Required Courses

BGE 510: Graduate Genetics

This course investigates fundamental aspects of the transmission and expression of genetic information in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The course is organized in a way that allows the students to appreciate the breadth of genetics research, while also gaining an in-depth understanding of selected important topics. Students explore the use of both classical and molecular genetic approaches to understand biological processes in genetics model systems including yeast, flies, worms, mouse, and man.

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

MCB 503: Molecular Genetics

Introduces the classical work and current developments in lower and higher genetic systems. Covers gene structure and regulation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, mutational analysis and mapping, transposable elements, and biological DNA transfer mechanisms. Bacteriophage as well as lower and higher eukaryotic systems are used to illustrate aspects of molecular genetic structure and function. This course is offered as both MCB 503 and HBM 503. Prerequisite: matriculation in graduate program or permission of instructor

Fall, 3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

The student rotates through laboratories of three different genetics program faculty members during the first year. The selection of the laboratories is made by the student, in conjunction with individual faculty, and with the approval of the program director. By taking part in ongoing projects, the student will learn experimental procedures and techniques and become acquainted with research opportunities in the participating programs. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Fall and Spring, 1-8 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated 2 times for credit

​BGE 531: Graduate Student Seminar in Genetics

Students have the opportunity to present their research to other students and faculty on an annual basis. Students in the first or second year will present brief seminars as part of a one-day symposium with all of their classmates. Advanced students present research seminars as part of a weekly research seminar series that is attended by faculty and students. Although the first and second year students do not present in this weekly seminar series, they should attend these seminars as it provides an excellent mechanism for learning about current areas of research interest.

Fall and Spring, 0-1 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated for credit

BGE 691: Readings in Genetics

Journal Club on thematic topics in different areas of current genetics research. Permission of instructor is required to enroll.

Fall and Spring, 1 credit, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.); may be repeated for credit.

BGE 693: Research Proposal Preparation

A course, based upon literature in the broad field of Genetics, to instruct in scientific writing and the preparation of research proposals. The course will be organized in three parts. In the first section of the course, students will become familiar with the components of the research proposal and will read and evaluate proposals written by the training faculty. Lectures given by the course co-directors will cover the basics of scientific writing, research proposal preparation, and the problems and concerns commonly voiced by reviewers of research proposals. In the second section, students will develop two short proposals for the study of genetics which are unrelated to their graduate research. One of these short proposals will be selected for development into a full proposal. In the third section, students will develop and write the full proposal. The students' skills in proposal preparation will be enhanced by critiquing the short and full proposals presented by other students in the second and third sections of the course.

Spring, 1-3 credits, Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)

BGE 599: Graduate Research

Original investigation undertaken with the supervision of a member of the program.

Fall and Spring, 1-9 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated for credit.

BGE 699: Dissertation Research on Campus

Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy (G5). Major portion of research must take place on SBU campus, at Cold Spring Harbor, or at the Brookhaven National Lab.

Fall and Spring, 1-9 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated for credit.

BGE 800: Summer/Winter Research

Summer and Winter, 0-1 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated for credit.

BIO 600:  Practicum in Teaching

Fall and Spring, 0 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated.

GRD 500: Responsible Conduct of Research and Scholarship

This course is designed to introduce students to the major issues in the ethics of science and research. Using a combination of readings - written and web-based - videos, lectures, case discussion and other exercises, students will investigate the moral values intrinsic to science and the professional and social values with which scientists must comply. Each class will begin with an introductory lecture or video followed by discipline-based, small group discussions with the participation of faculty from the department or program from which the graduate students come.

0-1 credits, S/U grading; may be repeated.