University Catalog 2016-2017

University of Colorado Boulder
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Behavioral Genetics

    The Institute for Behavioral Genetics (IBG) offers a training program in behavioral genetics. The goal of the program is to train scientists in the study of genetic contributions to individual differences in behavior. This is accomplished by requiring students to obtain strong training in a primary academic discipline, by providing training in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral genetics, and by providing an atmosphere in which close interactions among scholars with different perspectives may be established. 

    While no undergraduate degree is currently offered, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) enables students to work closely with a professor on the research of their choice, preparatory to graduate work in behavioral genetics. For more information, see enrichment.colorado.edu/urop.

    Graduate Degree Program(s)

    Graduate Study in Behavioral Genetic

    The graduate program features a core set of courses and continuous research training with one or more IBG faculty members, and furnishes valuable opportunities for interaction among scholars with widely varying academic backgrounds. A student wishing to specialize in behavioral genetics must be regularly enrolled as a graduate student in an academic department of the university. The training program requires completion of:

    • four core courses (Genetics, Molecular and Behavioral Genetics, Statistics, and Scientific Integrity)
    • one course from core quantitative electives (Quantitative Genetics, Biometrical Methods in Behavioral Genetics, and Statistical Genetics)
    • one course from core basic science electives (Bioinformatics and Genomics, Neuropharmacology)
    • one “Concepts” or “Seminar” course in behavioral genetics

    Students also must participate in a weekly journal club and monthly colloquia series.

    Each trainee works as a teaching assistant for one semester in a course relevant to his or her professional specialty. An IBG trainee’s doctoral dissertation research must be conducted on a topic directly relevant to animal or human behavioral genetics. A student in the interdisciplinary certificate program must have an IBG faculty member as an advisor and an advisory committee composed of faculty from both IBG and the academic department. The advisory committee evaluates the student’s progress and may impose additional requirements. Information about the IBG interdisciplinary certificate program may be obtained at www.colorado.edu/ibg/education_and_training/affiliated.html or by contacting the Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado Boulder, 447 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0447; 303-492-7362; fax 303-492-8063.