and duplication, classical and recently described chromosomal abnormalities leading to disease, and molecular cytogenetics including fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques (FISH) and other molecular techniques.

Biochemical Genetics (HMGN 705, 3 credit hours): This course is an overview of genetic metabolic diseases. It concentrates on inborn errors of metabolism and lysosomal storage diseases. The student is presented with the clinical phenotypes, current methods of treatment, diagnostic procedures, and the biochemical defects resulting in the specific clinical presentation of selected metabolic diseases.

Molecular Genetics (HMGN 706, 4 credit hours): This course will take a detailed look at molecular genetics in humans. It will cover the structure and organization of the human genome; DNA replication, DNA mutation and repair; current molecular techniques used in research; the details of gene expression including transcription, RNA processing, translation and how expression is regulated at the various levels; and the molecular basis of human disease.

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Population Genetics (HMGN 710, 3 credit hours): This class will acquaint the student with the various theories and methods used in population and mathematical genetics. Topics include Hardy-Weinberg theory, Baysian theory, forensics, paternity testing, linkage analysis, and sib-pair theory.

Research Methods (HMGN 795, 3 credit hours): This course will focus on familiarizing students with the current, published scientific literature. It will include introductory lectures by faculty on the research methods used in various fields of Genetics. Students will be required to read current literature articles and present the research findings to the class in the form of short seminars.