Undergraduate Studies

The Departmental Major

The Genetics Department was established in 1998 and graduated its first class in May of 2000. All Genetics majors must complete a minimum of 6 credits of independent scholarship.  This is generally done two different ways. Many students complete 12 credits of independent research in an active laboratory. This research can be done under the direction of any appropriate faculty member at Rutgers in New Brunswick or at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Other students opt to take 6 credits of Advanced Independent Study. Advanced Independent Study is an opportunity for students to work on a variety of scholarly projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Finally, it is possible to combine Laboratory Research and Advanced Independent Study.

View the Departmental Guidelines for the Genetics major or click on the "Requirements" button to the left for more information.

Details of all aspects of the major can be found in the Student Handbook - Genetics Major. This handbook provides valuable information on declaring the major, advising, curriculum, research and honors. Students can obtain this Handbook as a PDF file by clicking the link above or may obtain a hard copy from the Genetics Department Office, B Wing, Room B-416, Nelson Bio Labs Building. Curriculum worksheets can be found at the end of the Handbook.

For your convenience we are making the following available on-line:

1.	The Genetics Major Information Form (RTF)
2.	The Research Approval Form required of majors to register for independent research (PDF)
3.	The Honors Research Application Form (RTF/ PDF)
4.	Application for Summer Research or for more than 6 credits per semester (PDF)
5.	Curriculum Worksheet for all students who have taken Genetic Analysis I and II (PDF)
6.	DLS Course Synopsis
7.	Genetics Advising Page (allows students to track their progress through the major)
8.	Old Worksheets open only to members of the class of 2007 who have declared a major in Genetics as of July 1, 2005 (Old Option A/ Old Option C)
9.	Guidelines for the Honors Thesis (PDF)

Microbiology is no longer supported by The Department of Genetics. Students interested in a microbiology major should contact the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS).  The SEBS Microbiology website is: http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~dbm/micro.htm