Prof. Nicole Snyder adds liquid to a small tube with a dropper while lab assistant, Joeyelle Newton observes

Genomics

Genomics at Davidson

Genomics is the study of all the genes in an organism and how these genes work together to produce an organism and all its functions.

It is an umbrella term that encompasses many subdisciplines including bioinformatics, proteomics, glycomics, metabolomics, systems biology and synthetic biology. Genomics is a suite of methods and a perspective that will permeate all areas of medicine and biology for the next century.

The James G. Martin Genomics Program at Davidson introduces students to an interdisciplinary field that uses biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering. No one person can excel in all these areas, but we encourage students to be cross-trained in more than one area. You can incorporate genomics courses into any major or concentration to fulfill graduation requirements. Students majoring in a wide variety of areas such as English, economics, political science, physics, chemistry, or math have all thrived in the context of a liberal arts education with an emphasis on student-centered learning.

Genomics students get to pursue their diverse interests and are well prepared for success after Davidson.

Professor El Bejjani and two students work with equipment in lab

Genomics students blend math and biology as part of interdisciplinary teams consisting of students from a variety of majors. Research projects can range from mostly math and computer science to mostly bench research. Students model biological systems and build bioinformatics tools that can improve the efficiency of bench work.

Prof. Malcolm Campbell and student examine a test tube together in a lab
Collaboration & Critique

Sharing ideas and critiquing each other's work is common when faculty and students conduct research. Students work side-by-side with faculty on projects where no one knows the "right" solution. Students quickly get up to speed and become colleagues with the faculty where they work as peers. Students and faculty learn together and teach each other.

Three students in genomics class sit in computer lab and point at a desktop screen while discussing

Genome annotation, new bioinformatics tools, DNA analysis and engineering new genetic circuits build computational skills through genomics courses and research. The future of biology is "big data" and students can learn how to parse data using python scripts they learn in bioinformatics class. Course work and research go hand in hand in the genomics interdisciplinary minor.