Courses





TRAINING PROGRAM

Description	People	Application	Stipend

GCD COURSES

Course
number Professor Title & description

P8139 Susan E. Hodge, D.Sc. Theoretical Genetic Modeling
The theoretical foundations underlying models and techniques used in mathematical genetics and genetic epidemiology. Topics include (but are not limited to): use and interpretation of likelihood methods; formulation of mathematical models; segregation analysis; ascertainment bias; linkage analysis; genetic heterogeneity; and complex genetic models.
Prerequisites: at least one course in genetics (e.g., P8175) and at least one course in probability (e.g., P6105 or P8104).

P8141 David Greenberg, Ph.D. Genetic Analysis Laboratory
Provides students with a hands-on feel for the problems and vagaries of genetic linkage data. Students use computer simulation to human linkage data under a variety of conditions - varying such parameters as the mode of inheritance, penetrance, gene frequency, and heterogeneity - and then analyze those data using both correct and incorrect assumptions about the true origin of the data. In so doing, students gain an understanding of the variation in the results that occurs due to random factors and also acquire insights into the reliability of results. Topics include basics of linkage analysis, mode of inheritance assumptions, heterogeneity, complex models, ascertainment, multipoint analysis.
Prerequisites: Introduction to biostatistical methods (P6104) & Principles of genetics for biostatisticians (P8175 ).

P8149 Susan E. Hodge, D.Sc.
Prakash Gorroochurn, PhD
Statistical Aspects of Human Population Genetics
Fundamental principles of population genetics, with emphasis on human populations. Genetics drift, natural selection, nonrandom mating, quantitative genetics, linkage analysis, and application of current technology (e.g., SNPs). Students master basic principles of population genetics and are able to model these principles mathematically/statistically.
Prerequisites: at least one course in genetics (e.g., P8175) and at least one course in probability (e.g., P6105 or P8104).

P8175 Principles of Genetics for Biostatisticians
A one-semester course on the fundamentals of genetics necessary to understand statistical methods used in genetics. Methods are based on biological principles shared by many aspects of statistical research in genetics. Students must be familiar with these concepts before taking more advanced courses. Tailored to biostatistics students: focuses on biological phenomena necessary for understanding statistical genetics and demonstrates how principles of genetics are translated from biological phenomena to applied mathematical methodologies.
Prerequisites: Introduction to biostatistical methods (P6104).

P8405 Ruth Ottman, Ph.D. Genetics in epidemiology
Methodologic and substantive aspects of genetics in epidemiology, including an introduction to the biological basis of human heredity, complexities in studying the genetics of human disease, and study designs used to disentangle genetic and nongenetic contributions to disease etiology. Topics include methods for collection of valid family history data, familial aggregation studies, gene-environmental interaction, twin studies, segregation analysis, and linkage analysis. Required readings, weekly homework assignments, and two take-home exams.
Prerequisites: Analysis of categorical data (P8120), Epidemiology II: design and conduct of observational epidemiology (P8438) or their equivalents.

University Seminars
#577
Gary Heiman, Ph.D.
Columbia University seminar in genetic epidemiology
The purpose of this seminar is to bring together researchers in human genetics, epidemiology, and related disciplines, to discuss issues of common interest. Topics focus primarily on genetic and environmental contributions to disease, and gene-environment interaction. Our goal is to use information from both human genetics and epidemiology to arrive at a methodology for understanding the complex etiology of common diseases.

P8163 Martina Durner, M.D. Statistical methods- genetic epidemiology journal club
Course meets once a month to discuss the current literature in statistical methods for genetic epidemiology, providing opportunity and incentive for students, theoreticians and practitioners to keep current with the rapidly-growing literature of this field.

Note: these courses are not necessarily required for every Fellow. In addition, many other courses at Columbia are available to our Fellows. This list simply shows the courses that are specifically associated with the GCD program. For more information, feel free to contact the relevant course instructors.

Course number	Professor	Title & description
P8139	Susan E. Hodge, D.Sc.	Theoretical Genetic Modeling The theoretical foundations underlying models and techniques used in mathematical genetics and genetic epidemiology. Topics include (but are not limited to): use and interpretation of likelihood methods; formulation of mathematical models; segregation analysis; ascertainment bias; linkage analysis; genetic heterogeneity; and complex genetic models. Prerequisites: at least one course in genetics (e.g., P8175) and at least one course in probability (e.g., P6105 or P8104).
P8141	David Greenberg, Ph.D.	Genetic Analysis Laboratory Provides students with a hands-on feel for the problems and vagaries of genetic linkage data. Students use computer simulation to human linkage data under a variety of conditions - varying such parameters as the mode of inheritance, penetrance, gene frequency, and heterogeneity - and then analyze those data using both correct and incorrect assumptions about the true origin of the data. In so doing, students gain an understanding of the variation in the results that occurs due to random factors and also acquire insights into the reliability of results. Topics include basics of linkage analysis, mode of inheritance assumptions, heterogeneity, complex models, ascertainment, multipoint analysis. Prerequisites: Introduction to biostatistical methods (P6104) & Principles of genetics for biostatisticians (P8175 ).
P8149	Susan E. Hodge, D.Sc. Prakash Gorroochurn, PhD	Statistical Aspects of Human Population Genetics Fundamental principles of population genetics, with emphasis on human populations. Genetics drift, natural selection, nonrandom mating, quantitative genetics, linkage analysis, and application of current technology (e.g., SNPs). Students master basic principles of population genetics and are able to model these principles mathematically/statistically. Prerequisites: at least one course in genetics (e.g., P8175) and at least one course in probability (e.g., P6105 or P8104).
P8175		Principles of Genetics for Biostatisticians A one-semester course on the fundamentals of genetics necessary to understand statistical methods used in genetics. Methods are based on biological principles shared by many aspects of statistical research in genetics. Students must be familiar with these concepts before taking more advanced courses. Tailored to biostatistics students: focuses on biological phenomena necessary for understanding statistical genetics and demonstrates how principles of genetics are translated from biological phenomena to applied mathematical methodologies. Prerequisites: Introduction to biostatistical methods (P6104).
P8405	Ruth Ottman, Ph.D.	Genetics in epidemiology Methodologic and substantive aspects of genetics in epidemiology, including an introduction to the biological basis of human heredity, complexities in studying the genetics of human disease, and study designs used to disentangle genetic and nongenetic contributions to disease etiology. Topics include methods for collection of valid family history data, familial aggregation studies, gene-environmental interaction, twin studies, segregation analysis, and linkage analysis. Required readings, weekly homework assignments, and two take-home exams. Prerequisites: Analysis of categorical data (P8120), Epidemiology II: design and conduct of observational epidemiology (P8438) or their equivalents.
University Seminars #577	Gary Heiman, Ph.D.	Columbia University seminar in genetic epidemiology The purpose of this seminar is to bring together researchers in human genetics, epidemiology, and related disciplines, to discuss issues of common interest. Topics focus primarily on genetic and environmental contributions to disease, and gene-environment interaction. Our goal is to use information from both human genetics and epidemiology to arrive at a methodology for understanding the complex etiology of common diseases.
P8163	Martina Durner, M.D.	Statistical methods- genetic epidemiology journal club Course meets once a month to discuss the current literature in statistical methods for genetic epidemiology, providing opportunity and incentive for students, theoreticians and practitioners to keep current with the rapidly-growing literature of this field.