Genetics (MS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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The Genetics graduate program combines a range of genetics or genetics-related courses offered by various departments at Kansas State University with an intensive original research experience that leads to the M.S. degree. The required core of genetics courses cover the genetics of organisms from throughout the Tree of Life (microorganisms, eukaryotes) as well as important quantitative and conceptual genetics topics (population genetics). Elective courses span a wide range of courses that include genetics, and include specialized genetics topics, genomics and bioinformatics courses, and applied genetics courses that are more study-system specific.

For the Genetics M.S. thesis option, the student must take 30 total credits, including at least 22 credits of coursework, and complete and defend a thesis.

Admission Requirements

All students entering the M.S program should have a background in basic Mendelian genetics and molecular genetics and have at minimum a B average in these courses. A preference is given to applicants with some experience in genetics-related research.

Questions about this degree program, the degree requirements and admissions requirements can be directed to genetics@ksu.edu. Emails to this address will be received by the Chair of the Genetics Program, the Graduate Program Director, and the Chair of the Genetics Admissions Committee.

BIOL 675 - Genetics of Microorganisms Credits: 3
BIOL 705 - Eukaryotic Genetics Credits: 3

Course Requirements

Required Core:

A minimum of 15 graduate credit hours, unless approved by supervisory committee.

BIOL 675 - Genetics of Microorganisms Credits: 3
BIOL 705 - Eukaryotic Genetics Credits: 3
A 700-level (or higher) course in population genetics
e.g., PLPTH 820 - Population Genetics Credits: 3
A 700-level (or higher) statistics (STAT) course
e.g., STAT 703 - Introduction to Statistical Methods for the Sciences Credits: 3
or
e.g., STAT 705 - Regression and Analysis of Variance Credits: 3
A 500-level (or higher) biochemistry (BIOCH) course
e.g., BIOCH 521 - General Biochemistry Credits: 3
Seminar. Genetics M.S. students are also required to meet the seminar requirements of the students in their host departments, including enrolling in any required seminar courses.
e.g., PLPTH 870 - Thesis/ Dissertation Proposal Seminar Credits: 1

Electives:

At least 6 graduate credit hours. Relevant electives courses are offered by Agronomy (AGRON), Animal Science and Industry (ASI), Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BIOCH), Biology (BIOL), Computer Science (CIS), Entomology (ENTOM), Plant Pathology (PLPTH), and Statistics (STAT) or other departments, subject to approval by the supervisory committee. Below examples are not an exhaustive list of potential electives.

e.g., AGRON 860 - Applied Plant Breeding Credits: 3
e.g., ASI 749 - Advanced Animal Breeding Credits: 3
e.g., BIOL 707 - Advanced Cell Biology Credits: 3
e.g., PLPTH 812 - Introduction to Integrative Genome Analysis Credits: 3
e.g., PLPTH 813 - Bioinformatics Applications Credits: 3

Thesis Option:

6-8 graduate credit hours. Students enroll in M.S. research credits (thesis option) through their host department - a minimum of 6 credits are required, a maximum of 8 credits can be applied to the Genetics M.S. program of study.

e.g., PLPTH 899 - Research in Plant Pathology for the MS Degree Credits: 1-18

Kansas State University

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