4.8 Interdepartmental and Interdisciplinary Programs

4.8.4 Genetics Graduate Program
Chair: B. Fristensky, Department of Plant Science

A broad knowledge in the field of genetics requires a study program of an interdisciplinary nature. Courses in genetics and directly related fields are currently offered in many different departments, and although the term "genetics" may not always appear as such in the course title, the subject matter is largely genetic in content.

To accommodate students wishing to do graduate work in genetics and in recognition of the multidisciplinary nature of genetics, an interfaculty graduate program in genetics has been established which is organized by the Genetics Program Committee comprising representatives from the faculties of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Medicine, and Science. The broad base of the Genetics Program Committee will provide the student with the best possible advice on program selection for a career in genetics. The Department of Human Genetics is administratively responsible for students registered in the human genetics component of the Genetics Graduate Program. Students wishing to undertake graduate studies in human genetics should seek advice directly from the chair of the graduate studies committee of the Department of Human Genetics.

Students wishing to enter the Graduate Genetics Program in areas other than human genetics should apply to the chair of the Genetics Program Committee. Students wishing to undertake studies in human genetics should apply directly to the Department of Human Genetics. Admission will be competitive and acceptance will be based on academic credentials and subject to availability of space and resources. The normal entrance requirements will be an Honours B.Sc. with emphasis on genetics with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better and no grade less than "C+" in any course taken during the final two undergraduate years. Students will be housed in one of the above mentioned faculties with the approval of the appropriate department head. Students in human genetics will generally be housed on the Bannatyne Campus of the University of Manitoba.

Regulations for the Genetics Program
The program will be administered in accordance with university general regulations covering graduate programs by the executive of the Genetics Programs Committee.

For students registered in departments other than Human Genetics the executive will carry out those activities related to graduate students that are normally the prerogative of the head of a graduate degree granting department. These activities will include but may not be limited to:

1. Assessment of the academic record of potential students as to their suitability for acceptance into the Graduate Program in Genetics. The chair shall forward the committee's recommendation(s) to the dean of Graduate Studies who shall then inform the student in writing regarding potential registration in the Graduate Genetics Program.

2. Administration of the university entrance requirement.

3. Administration of the university regulations for graduate student academic performance.

4. Assessment of students' proposed research projects submitted by their supervisors to determine if these projects are primarily genetic in nature.

For students registered in Human Genetics, all aspects of the program including selection, administration of the university regulations for graduate student academic performance and review of proposed research projects will be administered by the head of the Department of Human Genetics. Students entering the Department of Human Genetics will be selected by the department graduate studies committee who will assess the academic record of potential students and report to the Department Council. After receiving recommendations from the Department Council the department head will forward a recommendation to the dean of Graduate Studies who shall then inform the student in writing regarding potential registration in the Graduate Genetics Program.

The following supplementary regulations will apply:

Academic Standing
Students within the program will be required to obtain a "C+" or better in all courses taken for credit and a Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 in all courses selected from the Genetics course list. All candidates in this program will be required to participate in 036.713 or 036.714, Graduate Seminars in Genetics, in each year of their residency. There is no foreign language requirement.

Master's Degree
A minimum of 12 credit hours exclusive to 036.713 Graduate Seminar in Genetics I, will be required. A minimum of six credit hours must be obtained in courses listed in the Genetics course list. A thesis demonstrating proficiency in the field of study chosen by the student will be required.

Ph.D. Degree
A minimum of 12 credit hours of coursework at the 700 level, exclusive of 036.714 Graduate Seminar in Genetics II, beyond the Master's level will be required. At least six of the 12 credit hours must be obtained for courses in the Genetics course list.

Qualifying Examination: A qualifying examination may be held upon the recommendation of the selection committee and/or supervisor and the advisory committee. The format of the examination will be determined by the examining committee and the student notified no less than three months before the date of the examination.

