The curriculum for the PhD program includes 1) formal coursework, 2) original research
conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor and leading to a doctoral dissertation,
and 3) comprehensive examinations and a final oral examination as specified by the
policies of The Graduate School.
All Biomedical Sciences doctoral students at Augusta University are admitted via a
common admissions process and are required to take basic courses in Molecular Cell
Biology and Biochemistry and Genetics in the first semester and Integrated Systems
Biology in the second semester. Faculty research at AU as part of the formal “Introduction
to Faculty Course” is offered early in the first semester. Students will also take
the Responsible Conduct of Research and Scientific Communication courses during the
first semester of their first year.
During the second semester of the first year, in addition to the Integrated Systems
Biology course, students select among a variety of core courses in the various PhD
programs to begin their specialized training. Students considering the Graduate Program
in Genomic Medicine will elect Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (SGS8092). This course
will provide a theoretical framework for understanding the fundamental concepts of
mammalian genetics, functional genomics and bioinformatics as well as advanced technical
and biological tools used in today's biomedical research environment. During the second
semester of their first year students will do two research rotations which will further
serve to help them choose a mentor for their dissertation research. Students will
choose a faculty mentor and graduate program by the end of their second semester.
All students will take Biomedical Statistics during the summer of the first year.
Students in the Graduate Program in Genomic Medicine will take Translational Genomics
and Proteomics and Functional Genomics and Proteomics using Animal Models during the
first semester of their second year. In the second semester, students will take Computational
Methods in Genomics and Genetics. These courses will satisfy the required coursework.
With this exposure graduate students will have a much better understanding of the
questions that may be addressed by modern genomic medicine research.
The Graduate Program in Genomic Medicine at Augusta University will accommodate MD/PhD
candidates who will enter the program after their first two years of medical school.
Year 1 Fall Semester
SGS8021 Biochemistry & Gene Regulation (5 credit hours)
One semester course includes metabolism; enzyme structure, kinetics and mechanisms;
RNA, DNA, and protein biogenesis; DNA repair and recombination; cell cycle control,
cancer genetics. Classroom time includes lectures, discussions, and demonstrations
using traditional and alternative teaching methods.
SGS8022 Molecular Cell Biology (5 credit hours)
This course focuses on the study of the cell as the fundamental structural and functional
unit of which all living organisms are constructed. Cell biology serves as a bridge
between molecular biology, basic biochemistry, physiology, and morphology at the gross
anatomical level and is increasingly a principle area of focus for biomedical research.
In this course, the properties of cells are analyzed initially by viewing the structural
organization, functional interactions, and biogenesis of cellular components with
particular emphasis on understanding of processes involved in regulating the specific
composition and interactions of cellular organelles. This forms a basis for the subsequent
consideration of cell-cell interactions at the cellular and the tissue level. One
semester course includes classroom time lectures, discussion, and demonstrations using
traditional and alternative teaching methods.
SGS8040 Introduction to Faculty Research (2 credit hours)
An introduction to all of the research topics currently being conducted by Biomedical
Sciences graduate faculty. This course helps students choose a laboratory for their
research rotations.
SGS8050 Introduction to Research I (2 credit hours)
Three mini rotations in research laboratories. Students should become familiar with
the various activities of the laboratories.
SGS8011 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 credit hour)
This course will provide an overview, via lecture and discussion, of critical issues
related to the responsible conduct of research. In addition, it will fulfill the requirements
established by the Office of Research Integrity and the Public Health Service for
ensuring that PHS-supported researchers are provided adequate instruction in conducting
responsible research and ensuring integrity of the research record.
SGS8012 Scientific Communication (1 credit hour)
This course focuses on writing and presentation skills needed for a career in biomedical
sciences. It provides basic instruction in writing abstracts, curriculum vitae, and
grant applications as well as how to organize and give oral scientific presentations.
Also covered are basic aspects related to teaching skills needed in the biomedical
classroom and laboratory.
Year 1 Spring Semester
SGS8033 Integrated Systems Biology (6 credit hours)
This course includes basic anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of all the organ
systems. Special topics also covered include integrated biosystems and feedback, physiological
genomics, modern drug discovery, and hot research topics. Classroom time includes
lectures, discussion, and demonstrations using traditional and alternative teaching
methods.
SGS8092 Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (4 credit hours)
This course will provide a theoretical framework for understanding the fundamental
concepts of mammalian genetics, functional genomics and bioinformatics as well as
advanced technical and biological tools used in today's biomedical research environment.
The course will provide lectures on a wide range of classical and modern topics such
as classical genetics, linkage analysis, genetic mapping, positional cloning, genomics,
proteomics and bioinformatics. The focus of the course will be to understand the experimental
identification of genes responsible for disease and modern applications of genomics
and proteomics to understanding biological processes as well as their impact on modern
medicine.
