Overview
BCOM's Department of Molecular and Human Genetics Is #1 in NIH Grants and Funding Among Genetics Departments in U.S.
The Institute for Molecular Genetics, originally created in 1985, was renamed the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics in 1994 to offer a variety of research, clinical, and training programs in genetics to a wide range of graduate, medical, and postdoctoral students. Among the many genetics departments at American medical schools, Baylor's department continues to lead the way with department facilities that are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for cellular, molecular, and biochemical genetics research. There are also several facilities capable of specialized investigations and unique techniques that support critical research efforts in innovative ways.
The Graduate Program in Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine (BMOC) provides outstanding educational support for students desiring a career in research, education, and service in this growing field. Students in the program are afforded opportunities for rigorous training in modern biology with a special emphasis on the study of genetics. They participate in leading-edge research on a wide range of subjects and publish work in some of the top peer-reviewed journals in the world. The unique environment of a world-class medical center affords students an opportunity to obtain education and practical, hands-on experience in both basic studies and applied research.
The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics offers an NIGMS-supported training program leading to the Ph.D. degree. The department also cooperates in the Medical Scientist Training Program that leads to a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree. Students first enrolled in the program in the mid-1980s and, to date, 128 degrees have been awarded, and the 2009¿10 academic year was scheduled to begin with 80 students in training. The department continues to rank first in the number of NIH grants and first in total NIH funding among genetics departments at U.S. medical schools. The Department of Molecular and Human Genetics interacts closely with other departments at Baylor and with other institutions in the sprawling, state-of-the-art Texas Medical Center.
Laboratories with State-of-the-Art Equipment Serve Multiple Research Projects Simultaneously in a Collaborative Setting
Faculty members in the department manage research efforts in laboratories that are fully outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The arrangement of laboratories contributes to the collaborative environment, as the design relies on centralized core facilities where the instrumentation serves the aims of multiple investigators on varying projects. The cooperative and collaborative interactions¿among department faculty members as well as between the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics and other departments and organizations¿enable graduate students to take full advantage of the facilities, and the brain trust, available at the Texas Medical Center.
Medical Genetics Residency Program Introduces Students to Academic Careers and Affords Valuable Laboratory Experience
The Medical Genetics Residency Program prepares students for a fulfilling academic career by providing an integrated, integrative experience in clinical as well as experimental genetics. Under the guidance of the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, training activities in clinical genetics and research prepare the trainees to care for both pediatric and adult patients who are afflicted with biochemical, cytogenetic, and developmental diseases. This also enables students to gain valuable laboratory experience in their chosen fields of medical genetics. The Baylor program has earned a position of preeminence in the global genetics community, is approved by the American Board of Medical Genetics, and is supported by a training grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.
Baylor Is a Top Professional Community, Promoting Interdisciplinary Research and Cultivating Leading-Edge Researchers
The Baylor College of Medicine is an independent, private institution committed to offering the best in basic and medical science training and education. Promoting the development of interdisciplinary research programs, it has consistently identified and supported outstanding scholars, researchers, investigators, and medical practitioners. The environment, interactive and collaborative, offers great benefits to graduate students by expanding their learning opportunities in new and innovative directions.
Baylor College of Medicine is located in the sprawling Texas Medical Center, a large, vigorous, and trailblazing professional community that includes the University of Texas Health Science Center, eight teaching hospitals, and the Anderson Cancer Center. Rice University is nearby, and the nation's fourth-largest city, Houston, provides a prime destination for cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities.
An Elite Group of Students Is Invited into the Departmental Program to Pursue a Ph.D. or a Combined M.D./Ph.D. Degree
Students in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics may seek a Ph.D. degree or a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree. In recent years only 15 students, on average, have been accepted into the elite program. The Graduate School enrollment is some 580 students, while there are approximately 680 enrolled at the Medical School. Admission policies at Baylor emphasize equal opportunity for all, without regard to age, race, sex, country of origin, religion, or handicap.
Fully Funded Tuition, Health Insurance, and Travel Costs for Students Accepted into the Prestigious Department Program
A stipend and fringe benefits package is provided to all graduate students enrolled at the Baylor College of Medicine. The current award is $26,000 annually, with health insurance included at not cost. Full tuition scholarships are awarded to all students admitted to the department program, and following admission to candidacy they also received a $1000 travel grant from the department itself, to initiate their participation in national meetings within their specialty area. The tuition costs are covered in full by tuition scholarships and training grants.
