[Fields of Study]

Forensic and Investigative Genetics

Graduate Faculty: Budowle, Chakraborty, Eisenberg, Ge, Gill-King, Planz, Roby, Turnbough, Warren

1.            Forensic Genetics Master of Science Professional Program:

A specialized program designed to offer a focused learning experience in forensic science with an emphasis on hands on training in current and future DNA technologies. The program prepares individuals for careers in forensic DNA sciences, emphasizing the application of current methods and technologies to human identification. The program was designed to meet all educational and many training requirements for Forensic DNA Analysts and Technical Leaders as outlined in the National Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Degree Plan

The following curriculum is required for students enrolled in the Forensic Genetics Master of Science program:

2.            Traditional Research Track Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Research track students perform original, publishable research and present their research findings at national and international scientific meetings. M.S. students are expected to graduate in 2 to 3 years, whereas Ph.D. students require 4 or more years to complete their degree. Forensic and Investigative Genetics students’ degree plans are dictated by the specific needs of the student’s field of research, under advisement by the Graduate Advisor and their Advisory Committee. Fall and Spring Core courses if proficiency is not reflected in the students transcripts. Credit may be given under some instances associated with student transfer from an equivalent program, but is subject to approval from the Dean.

A.            Master of Science

Students following a traditional thesis-based research M.S. degree track will conduct original research. The M. S. degree requirements are met upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 48 semester credit hours (SCH) of coursework and research credits, including the successful completion of a formal public seminar on their thesis research, oral final defense of their research and approval of a thesis. Submission of research results for publication and presentation at national level meetings is expected.

B.            Doctor of Philosophy

Ph.D. studies in Forensic and Investigative Genetics are broadly interdisciplinary. Students may undertake research in areas such as forensic genetics, clinical genetics, computational genetics, evolutionary genetics, microbial genetics and many other interrelated disciplines. The Ph.D. degree requirements are met upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 90 semester credit hours (SCH) of course work and research credits, including the successful completion of the requirements for advancement to candidacy and defense of their dissertation research. Students entering the program with a non-terminal M.S. degree must complete a minimum of 60 SCH beyond that earned in their master’s studies. It is expected that, prior to the awarding of the Ph.D. degree, students will have published, in press, or submitted two first-author publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Degree plans

The following curriculum is representative of what a student enrolled in the Forensic and Investigative Genetics program will perform:

M.S. Degree Plan for Forensic and Investigative Genetics

Ph.D. Degree Plan for Forensic and Investigative Genetics

*Potential Advanced Courses

Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination within the Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics must be successfully completed prior to earning 72 SCH of coursework. The qualifying examination consists of written and oral components. Fundamental knowledge and understanding of general research techniques in genetics and molecular biology, and concepts regarding the analysis of genetic data will be included. The student is encouraged to meet with their committee members to discuss topic areas for review. However, the committee members are in no means restricted to those discussed or provided to the student. Refusal to take a qualifying exam will result in dismissal from the FIG graduate program.

The initial phase of the qualifying examination consists of a set of written questions provided by all members of the student’s Ph.D. advisory committee. The composition of the examination is determined by this committee. Written examinations from all advisory committee members must be completed within a two (2) week period and each committee member’s examination will be allotted a maximum of 1 day (8AM – 5PM). Within two (2) weeks of the submission of the exam, each committee member will return a Pass/Fail grade and their written critique of the student’s responses.

The student’s oral examination is scheduled within 4 weeks of successful completion of the last written examination and in accordance with the GSGS guidelines. The oral examination will consist of questions that further explore the student’s answers in the written phase, as well as questions on additional topics as deemed appropriate by the committee. The university member must be in attendance for the oral examination.

The qualifying examination will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis, following the Scoring Rubric implemented by the GSBS. Following completion of the oral qualifying exam the student must submit the signed Oral Qualifying Exam Notice to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Office of Admission & Services (GSBS OAS).

