C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U LT U R E & L I F E S C I E N C E S
BS
MOLECULAR GENETICS
WHAT IS MOLECULAR GENETICS? Molecular genetics is an exciting field that combines the study of molecular biology and genetics to understand the molecular structure of DNA and how genes are expressed within organisms. New breakthroughs in genetic engineering and DNA sequencing continue to foster new discoveries in how genetic factors impact many aspects of life and disease, providing molecular genetics majors with endless opportunities to explore.
WHY MOLECULAR GENETICS AT UVM? • The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is unique at UVM because it exists within two colleges: the Robert Larner College of Medicine and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. This enables molecular genetics students the unique opportunity to work with faculty from diverse departments and at the UVM Medical Center, the only acdaemic medical center in Vermont, located on the UVM campus. • Hands-on classroom laboratory experiences from day one. All molecular genetics students take a first-year colloquium where they gain foundational skills and uncover mysteries in their own DNA. • Ability to get involved in cutting-edge research projects such as DNA repair, understanding infectious diseases, bioinformatics and developmental genetics. • Faculty have a deep commitment to undergraduate advising, guiding students through their academic pathways, research projects and internships, and post-graduate plans. • Excellent track record of graduates’ admittance into top-notch medical and graduate schools, as well as job placements.
CORE COURSES MMG 104 Intro to Recombinant DNA Technology MMG 106 Intro to Biomedical Research Methods MMG 196 Molecular & Cell Biology BCOR 101 Genetics CHEM 141 & 142 Organic Chemistry
ELECTIVE COURSES MMG 201 Molecular Cloning Lab MMG 225 Eukaryotic Virology MMG 227 Cancer Genetics MMG 231 Bioinformatics & Data Analysis Sampling of courses only. Explore more course offerings: go.uvm.edu/mgen
Molecular genetics major Mehul Shah is conducting research in Larner College of Medicine’s Ward Lab on Toxoplasma gondii, one of the most widespread parasites on the planet.
C O L L E G E O F A G R I C U LT U R E & L I F E S C I E N C E S
BS
MOLECULAR GENETICS STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES CALS DISTINGUISHED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT “Viruses are absolutely fascinating,” says molecular genetics major Danielle Allen. Allen is conducting undergraduate research in Dr.Marcus Thali’s lab, which is studying the spread of HIV at the cellular level. Allen’s research is focused on one of the relevant host proteins – EWI-2 – that’s involved in cell fusion. Working in the Thali Lab has given her hands-on experience that she will apply as a graduate student in UVM’s Accelerated Master’s in Public Health program next year.
UVM PREMEDICAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM EMERGENCY MEDICINE RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROGRAM MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR GENETICS CLUB PRE-MEDICAL/PRE-PA/ PRE-DENTAL CLUBS UVM RESCUE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER INTERNSHIP INTERNSHIPS WITH LOCAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANIES
ALUMNI IN ACTION “The capability to do research as a UVM undergrad is unparalleled in other programs.” - Victoria Primavera ‘18, Plum Island Animal Disease Center Having graduated with a double major in molecular genetics and animal science, Victoria Primavera ’18 is now developing vaccines for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at Plum Island’s Animal Disease Center. She says the courses she took at UVM, as well as lab research, prepared her well for the challenging work she does today. Primavera cites her experience in UVM professor Matt Wargo’s lab as the “single most beneficial thing I could have done in terms of understanding project development, troubleshooting, and how research works.”
over
85%
of MMG graduates are in research or medical professions
CONTACT Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics 201 Stafford Hall, 95 Carrigan Hall Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-2164 mmg@uvm.edu
L E A R N M O R E AT
go.uvm.edu/mgen