该计划的广度，研究生学习的灵活性以及对遗传学和医学发展重要性的日益认识，使该计划成为希望从事基础研究和临床研究相结合的医学博士/博士生的理想选择。测序，基于数组的数据获取技术以及新的生物信息学工具正在彻底改变遗传学的研究。许多实验室使用这些尖端工具来研究遗传序列和变异如何构成基本细胞和发育过程以及遗传疾病的基础。
The program of study leading to the PhD degree emphasizes a broad approach to the fundamental principles of genetics, development and molecular biology combined with extensive research training. The program is designed to permit close interaction between graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty, while also encouraging full participation in the larger community of biological scientists at Yale. The PhD program in Genetics is designed to provide the student with a broad background in general genetics and the opportunity to conduct original research in a specific area of genetics. The Genetics student is expected to acquire a broad understanding of genetics, spanning knowledge of at least three basic areas of genetics, which include molecular, cellular, organismal, and population genetics. Normally this requirement is accomplished through the satisfactory completion of formal courses, many of which cover more than one of these areas. Students are required to pass at least six graduate level courses. The breadth of the Program, the flexible nature of its graduate studies, and the increasing recognition of the importance of genetics and development in medicine make this Program ideal for MD/PhD students who wish to pursue a career combining basic and clinical research.