Pushing the boundaries of genomic technology development, MCB faculty study the organization of genes into genomes and how these systems evolve, ranging from classic genetic and developmental models all the way to complex human diseases.
Area Directors
Area Directors help advise students about classes and rotations in their interest area. They also provide a listing of suggested courses for those interested in Genetics, Genomics & Evolution.
Faculty Area Directors
- Michael Ailion, UW, Biochemistry Department (mailion@uw.edu)
- John Ray, Benaroya Research Institute (jray@benaroyaresearch.org)
Student Area Directors
- Sophie Kogut, Blanco-Melo Lab (skogut@uw.edu)
- Alexander Robertson, Feder Lab (alexrob@uw.edu)
Suggested Curriculum
The suggested curriculum outlined below is meant to guide you in choosing classes. We highly encourage you to take the Foundational courses, while the Electives are more specialized and often cross between Areas of Interest. Remember to review the UW Time Schedule for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding whether a course is currently being offered.
MCB students must take a total of 18 graded credits before taking their General Exam. They must be 500-level courses listed in the Area of Interest offerings. Students may petition the MCB co-directors (mcb@uw.edu) to receive credit for courses not listed, or lower-level courses. The suggested curriculum is also available as a document download.
Foundational Courses
Advanced Genetic Analysis
Explores genetic analysis as a powerful approach for dissecting complex biological processes. Discusses methods for selectively removing, adding, or altering specific proteins, to identify and order genes in a pathway, define protein function, determine tissue and temporal requirements for gene function, and distinguish among competing hypotheses to explain biological phenomena.
Prerequisite: GENOME 371, GENOME 551 or equivalent.
Capacity Limit: 20 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Quarter and frequency offered: Spring (SPR)
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 1.5
Last offering: SPR 2026
Next offering: Information not available
Molecular Population Genetics and Evolution
Surveys recent literature to gain an understanding of the basic principles of molecular population genetics and evolution as applied to analysis of genome data. Requires some computer analysis of genome data.
Capacity Limit: 20 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis and fill up fast.
Quarter and frequency offered: Winter (WIN)
Weeks: 1-5
Credits: 1.5
Last offering: WIN 2026
Next offering: Information not available
Tools for Computational Biology
Introduction to established best practices in computational biology. Learn to organize unstructured data into standard formats, transform data for statistical analyses, and visualize the transformed data. Learn workflows for reproducible research such as version control, project organization, and code documentation. Gain basic experience with Linux command line tools and the Python and R programming languages. Classes will involve hands-on learning through coding exercises, collaborative problem solving, and extensive use of online learning resources.
Instructions: Contact graduateeducation@fredhutch.org for add code.
Quarter and frequency offered: Autumn (AUT), every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 3.0
Last offering: AUT 2025
Next offering: AUT 2026
Elective Courses
Epigenetics and Epigenomics
Mechanisms of cellular memory mediated through nucleosomes, DNA-binding proteins, DNA and histone covalent modifications, and chromatin dynamics.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT, even years
Weeks: 1-5
Credits: 1.5
Next offering: AUT 2026
Mechanism Of Transcriptional Regulation
A five-week graduate survey course concentrating on biochemical mechanisms of gene transcription. The course will cover a broad range of transcriptional regulation including: Mechanisms of transcriptional initiation; Regulation of transcription by chromatin; Transcriptional regulation, development and diseases in mammals.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT, even years
Weeks: 6-10
Credits: 1.5
Next offering: AUT 2026
Microbial Evolution
Selected topics in microbial evolution including evidence for early life on Earth, molecular mechanisms of bacterial and viral evolution, speciation, adaptive niche differentiation, bioinformatics tools to detect selection, and evolution of the virulence and pandemic spread.
Prerequisite: MICROM 412 or general microbiology background.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT/SPR
Weeks: 1-5
Credits: 2.0
Last offering: AUT 2025
Next offering: Information not available
Principles of Gene Regulation
Course covers fundamentals of gene regulation in eukaryotes including principles of cis and trans regulation of gene expression; DNA and RNA binding proteins; role of chromatin structure in gene expression; epigenetic regulatory mechanisms; RNA-based regulatory mechanisms; and post-transcriptional regulation. The course centers on reading and discussion of landmark primary literature in the aforementioned areas.
Capacity Limit: 19 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on first-come, first-served basis.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN
Weeks: 6-10
Credits: 1.5
Last offering: WIN 2026
Next offering: Information not available
Technologies For Genome Analysis
Discussion of current and newly-emerging technologies in genome analysis with regard to applications in biology and medicine and to potential advantages and limitations.
Prerequisite: Contact course instructor and state your interest (prior genetics coursework required).
Capacity Limit: 18 – required for the GS first-year students. Remaining slots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Quarter and frequency offered: AUT
Weeks: 6-10
Credits: 1.5
Last offering: AUT 2025
Next offering: Information not available
Introduction To Statistical And Computational Genomics
Rudiments of statistical and computational genomics. Emphasis on basic probability and statistics, introduction to computer programming, and relevant web databases. This course is intended to introduce students with non-computer science backgrounds to the major concepts of programming and statistics.
Prerequisite: Substantial background in molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or related disciplines.
Capacity Limit: 20. Only taken by GS first-year students if they have no prior programming experience.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN, every year
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 3.0
Last offering: WIN 2026
Next offering: WIN 2027
Population Genetics
Mathematical and experimental approaches to the genetics of natural populations, especially as they relate to evolution. Emphasis on theoretical population genetics.
Capacity Limit: 20. Not required for GS students, but popular with Bio students.
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN, odd years
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 4.0
Next offering: WIN 2027
Advanced Human Genetics
The goal of the course is to provide students with knowledge and tools most useful for successful research in human genomics. Components of the course are: gene discovery and molecular function; genomic architecture; cancer genetics; and human diversity and evolution. The course meets winter quarter, with three lectures per week by the instructors and weekly section meetings. Multiple problem sets are based on real data.
Prerequisite: College-level genetics course (GENOME 361 or 371); for genetics courses taken elsewhere, please ask the instructors. The class typically includes about 60 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students.
Capacity Limit: 20
Quarter and frequency offered: WIN
Weeks: 1-10
Credits: 4.0
Next offering: WIN 2027
Bioinformatics Workflows for High-Throughput Sequencing Experiments
Programming skills and software tools for building automated bioinformatics pipelines and computational biology analyses. Emphasis on UNIX tools and R libraries for distilling raw sequencing data into interpretable results. For students familiar with UNIX and with some programming experience in Python, R, or C/C++.
Capacity Limit: 15. Not required of GS students but gets considerable interest.
Quarter and frequency offered: SPR, every year
Weeks: 1-5
Credits: 1.5
Last offering: SPR 2026
Next offering: SPR 2027
Spotlight
Translating genomes
From understanding the genetic basis of familial breast cancer risk to understanding the genetic conflicts between host and pathogen genomes, MCB Seattle faculty push the boundaries of understanding all aspects of genome biology. The University of Washington ranks #7 in Molecular Biology and Genetics graduate studies according to US News and World Report.