Overview of the Certificate Program
Certificate Admissions Requirements
Certificate Application Procedures

Overview of the Certificate in Genetic Epidemiology

July 5 through end of August each summer

The Certificate can be earned after successful completion of four intensive courses plus computer labs of the M.S. degree program, taken over one or two consecutive summers. The Certificate program is a concentrated summer semester program designed to serve research and medical employees, first-year medical students, and others who want to learn the fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology and SAS.

For course descriptions see "Curriculum"

Grading
Letter Grades A – Superior, B – Good, C-Fair.
Plus or minus marks may be added to a letter grade.
GPA of 3.0 is required to pass.

Standard Duration
The required courses may be taken over one or two summer semesters.

Orientation and Workshops
Candidates must participate in the July orientation (July 5) and workshops:
Computing/Unix on July 6 and 9 in 2007,
Math/Statistics July 10-12 in 2007.

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Admissions Requirements for the GEMS Certificate

· Successful attainment of the Certificate requires completion of these four core courses plus related labs, a total of 11 credit hours, with a minimum of a "B" average. All courses are offered only in summer semesters from early July to the end of August.
            M21-503     Statistical Computing with SAS
            M21-505     Biostatistics for Research Workers (prerequisite M21-503)
            M21-505A  Biostatistics for Research Workers - Computer Lab             
            M21-515     Fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology            
            M21-515A  Fundamentals of Genetic Epidemiology Computer Lab           
            M21-550     Introduction to Bioinformatics (prerequisite M21-505)           
            M21-550A   Introduction to Bioinformatics Computer Lab

· Certificate candidates should plan to complete the academic work within two summers at most.

· The candidate will be assigned a faculty advisor from the Division of Biostatistics..

· If you are aa Washington University employee, your supervisor must be informed of your interest in the program in advance and approve your participation----before you apply.

· International candidates must have excellent English skills.

· Contact the GEMS Program Administrator (telephone at (314) 362-1052) for questions relating to eligibility and any other concerns you may have.

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The application may be downloaded here or obtained by writing to the Program Administrator.
Your application for admission to the GEMS Training Program should consist of the following:

1. The completed application packet which includes:

• The application form itself,
• Complete academic information of all higher level education and training,
• Your curriculum vita,
• A summary of your background in the three academic areas, as noted on the application form: biology/genetics, math/statistics, computer programming),
• Your statement of professional goals,
• A $25.00 non-refundable processing fee (check or money-order only, made payable to “Washington University”

2. Postmark or deliver your application by the deadline for entry in the summer semester to:
       GEMS Program Administrator
       Washington University School of Medicine
       Division of Biostatistics, Campus Box 8067
       660 S. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63110

       or deliver to 706 South Euclid, Room 3312, Shriner's (corner of Clayton and Euclid)..

3. Timeline. The Program Executive and Admissions Committee will review applications after the announced deadline. Certificate candidates must participate in the GEMS orientation and two workshops (statistics and computing/unix) prior to taking the first course in the Certificate program.  Applicants may be interviewed--in person or by telephone--when necessary. A written notification of the decision of the committee will be provided to the applicant as soon as possible after the deadline.

The applicant will then have thirty (30) days to either accept or decline in writing any offer of admission in order to hold his/her place in the first year class. Should the applicant accept the offer, a letter of acceptance with a $100.00 deposit will hold their place until formal registration takes place. Registration must be completed with the Program Administrator before classes begin. The $100.00 deposit will be credited to the student's account after the start of classes or may be applied toward the fall tuition payment)

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