Educational Activities in the Department of Genome Sciences
The Department of Genome Sciences is committed to training the next generation of scientists in genetics, genomics, and computational biology. Our faculty provide hands-on research mentorship and teach specialized courses that equip students with the skills needed to tackle complex biological questions.
Graduate Programs and Student Training
Our department plays a central role in training graduate students from multiple UVA programs, including:
BIMS serves as the umbrella Ph.D. program at UVA SOM, providing an interdisciplinary foundation in biomedical research before students select a specific degree track. Many Genome Sciences faculty mentor BIMS students.
This program integrates engineering principles with biomedical research, offering students opportunities to apply computational and genomic approaches to biomedical challenges.
Housed in the College of Arts & Sciences, the Biology program provides a broad foundation in life sciences, with opportunities for students to engage in genome sciences research.
Within BIMS, many of our students come from the following two specialized Ph.D. tracks, which provide rigorous training in genome sciences:
This interdisciplinary program prepares students to develop and apply computational methods for analyzing complex biological data, bridging genomics, bioinformatics, and machine learning.
The BMG program trains students in molecular biology, functional genomics, and disease mechanisms, focusing on gene regulation, epigenetics, and genome stability.
Courses Taught by Our Faculty
Faculty members in the Department of Genome Sciences lead several advanced courses that provide essential training in genetics, genomics, and computational biology, including:
- BIMS 8075 / BIOC 5705 – Recent Advances in Public Health Genomics
- BIMS 8701 – Computational Biology I
- BIMS 8702 – Computational Biology II
- BIMS 8611 – Statistical Genetics
These courses equip students with the theoretical and practical skills necessary to analyze genomic data and contribute to cutting-edge research in genome sciences.
By fostering an interdisciplinary and collaborative training environment, the Department of Genome Sciences prepares students to lead innovations in genomic research and biomedical discovery.