EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. This proposal is a competitive renewal of a successful and established predoctoral training program whose objective is to broadly train high qualityresearch scientists in basic genetic approaches to the study of biology at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and population level. Funds are requested to support 15 trainees for 1-3 years each. Students enter the training program upon admission to the Departmentof Genetics based on merit and potential for success in scientific careers. Students are rigorously trained in cutting-edge genetic and biochemical research and data analysis through laboratory research, classes, and attendance at seminars. In addition, they gain written and oral communication skills through preliminaryand qualifying examinations; presentations at lab meetings, seminars, and journal clubs; attendance at national and internationalmeetings; and preparation of manuscripts for publication. Students obtain teaching experience through a requirement to serve as leaching assistants in undergraduate introductory genetics or evolutionary biolo.gy for at least one semester in their second or third year. During their first year, students participate in lecture courses in either a molecular or a population and evolutionary genetics track, and they complete 3-4 laboratory research rotations. They then begin dissertation research and in years 2-5 enroll in seminars, advanced electives and special topics courses. To insure that students complete degree requirements in a timely manner, progress is monitored twice yearly by the Graduate Affairs Committee and students' dissertation committees. Written and oral examinationsand major courses must be completed by the end of the fifth semester, and students meet at least once annuidly with their dissertation committees. A major strength of the program is the interdisciplinarytraining students receive in molecular, population and evolutionary genetics from 29 training faculty representing a wide range of genetic disciplines. Students in each curriculum track take at least one major course in the other track. In addition, attendance is expected at two specialized annual symposia organized by the Department of Genetics, the Georgia Genetics Symposium and the Winter Evolutionary Biology Symposium. Graduates from this training program over the past 28 years have been highly successful in careers in academia, government, and industry. The training program is dynamic and will continue to produce broadly trained leaders in genetics as it embraces the exciting genetic developments of the 21st century. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================
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