SGS8060 Introduction to Research II (4 credit hours)
Individualized instruction in two research laboratories. For each laboratory, students
should master at least one laboratory technique and become familiar with the various
activities of the laboratory. Students will spend half of the semester in each laboratory.
Year 1 Summer Semester
STA7070 Biomedical Statistics (3 credit hours)
This course offers an introduction to the majority of statistical techniques used
to analyze and interpret data in the biomedical sciences and related fields. Emphasis
is on applications of these methods, with the following topics covered: graphical
methods, probability, discrete and continuous distributions, inferential statistics
(estimation and hypothesis testing for the one and two-sample case) for numeric and
categorical data, non-parametric methods, one-way ANOVA, simple linear regression,
correlation, factorial ANOVA (fixed and random effects), multiple linear regression
and correlation, ANCOVA, logistic regression, longitudinal data analysis, and survival
analysis.
Year 2 Fall Semester
GNMD8052 Functional Genomics and Proteomics using Animal Models (3 credit hours)
The purpose of this course is to show how animal models of human diseases can be analyzed
using genomic and proteomic technologies. The course will overview high throughput
methods of generating disease models in mouse and describe ongoing efforts in this
field. The focus of the course will be on mouse models of diseases affecting immune,
cardiovascular and nervous system. Attempts to identify molecular mechanisms of the
disease will be presented with particular emphasis on drug target discovery.
GNMD8050 Computational Methods in Genomics and Genetics (4 credit hours)
This course covers computational methods applied to genomics and genetics. The course
will cover Bayesian statistics, nonparametric inference, phylogenetic trees, sequence
analysis, microarray analysis, networks, multivariate methods, linkage analysis, and
association genetics. The focus of the course will be to understand the basic concepts
underlying the various analyses used in modern genomic and genetic research, and to
understand how to use software that is available for basic analyses. A large component
of the course will be to provide students with hands-on experience with analysis of
datasets.
GNMD8060 Genomic Medicine Seminar (1 credit hour)
This course will give students exposure to research in Genomic Medicine and Biotechnology
from local and visiting scientists. Students will attend seminars and have an opportunity
to talk with the seminar speaker during lunch.
Year 2 Spring Semester
GNMD8051 Translational Genomics and Proteomics (3 credit hours)
The purpose of this course is to ‘translate’ basic scientific discoveries directly
into useful clinical tools and information for physicians, genetic counselors, clinical
researchers and ultimately, patients. The course will cover high throughput SNP discovery
and genotyping, biomarker discovery for disease prediction and prognosis, tissue microarray,
RNA1 microarray and drug discovery (pharmacogenomics).
Research Proposal
Students will prepare a written research proposal in a pre-doctoral NRSA (National
Research Service Award) fellowship application format for their dissertation in consultation
with their mentor as required by the College of Graduate Studies prior to taking the
Second Examination. A thesis advisory committee of 5 faculty members will approve
the research proposal. The Genomic Medicine Graduate Program Director and the Dean
of the School of Graduate Studies will also approve the research proposal. The student
is expected to do original research for their dissertation and publish their work
in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
GNMD9300 Research and/or GNMD9210 Investigation of a Problem
Students will perform laboratory research leading to their dissertation under the
direction of their faculty mentor(s) and thesis advisory committee. The thesis advisory
committee will monitor the progress of each student in yearly meetings.
The format for the comprehensive exam is a combination of both a written research
proposal and one 2 hour oral exam. Both the research proposal and oral exam content
will be discussed between the student’s advisory committee and the student.
Research Proposal:
The purpose of the research proposal is to have the student synthesize scientific
concepts and develop a strategy to investigate a specific scientific problem. The
research proposal will be the student’s independent work product and will be written
completely by the student. As part of the exam, the student will also present the
research proposal to his/her advisory committee.
Oral Exam:
The oral exam portion of the comprehensive exam will be conducted immediately after
the student’s presentation of his/her research proposal to the advisory committee.
The oral exam will have two phases. In the first phase, the student will be asked
questions regarding the research proposal. The second phase of the oral exam will
test the student’s knowledge and comprehension of the core curriculum in Genomic Medicine.
This phase will focus on the material taught in the core curriculum of the Genomic
Medicine program. The total time of the oral exam should not exceed 2 hours.
Dissertation Defense:
Students will present an oral defense of their dissertation before their thesis advisory
committee and two outside readers following procedures specified by The Graduate School.
Students will be encouraged to actively participate in special events such as retreats,
journal clubs, invited speakers lectures and social functions. These activities will
foster camaraderie and communication among faculty and students. One student will
be elected to serve on the Genomic Medicine Graduate Program Executive Committee to
help in the continually ongoing development of the Graduate Program in Genomic Medicine.
Students will also be encouraged to present their research at the annual Graduate
Program in Genomic Medicine retreat, national and international scientific meetings.
