Undergraduates
The Genomics Institute at UC Santa Cruz provides a rich and immersive learning environment for students pursuing genomic studies. Our researchers are among the most highly cited in the world, and our location near Silicon Valley allows for strong collaborations with Bay Area biotech for a rigorous and hands-on learning experience.
Research & Training Opportunities
RMI
Students who participate in the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute Research Mentoring Internship (RMI) program can expect to gain a realistic picture of academic research careers based on actual experience in these roles. RMI exposes undergraduate students to the nature and rigors of a research environment under the close supervision of faculty mentoring.
TUBI
The UC Santa Cruz Treehouse Undergraduate Bioinformatics Immersion (TUBI) is a pediatric genomics research group for undergraduate students, run out of the Vaske lab as part of the Treehouse Childhood Cancer Initiative. TUBI researchers work on bioinformatics projects related to finding novel drug targets for pediatric cancer patients.
Bioinformatics Summer Bridge
This course is offered to incoming frosh and transfer students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them gain essential data science and coding skills prior to entering coursework. For more information, please email genomics.diversity@ucsc.edu
Science and Justice
The Science & Justice Research Center at UC Santa Cruz offers a wide range of courses across UCSC’s many disciplines with faculty whose research questions the relationships between science, society and justice. UCSC allows strong academic performing students to supplement their experience by working directly with a faculty member under Individual Studies and Majors.
Study Genomics at UC Santa Cruz
Pick a major
Common majors for students interested in genomics include:
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Take a course
There are a number of courses that you can take that are specific to genomics science, most of which you can locate by searching the course listings for Biomolecular Engineering. Genomics-related courses outside of BME include Genomics and Society (SOCY 121G), Principles of Human Genetics (BIOL 118), and Translational pediatric genomics (BIOL 280V)
We also offer a bioinformatics summer shortcourse for new students!
Join a group:
There are a number of clubs and student groups on campus that discuss topics and projects related to genomics, and can help you network!
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Get Involved in research:
Look for openings in the labs of Genomics Institute affiliated faculty, or apply to one of the programs at the top of this page!
Browser Educational Models for Undergraduates
The UCSC Genome Browser is our most widely used genomics tool. Tens of thousands of researchers access it each year to view all 23 chromosomes of the human genome, down to its individual nucleotides. It also provides access to the genomes of more than one hundred other organisms.
Our education module is designed to assist teachers and students in understanding selected topics in Molecular Biology, Genetics, Medicine, Population Biology and Evolution.
Using the Genome Browser as a display device, the new module is organized as short stories written by undergraduates for undergraduates.
Resources for Prospective and Current Students
The Genomics Institute is currently housed under the Jack Baskin School of Engineering, which facilitates the undergraduate and graduate curricula for bioinformatics and biomolecular engineering.
Prospective applicants should visit UC Santa Cruz Admissions for information concerning the application process and academic resources to help them meet the entrance requirements.
Current students looking for help with engineering major requirements or selecting genomics-related courses should contact Baskin Engineering’s Undergraduate Advising team.