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 (TOI-6L) | 4 |
| ENGL 1007 or ENGL 1010 or ENGL 1011 | 4 |
| MATH 1060Q or higher (MATH 1131Q) | 3-4 |
| TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| UNIV 1800 or 1810 – First Year Experience course | 1 |
| Total Credits: 15-16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 1125Q or CHEM 1128Q – General Chemistry II | 3-4 |
| BIOL 1107 – General Biology I | 4 |
| TOI/Gen Ed | 3 |
| CAHNR TOI (PATH 1100E recommended) | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16-17 | |
Second Year
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| +CHEM 2241 or (CHEM 2443 & CHEM 2444)** | 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 |
| W course requirement^ | 3 |
| CAHNR TOI | 3 |
| Total Credits: 16 | |
Third Year
Admission into the DGS program for junior/senior year requires separate application.
Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| AH 2001 – Medical Terminology | 2 |
| DGS 3060 – Healthcare Genetics and Genomics | 3 |
| PATH 3401 – Immunobiology | 3 |
| DGS Related Cognate | 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 |
| AH 3021 – Environment, Genetics and Cancer | 3 |
| DGS 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 |
| DGS Related Cognate (Recommended: MCB 2000) | 4 |
| Related cognate | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 3 |
| ELECTIVE | 2 |
| 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. Courses on P/F cannot be used to satisfy general education, CAHNR TOI’s, DGS major, and the related cognate courses requirement.
&This plan of study is a sample. Actual plans of study are subject to change based on advising and student goals.
#This plan assumes the foreign language requirement is completed prior to admission to the University.
##Courses listed in Year 1 and Year 2 need not be taken in the semester indicated; however, it is strongly recommended that all prerequisites and common curriculum requirements are completed prior to Year 3 and 4 must be taken in the semester indicated.
*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 Year 3 if necessary. A meeting with the DGS Program Director is highly recommended to discuss courses.
Please consult with your academic advisor prior to registering for Q courses.
**Chemistry sequence: The required chemistry sequence depends on career goals and graduate program requirements; students should consult their advisor to choose the appropriate 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.