Diagnostic Genetic Sciences
Sample Course Sequence&#
UConn Graduation Requirements – including major and Common Curriculum requirements – can be found at UConn’s Undergraduate Catalog.
Students normally average 15 credits per semester over a 4-year period (fall/spring only) to meet the 120 academic credits required.
First Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1124Q or CHEM 1127Q – General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ##ENGL 1007 or ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1011 | 4 |
| ##MATH 1060Q or MATH 1131Q (or above) | 3-4 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| UNIV 1800 – First Year Experience course (not required, but strongly recommended) | 1 |
| Total Credits: 15-16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1125Q or CHEM 1128Q – General Chemistry II | 4 |
| BIOL 1107 – General Biology I | 4 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16 | |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| +CHEM 2241 or CHEM 2443 – Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| STAT 1000Q or STAT 1100Q – Statistics | 4 |
| MCB 2400 – Human Genetics or MCB 2410 – Genetics | 3 |
| *## Elective (Recommended: CHEM 2242, if taking CHEM 2241) | 1-3 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| Total Credits: 14-16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| +MCB 2610 – Fundamentals of Microbiology | 4 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| *##TOI/Gen Ed (W requirement) | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16 | |
Third Year
Admission into the junior/senior year requires separate application.
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| AH 2001 – Medical Terminology | 2 |
| AH 3021 – Environment, Genetics, and Cancer | 3 |
| AH 3121 OR MCB 4211 – Immunology | 3 |
| DGS 3100 – Cytogenetic Technologies | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credits: 14 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DGS 4234W – Diagnostic Molecular Technologies | 3 |
| DGS 4235 – Laboratory in Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
| MLSC 4500 – Laboratory Operations | 2 |
| Related cognate | 3 |
| Related cognate | 3 |
| Total Credits: 13 | |
Fourth Year
Fall
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| AH 4241 – Research for the Health Professional | 2 |
| DGS 4236 – Case Studies in Molecular Pathology | 1 |
| Related cognate | 3 |
| Related cognate | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
| Total Credits: 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| DGS 4402 – Specimen Preparation, Nucleic Acid Isolation | 4 |
| DGS 4503 – Amplification Methods | 6 |
| DGS 4604 – Sequencing and Analysis | 3 |
| DGS 4850 – Investigative Topics or DGS 4997 – Honors Research | 1-3 |
| One of the following elective courses: | 2 |
| DGS 4510 – In Situ Hybridization Methods | |
| DGS 4512 – Cloning Techniques | |
| DGS 4513 – Blotting Techniques | |
| DGS 4515 – Molecular Applications in Microbiology | |
| Total Credits: 16-18 | |
Total credits depend on electives selected; a minimum of 120 credits are required for graduation.
&This plan of study is a sample. Actual plans of study are subject to change based on advising and student goals.
#This plan assumed the foreign language requirement is completed prior to admission to the University. If a language is required, students may elect to take these courses as electives.
##These courses need not be taken in the semester indicated; however, it is strongly recommended that they be completed prior to the junior year.
*W course requirement: Students are required to take two “W” skill coded courses. DGS 4234W satisfies the “W” in the major. Students MUST take the second “W” as a TOI/Gen Ed or as an elective.
+These courses may be taken in the junior year if necessary. Please consult with your academic advisor prior to registering for Q courses.
Students can elect to enroll in Summer/Winter sessions. Course options can be found at the Summer Session and Winter Session sites.
Students interested in Education Abroad should discuss options (semester, winter or summer) with major advisor.
All students beginning in Fall 2025 will be taking courses that fall into six Topics of Inquiry (TOIs) and three Competencies, while students who matriculated prior to Fall 2025 will continue to follow the General Education Curriculum. Transfer students will have the option to follow either the TOI requirements or the General Education Curriculum. Please consult with your advisor if you have questions.