PhD in Integrative Genetics and Genomics in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Integrative Genetics and Genomics graduate program enables students to utilize genomic, molecular, and classical genetic techniques for studying model organisms, various native and agricultural species, humans, and pets. This interdisciplinary program connects genetic research university-wide, bringing together over 100 faculty from more than 25 departments across multiple colleges and schools, including Biological Sciences, Letters and Science, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. Students gain access to an exceptional variety of research and learning opportunities, spanning foundational to practical genetics applications.

Faculty throughout the university offer diverse genetics-focused courses. The Integrative Genetics and Genomics Graduate Group also delivers specialized core courses for graduate-level genetics education, covering modern genetics topics like molecular, quantitative, population, and cytogenetics, along with genomics and bioinformatics. Doctoral candidates typically spend their initial two years combining core and specialized coursework with teaching assistantships and lab research. In their first two quarters, Ph.D. students are advised to complete rotations in three or four labs before choosing a research focus and primary advisor. By the third year, students take an oral qualifying exam to demonstrate their genetics knowledge and ability to defend a research plan. Upon passing, they advance to candidacy and focus entirely on their scientific research for the remainder of their studies.