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Entry Requirements to declare the Major

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Students wishing to major in the Department of Genetics must have been enrolled at Rutgers for at least one semester.

In addition, students must:

  1. Be an SAS student
  2. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00, and a GPA of at least 2.8 at the time of taking research for credit.
  3. Have earned a C or better in these courses (or equivalents):
    1. General Biology (119:115-116)
    2. General Biology Lab (119:117)
    3. General Chemistry (either 160:161-162 or 160:163-164)
    4. Mathematics (either 640:135-138 or 640:151-152, or 640:135 and 960:401 [Stats], or 640:151 and 960:401 [Stats])
  4. Students with an overall GPA < 3.0 must meet with the UGD before declaring the major.
    1. Genetics is a credit-intensive major and has a requirement of a 2.80 GPA at the time of taking research for credit
    2. Students entering the major with a GPA of < 3.0 may struggle to complete the major on time
  5. Watch the Genetics Major Declaration Video (see to declare the major section below).

A grade of "C" or better in courses credited toward the major is required for graduation, and each course may be repeated only once to replace D/F grades.

To declare the Major:

Genetics Major Declaration Video: Watching our Major Declaration Video is also a prerequisite for the major (link obtained from Vice Chair). The meeting covers the requirements and expectations of a Genetics Major. All students are required to watch this video before being approved for the major.

  1. Email the Vice Chair (Dr. Gary Heiman ) to let us know you want to declare Genetics as your major. He will send you a link to the Declaration video with instructions to record that you completed this prerequisite.
  2. Watch the Declaration video (link obtained from Vice Chair).
  3. SAS students should also electronically apply through SAS MyMajor system at: https://secure.sas.rutgers.edu/apps/mymajor/.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  1. Email communications. All email communication with students must be through your Rutgers email address. No alternate email addresses may be used.
  2. Advising. Advisors are assigned based on student last name and graduation year. For a list of advisors, click HERE.

Requirements for the Major

A. Life Science Core Courses (Required: 4 courses)

See Genetics Curriculum Worksheet for approved course numbers. Approved AP and Transfer credits may be substituted.

  • Organic Chemistry: Organic Chemistry I (01:160:307 or 01:160:315). **See important note below regarding Organic Chemistry II + lab.
  • Intro to Experimentation (01:160:171)
  • General Physics I and Lab I (01:750:203 + 205 [lab] or 01:750: 271 + 275 [lab] or 01:750:193 or 01:750 201
  • General Physics II and Labs II (01:750:204 + 206 [lab] or 01:750:272 + 276 [lab] or 01:750:194 or 01:750:202

B. Genetics Core Courses (Required: 5 courses)

All must be completed at Rutgers.

C. Independent Scholarship (minimum 2 courses) taken with a single Rutgers University faculty advisor over at least two semesters (except for the Genetic Counseling Rotation, which is performed under more than one advisor)

All must be completed at Rutgers.

  • C.1. Research courses:
    • Research in Genetics (447:406-407)
    • Honors in Genetics (447:408-409)
    • Research in Genetics - Writing intensive (447:410)
  • C.2. Other courses:  
    • Genetic Counseling Rotation (447:488- reserved for Genetic Counseling Certificate Students)
    • Advanced Independent Study in Genetics (447:489-490)

D. Genetics Electives minimum 3 Genetics (447) courses

All must be completed at Rutgers

E. Additional courses from Genetics Electives, Independent Scholarship, or Lab courses (minimum2 courses)

 All must be completed at Rutgers.

Important notes for the major

  • More information about the major. See the Student Handbook for examples of pathways through the Genetics Major.
  • Major and Minor restrictions. Please note that students may not major in more than one of the four programs of study offered by the Division of Life Sciences. In addition, students may not declare a major in both Genetics and Biotechnology (SEBS), or Genetics and Microbiology (SEBS). See the the Major/Minor Restrictions webpage for prohibited major/minor combinations. Please contact the Vice-Chair if you have any questions about a second major.
  • Organic Chemistry II + lab. If you plan to pursue a graduate degree in which a full year of organic chemistry (plus lab) is suggested/required (e.g., medical or dental school), we strongly recommend taking the combined Organic Chemistry II + lab as an elective (6 credits).
  • Optional 1.5 Credit Course. Career Explorations in Arts and Sciences 01:960:210 Section 6, Medicine Bio, and Health. Learn about the ways that SAS majors build relevant skills for many jobs and have fun working with others to explore options. 
  • Honors College (HC) students. The two-semester Research in Genetics sequence (e.g., 447:406–407) and Honors Thesis courses (01:447:408-409) satisfy the HC Capstone experience requirement. Completing this sequence qualifies you to graduate from the Honors College as a "Scholar with Distinction." Please consult your HC advisor to ensure this requirement is properly documented.