Successful completion of the qualifying examination must be accomplished before the student can register for Grant Writing (BMSC 6310). The student is permitted two attempts to pass the qualifying examination. Failure to pass the qualifying examination after two attempts will result in dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Grant Writing (BMSC 6310)

After passing the qualifying examination, but prior to the completion of 84 SCH, the student must register for Grant Writing (BMSC 6310). This component of the advancement to Ph.D. candidacy process evaluates a student’s aptitude for independent thought and scientific writing. The student is required to prepare a research grant proposal modeled after the current NIH R21 format. The student must present the proposal in a public seminar; and orally defend the proposal before his/her Ph.D. advisory committee. The grant proposal must be original, hypothesis driven, and must describe specific objectives and experimental approaches used to test the hypothesis.

It is suggested that the student start work on the basis for the proposal and have a working draft approved by their advisory committee prior to registering for the class. The student should meet with the advisory committee at least twice during the semester to review drafts of the proposal and provide to the advisory committee a final proposal approved by the major professor at least 10 working days prior to the public seminar and oral defense. The student’s university member must be present for committee meetings, the public seminar, and oral defense of the proposal. The grant proposal, oral presentation, and defense will be evaluated on the basis of originality, feasibility, and ability to communicate the proposal content. The grant writing exercise will be graded on a Pass/Fail basis, following the Scoring Rubric implemented by the GSBS. Following completion of the grant defense the student must submit the signed Grant Defense Notice to the GSBS OAS.

Upon successful completion of the Grant Writing (BMSC 6310) requirements, the student is advanced to candidacy. Two attempts to successfully complete the BMSC 6310 requirements are permitted. If the grant proposal and/or oral defense are not approved on the first attempt, they may be offered a re-examination during the current semester if sufficient time permits. If a re-examination is not scheduled, the student will receive a failing grade for the class and he/she will be required to re-register for BMSC 6310 in the next long semester. The grant proposal and/or oral defense must be successfully defended on the second attempt, or the student will be dismissed from the Ph.D. program.

Defense of M.S. Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertation

Procedures for defense of M.S. Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertation follow the policies outlined in the Current GSBS Graduate Catalog.

Between the years 2001-2011, the UNTHSC Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics has produced 84 graduates with Professional Master of Science degrees. Below is a partial list of agencies that have hired our graduates as Forensic DNA analysts:

Texas Department of Public Safety- Austin

Texas Department of Public Safety- El Paso

Texas Department of Public Safety- Garland

Texas Department of Public Safety- Houston

Texas Department of Public Safety- Lubbock

Monroe County Public s Safety Lab- Rochester, N.Y.

Office of Chief Medical Examiner- N.Y., N.Y

US Army Criminal Investigation Lab- Atlanta, GA.

Harris County Medical Examiners Lab- Houston, TX.

Fort Worth PD Crime Lab- Fort Worth, TX

Houston Police Department Forensic Laboratories- Houston, TX.

South West Institute of Forensic Science- Dallas, TX.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Forensic Laboratories

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

UNTHSC Center for Human Identification DNA Laboratory

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab

University of Nebraska Medical Center Human  DNA Lab

Albuquerque Police Department Crime La-N.M.

Colorado Springs Police Department Crime Lab- Colorado

North LA. Regional Forensic Laboratory- Shreveport, LA.

University of Minnesota Gene Therapy Laboratory

Orchid Cellmark Laboratory- Dallas, TX.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation- Oklahoma City, OK.

DNA Reference Laboratories- San Antonio, TX.

Baylor University Medical Center, Kimberly H. Courtwright and Joseph W. Summers Institute of Metabolic Disease- Dallas, TX.

Several of our graduates have also gone on to further their education. They are either in the process of completing or have completed doctoral degrees in Medicine, Biomedical Science, Marine Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Wildlife Genetics or Jurisprudence at the following schools:

University of North Texas Health Science Center- Fort Worth, TX.

Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine- Fort Worth, TX.

Texas Tech University Law School- Lubbock, TX.

Auburn University- Auburn, AL.

Texas A&M Medical School- College Station, TX.

Baylor College of Medicine- Houston, TX.

Trent University- Canada