You will take a total of 120 credit hours to complete the Genetics and Genomic Sciences Program. These include courses in the UAB Core Curriculum and general electives. Learn more about the core curricumlum and other basic requirements in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.
Research
Qualified non-Honors students will be encouraged, but not required, to participate in research as part of their GGS B.S. degree. To participate in research non-Honors students must:
- receive permission from the program directors before joining a research lab;
- have completed at least 45 credit hours;
- have already completed BY 123 and 123L, BY 124 and 124L, BY 210, CH 115/116, and CH 117/118; and
- identify a faculty sponsor who is willing to serve as your research mentor
Non-Honors students register for the GGSC 380 Undergraduate Research in Genetics and Genomic Sciences and GGSC 492 Undergraduate Research Seminar in Genetics and Genomic Sciences courses.
Suggested Course Schedule
-
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
- Success in College (CAS 112; 1 credit)
- Introductory Biology I and Laboratory (BY 123 and 123L; 4 credit hours)
- General Chemistry I and Laboratory (CH 115/116; 4 credit hours)
- English Composition I (EH 101; 3 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 15
Spring Semester
- Introductory Biology II and Laboratory (BY 124 and 124L; 4 credit hours)
- General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CH 117/118; 4 credit hours)
- English Composition II (EH 102; 3 credit hours)
- Bioethics (PHL 116; 3 credit hours, Core II)
Total Credit Hours: 14
-
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- Genetics (BY 210; 3 credit hours)
- Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics* (GGSC 320; 1 credit hour)
- Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (CH 235/236; 4 credit hours)
- Calculus I (MA 125; 4 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 15
*GGS majors must take the Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics course at least 4 times.Spring Semester
- Genome Structure and Organization (GGSC 310; 3 credit hours)
- Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics* (GGSC 320; 1 credit hour)
- Cell Biology (BY 330; 3 credit hours)
- Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CH 237/238; 4 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 14
*GGS majors must take the Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics course at least 4 times. -
Junior Year
Fall Semester
- Genetic Basis of Human Disease (GGSC 410; 3 credit hours)
- Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics* (GGSC 320; 1 credit hour)
- GGS Honors or Non-Honors Research** (GGSC 380/390) or General Elective Course (3 credit hours)
- Introduction to Statistics (MA 180; 3 credit hours) or Biostatistics (PUH 205; 3 credit hours)
- General Elective Course (3 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 16
*GGS majors must take the Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics course at least 4 times.
**Honors Program students must take at least six hours of GGSC 390.Spring Semester
- Applications of Bioinformatics (GGSC 420; 3 credit hours)
- Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics* (GGSC 320; 1 credit hour)
- GGS Honors or Non-Honors Research** (GGSC 380/390) or General Elective Course (3 credit hours)
- Fundamentals of Biochemistry (CH 460; 3 credit hours)
- General Elective Course (3 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 16
*GGS majors must take the Colloquium in Genetics and Genomics course at least 4 times.
**Honors Program students must take at least six hours of GGSC 390. -
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- Elective GGS/Biology 400 Level Class (3 credit hours)
- GGSC 492 or 493 (or General Elective Course)
- College Physics I and Laboratory (PH 201/221; 4 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 16
Spring Semester
- Elective GGS/Biology 400 Level Class (3 credit hours)
- College Physics II & Laboratory (PH 202/222; 4 credit hours)
- Core II or IV (3 credit hours)
- General Elective Courses (5 credit hours, 2 credit hours if taking Honors or Non-Honors Senior Seminar class)
- General Elective Course (4 credit hours)
Total Credit Hours: 14
Courses
A complete list of program requirements, courses, and a proposed four-year program of study for our students are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.
Capstone Courses
One of the following courses must be taken to fulfill the Capstone Requirement:
- Model Systems for Genetic Disorders (GGSC 403; 3 credit hours)
- Personalized Genomic Medicine (GGSC 404; 3 credit hours)
- GGS Honors or Non-Honors Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
Honors
Interested in advanced research option and an enhanced program of study? Check out our Honors Program for qualified students.