Education: Human Genetics Training Track
The CCEB has an extremely successful pre- and postdoctoral training program in epidemiology and biostatistics. Other campus training programs provide outstanding opportunities for coursework and thesis research in the basic science and clinical disciplines. The University of Pennsylvania has also initiated training programs in computational biology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology, and genomics. These programs provide a foundation for the basic tools required for the type of multidisciplinary training in molecular epidemiology and statistical genetics that will be fully implemented in the CGACT.The Human Genetics Track is the component of the CCEB training programs that prepares students to integrate the methods of genetics, molecular biology, biostatistics, and epidemiology to study human disease. Those who wish to enroll in the Human Genetics Track should demonstrate they have a fundamental grasp of basic human genetics principles, which can be achieved by demonstrating prior research or training experiences. Alternatively, students may take courses offered on or off campus to make up for deficiencies in this area.
Students in the Human Genetics Track are required to take the core courses plus Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology (EP 575) and an additional genetics elective course. Students also are expected to participate in a genetics rotation during the period of their training. This rotation can be in any setting in which genetics research is being undertaken, including (but not limited to) experiences in hands-on molecular biology labs, computer-based statistical genetics research, and clinical genetics rotations. The student, Track Director (Timothy Rebbeck, Ph.D.), and mentor determine these rotations during the course of training.
Links to CCEB training programs:
