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Twin Cities Campus

Genetics Minor

Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development TCBS
College of Biological Sciences
  • Program Type: Undergraduate minor related to major
  • Requirements for this program are current for Spring 2023
  • Required credits in this minor: 20
The genetics minor focuses on understanding the biology of genes. Genes are composed of DNA, encode proteins, are the basis for phenotypes. Genes are the heritable information that is passed from parent to progeny. Differences in genes are the diversity that is the basis for evolution and the cause of genetic diseases. Training provided by the genetics minor will benefit students in a wide variety of majors including health sciences, engineering and agriculture.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
This minor is only for non-CBS students. Students pursuing the Cell Biology minor are not eligible for the Genetics minor.
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
Minor Requirements
Chemistry
CHEM 1081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences I [PHYS] (3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory [PHYS] (1.0 cr)
or CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I [PHYS] (3.0 cr)
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory [PHYS] (1.0 cr)
or CHEM 1071H - Honors Chemistry I [PHYS] (3.0 cr)
CHEM 1075H - Honors Chemistry I Laboratory [PHYS] (1.0 cr)
Biology
BIOL 1009 - General Biology [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
or BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
or BIOL 1951H - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors [BIOL] (4.0 cr)
Genetics
GCD 3022 - Genetics (3.0 cr)
or BIOL 4003 - Genetics (3.0 cr)
Electives
Take 9 or more credit(s) from the following:
· BIOL 5309 - Molecular Ecology And Ecological Genomics (3.0 cr)
· EEB 5042 - Quantitative Genetics (3.0 cr)
· GCD 2171 - Stem Cells in Biomedicine and Society [TS] (3.0 cr)
· GCD 3486 - Personal Genome Analysis (3.0 cr)
· GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics (3.0 cr)
· GCD 4143 - Human Genetics and Genomics (3.0 cr)
· GCD 4151 - Molecular Biology of Cancer (3.0 cr)
· GCD 4161 - Developmental Biology (3.0 cr)
· GCD 4171 - Stem Cells in Biology and Medicine (3.0 cr)
 
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· Genetics Minor
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CHEM 1081 - Chemistry for the Life Sciences I (PHYS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1061/ 1071/H/ 1081
Typically offered: Every Fall
The topics of atomic theory, molecular structure, bonding and shape, energy and enthalpy, gases, properties of solutions, and equilibrium will be presented along with their application to biological systems. Intended to provide a strong chemistry background for students pursuing life science related majors or careers in life science related fields. prereq: grade of a C- or better in CHEM 1015 or passing chemistry placement exam.
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory (PHYS)
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1065/Chem 1075H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Basic laboratory skills while investigating physical and chemical phenomena closely linked to lecture material. Experimental design, data collection and treatment, discussion of errors, and proper treatment of hazardous wastes. prereq: concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1061
CHEM 1061 - Chemical Principles I (PHYS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1061/ 1071/H/ 1081
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Atomic theory, periodic properties of elements. Thermochemistry, reaction stoichiometry. Behavior of gases, liquids, and solids. Molecular/ionic structure/bonding. Organic chemistry and polymers. energy sources, environmental issues related to energy use. Prereq-Grade of at least C- in [1011 or 1015] or [passing placement exam, concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1065]; intended for science or engineering majors; concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1065; registration for 1065 must precede registration for 1061
CHEM 1065 - Chemical Principles I Laboratory (PHYS)
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1065/Chem 1075H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Basic laboratory skills while investigating physical and chemical phenomena closely linked to lecture material. Experimental design, data collection and treatment, discussion of errors, and proper treatment of hazardous wastes. prereq: concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1061
CHEM 1071H - Honors Chemistry I (PHYS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1061/ 1071/H/ 1081
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Advanced introduction to atomic theory. Periodic properties of elements. Behavior of gases, liquids, and solids. Molecular/ionic structure, bonding. Aspects of organic chemistry, spectroscopy, and polymers. Mathematically demanding quantitative problems. Writing for scientific journals. prereq: Honors student, permission of University Honors Program, concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 1075H; registration for 1075H must precede registration for 1071H
CHEM 1075H - Honors Chemistry I Laboratory (PHYS)
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Course Equivalencies: Chem 1065/Chem 1075H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Develop laboratory skills while investigating physical and chemical phenomena closely linked to lecture material. Experimental design, data collection and treatment, discussion of errors, and the proper treatment of hazardous wastes. prereq: prereq or coreq 1071H; honors student or permission of University Honors Program
BIOL 1009 - General Biology (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1009/Biol 1009H
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
A comprehensive introduction to biology - includes molecular structure of living things, cell processes, energy utilization, genetic information and inheritance, mechanisms of evolution, biological diversity, and ecology. Includes lab. This comprehensive course serves as a prerequisite and requirement in many majors.
BIOL 1951 - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1951/H/Biol 2002/H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Core biological concepts, from biomolecules to ecosystems. Emphasizes evolution, organismal diversity, and genetics within context of problem solving/applications. Students must take both BIOL 1951 and BIOL 1961 to be awarded the Biological Sciences LE. This course is required for all CBS majors
BIOL 1951H - Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors (BIOL)
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 1951/H/Biol 2002/H
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Core biological concepts, from biomolecules to ecosystems. Emphasizes evolution, organismal diversity, and genetics within context of problem solving/applications. Students must take both BIOL 1951H and BIOL 1961 to be awarded the Biological Sciences LE. This course is required for all CBS honors students
GCD 3022 - Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4003/GCD 3022
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Mechanisms of heredity, implications for biological populations. Applications to practical problems. prereq: Introductory biology course such as Biol 1009
BIOL 4003 - Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 4003/GCD 3022
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Genetic information, its transmission from parents to offspring, its expression in cells/organisms, and its course in populations. prereq: Biol 2003/2003H or BioC 3021 or BioC 4331 or grad
BIOL 5309 - Molecular Ecology And Ecological Genomics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Biol 5309/PBio 5309
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Application of molecular tools (PCR, sequencing, AFLP, SNPs, QTL) and analyses of molecular data for understanding ecological/evolutionary processes. Strengths/weaknesses of techniques/analyses. Questions molecular tools are used to answer. prereq: BIOL 3407 or BIOL 3409 or BIOL 4003
EEB 5042 - Quantitative Genetics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Fundamentals of quantitative genetics. Genetic/environmental influences on expression of quantitative traits. Approaches to characterizing genetic basis of trait variation. Processes that lead to change in quantitative traits. Applied/evolutionary aspects of quantitative genetic variation. prereq: [BIOL 4003 or GCD 3022] or instr consent; a course in statistics is recommended
GCD 2171 - Stem Cells in Biomedicine and Society (TS)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Course Equivalencies: GCD 2171/GCD 4171
Typically offered: Every Spring
A course that focuses on the general properties of stem cells, their potential uses in biomedicine, and the potential impact of their use on society. The course is suitable for students who have successfully completed at least one general biology course that included coverage of basic genetics and cell biology. Stem cells are one of the rapidly growing topics in biology. Research into stem cells ranges from basic biology to regeneration to clinical applications to ethics. In this course, you will learn the general features of embryonic, artificial, or adult-tissue stem cells: how they contribute to tissue regeneration, how scientists create and manipulate stem cells, what scientists do with them, what the public considers stem cell research and why. Then, you will learn about bone marrow transplantation, an established stem cell-based therapy, and various diseases and potential applications of stem cells to treat/cure the diseases. By the end of this course, you will have deeper insights into stem cells. Recommended prerequisites: BIOL1009 (General Biology), BIOL1951 (Foundations of Biology Lecture I for Biological Sciences Majors) or an equivalent General Biology course that includes basic coverage of genetics and cell biology This course can NOT be used as an elective for some CBS majors, such as the GCD major. Check the Program Requirements for your major to determine if it can be used as an elective.
GCD 3486 - Personal Genome Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
In this course, students will analyze their personal genome data. They will gain experience using computer applications and online databases of human genetic information. They will learn about their ancestry, their regional origins, and their risks of genetically linked disease. They will learn how to put human genome results into context and how to explain human genomics in non-technical language. Prerequisite: BIOL 2003/2003H
GCD 4034 - Molecular Genetics and Genomics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Molecular genetics and genomics of eukaryotes. Course emphasizes mechanisms of gene regulation and how these are studied. Current strategies used to study the activity and function of genes and genomes, including the role of chromatin, will be covered. Techniques will include gene knockouts/knockdown, genome engineering, genome-wide analysis of RNA and protein expression and function, as well as genome-wide protein binding and chromatin interaction mapping. Technologies covered will include next-generations and third-generation sequencing and CRISPR-based strategies for gene modification and precision gene regulation. Students will analyze and present recent primary papers in molecular genetic and genomics. Prerequisite: BIOL 4003
GCD 4143 - Human Genetics and Genomics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Human Genetics ? the science of how our genomes function, vary, and shape our unique, individual characteristics ? is a rapidly expanding field with major implications for medical and fundamental research, clinical practice, and many other areas. In this course, students will learn about the principles of human genetics & genomics at the levels of molecules, cells, individuals, and populations. Topics include patterns of inheritance; the molecular causes and biochemical basis of genetic disorders; disease gene identification; the origin and distribution of human genetic variation; genetic influences on common, complex diseases; epigenetics and regulation of gene expression; genomic technologies for understanding human genomes; cancer genetics; behavioral genetics; human ancestry and evolution; applications such as genetic screening, genetic counseling, and gene therapy; and ethical questions raised by emerging abilities to edit the human genome, modify the human germline, and many more. prereq: BIOL 4003 or instructor consent
GCD 4151 - Molecular Biology of Cancer
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Regulatory pathways involved in directing normal development of complex eukaryotic organisms, how disruptions of these pathways can lead to abnormal cell growth/cancer. Causes, detection, treatment, prevention of cancer. prereq: Biol 4003
GCD 4161 - Developmental Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Developmental biology is the study of the process by which organisms grow and develop from embryo to adult. This field encompasses the biology of morphogenesis, differentiation, regeneration, metamorphosis, and the growth and differentiation of stem cells. Topics focus primarily on animal development to include fertilization, cell specification, body patterning, stem cells, neurogenesis, organogenesis, limb formation, regeneration, sex determination, and developmental timing, as well as environmental impacts on development. Students will learn about genetic models such as fruit flies, nematodes, fish, mice, and plants. Coverage will be extended to human development and disease as appropriate. prereq: BIOL 4003; also recommended prerequisite: BIOL 4004 or GCD 4005W
GCD 4171 - Stem Cells in Biology and Medicine
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: GCD 8181/SCB 8181
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Contemporary stem cell biology with emphasis on mechanisms/applications. Embryonic, tissue-specific, and induced pluripotent stem cells and potential uses in human disease. prerequisites: BIOL 4003 Genetics; recommended prerequisite: BIOL 4004 Cell Biology or GCD 4005W This course can be used as an elective for certain CBS majors, such as the GCD major. Check the Program Requirements for your major to determine if it can be used as an elective.