Candidacy Examination: A candidacy examination will be required of all students registered for a Ph.D. examination as specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The majority of members of the examination committee will be members of the Genetics Program Committee.

Thesis: A thesis will be required for the Ph.D. degree according to the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Advisory Committee
Within three months of the first academic term for each student (both Master's and Ph.D. students), an advisory committee shall be established. The advisory committee shall:

1. Approve the student's program of study;
2. Report on student's progress to the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
3. Make recommendations regarding thesis examiners to the dean of Graduate Studies;
4. Make recommendations regarding the scheduling of oral examinations to the dean of Graduate Studies; and
5. Ensure fulfillment of other university requirements regarding the minimum number of courses, time, residence, academic standing, qualifying examinations, candidacy examinations, final examinations and thesis.

Genetics Course List

Department	Course Number	Title
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Animal Science	035.722	Genet. Principles of Animal Improvement
Animal Science	035.725	Special Problems in Animal Improvement
Animal Science	035.740	Quantitative Genetics in Animal Science
Animal Science	035.741	Advanced Animal Genetics
Plant Science	039.716	Advanced Genetics
Plant Science	039.751	Plant Tissue Culture
Plant Science	039.767	Quantitative Genetics & Plant Breeding
Plant Science	039.786	Plant Molecular Genetics
Faculty of Medicine
Human Genetics	125.704	Seminars in Human Genetics
Human Genetics	125.707	Special Topics in Human Genetics
Human Genetics	125.709	Principles and Practice of Human Genetics
Human Genetics	125.710	Mammalian and Human Cytogenetics
Human Genetics	125.711	Human Biochemical and Molecular Variation
Human Genetics	125.712	Laboratory Methods in Human and Medical Genetics
Human Genetics	125.713	Genetics Epidemiology of Human Populations
Human Genetics	125.714	Clinical Genetics
Human Genetics	125.716	Theory and Practice of Genetic Counselling
Human Genetics	125.717	History of Human Genetics
Faculty of Science
Microbiology	060.710	Advanced Concepts in Molecular. Biology
Microbiology	060.711	Advances in Microbial Genetics
Microbiology	060.717	Current Topics in Mammalian Cell Culture
Microbiology	060.718	Recombinant DNA Methodology
Zoology	022.734	Problems in Developmental Zoology I
Zoology	022.735	Problems in Developmental Zoology II
Interdepartmental	036.709	Cell Biology
Interdepartmental	036.713	Graduate Seminar in Genetics I
Interdepartmental	036.714	Graduate Seminar in Genetics II
Interdepartmental	036.724	Nucleic Acids: Manipulation, Structure & Function

Pre-Master's Program
Students not fulfilling the entrance requirements will be required to undertake a pre-Master's program designed specifically to fulfill deficiencies in their background.

Graduate Genetics Program Committee Members: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
Animal Science: G.H. Crow, R.J. Parker

Plant Science: A. Brule-Babel, P.B.C. McVetty*, R. Scarth, B. Fristensky*

Faculty of Medicine
Human Genetics: N. Carson, B. Chordiker, A.E. Chudley, A. Dawson, A.M.J. De Lange*, J.A. Evans, D. Gietz*, A. Greenberg, C.R. Greenberg, J.L. Hamerton, M. Lewis, P.J. McAlpine, M. Mowat, B. Triggs-Raine, R. Woods, K.Wrogemann

Pathology: G. Williams

Pediatrics: T. Zelinsky

Faculty of Science
Microbiology: G. Klassen, H.B. LeJohn, P.C. Loewen, E. Worobec*, D. Court*

Zoology: R. McGowan, B.J. Hann, T. Dick.

Adjunct Professor: G. Penner, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; R. Woods, University of Winnipeg

Recommended Member: T. Warkentin, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, dean of Graduate Studies or designate (ex officio)*
Chair Undergraduate Genetics Program Committee (ex officio)
*Members of the Executive.

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