INTERDEPARTMENTAL STUDIES IN

Genetics

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Recent developments in gene cloning and sequencing permit extensive analysis of both eukaryote and prokaryote genes at the molecular level and, thereby, encourage integration of molecular, cellular, and organismal genetic research. This program is designed to act as a focus for faculty and students working in various aspects of genetics in the Department of Biological Sciences and also promote interactions with faculty outside that department.

ADMINISTRATION

The Interdepartmental  Program in Genetics is administered under the Department of Biological Sciences. For further information please contact:

Thomas S. Moore, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies

Address: Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Life Sciences Building 202, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA

Telephone: 225/578-1556

FAX: 225/578-7299

E-mail: gradoff@lsu.edu

DEGREE PROGRAM

To utilize the faculty and facilities of the life science departments, students may pursue an M.S. or Ph.D. degree in any of the following participating departments-- Agronomy; Biological Sciences; Environmental Studies; Forestry, Fisheries & Wildlife; Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology; or  Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology --while studying genetics.

ADMISSION

Students entering this program must meet the requirements of both the Graduate School and the department in which they enroll. Undergraduate courses in genetics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry are recommended. Prospective students must register with both the genetics coordinator and the chair of the department in which they plan to receive their degrees.

Each student's advisory committee will have the responsibility of determining if the thesis or dissertation makes a significant contribution to the field of genetics and complies with the requirements of the Graduate School and the department granting the degree.

GRADUATE FACULTY

Sue G. Bartlett, Department of Biological Sciences Chloroplast protein biogenesis, synthesis, and transport

John R. Battista, Department of Biological Sciences     Molecular biology; mechanisms of mutagenesis in Deinococcus radiodurans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mark A. Batzer, Department of Biological Sciences     Comparative genomics and molecular genetics; mobile element biology, computational biology, human genome organization, human population genetics

Patrick J. DiMario, Department of Biological Sciences  Interactions of nucleolar proteins involved in RNA and ribosome processing and assembly

David Donze, Department of Biological Sciences     Chromatin structure and gene expression

David W. Foltz, Department of Biological Sciences Population genetics

Michael E. Hellberg, Department of Biological Sciences     Marine invertebrate evolution and systematics

Manjit S. Kang, Department of Agronomy     Corn and sorghum genetics and breeding

Konstantin G. Kousoula, Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology Molecular biology of herpes viruses by general and site-specific mutagenesis

John C. Larkin, Department of Biological Sciences      Molecular genetics, plant developmental biology

William R. Lee, Department of Biological Sciences     Genetics and mutagenesis

Norimoto Murai, Department of Plant Pathology & Crop Physiology     Expression of seed storage protein genes during development

Michael Stine, School of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries     Molecular genetics in forest tree breeding and wildlife management

Vincent Wilson, Department of Environmental Studies     Toxicology of environmental pollutants

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Teaching Assistantships and Board of Regents’ Fellowships are available from the Department. Research Assistantships are available from grant support to individual faculty members. All awards are competitive. Assistantships provide annual stipends which depend on the department in which you are enrolled, and include a waiver of out-of-state tuition. Outstanding Ph.D. applicants can apply for Board of Regents’ Fellowships. These research fellowships may be renewed for up to four years, with renewal subject to annual review. Fellowships carry no teaching responsibilities, include complete tuition waiver and a $18,000 base annual stipend. To be considered for support for fall matriculation, applications must be received by the end of the year preceding the year of admission.