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prrs virus evolution diagram
Research figure of PRRS virus evolving during disease (Dorman).

BCBio Degree Requirements 2022-23 

BCBio 4-Year Plan 2022-2023

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is an interdisciplinary science at the interfaces of the biological, informational and computational sciences. The science focuses on a variety of topics. These include gene identification, expression, and evolution; RNA, protein, and genome structure; and molecular and cellular systems and networks. The large group of participating faculty provides students with a multidimensional perspective on bioinformatics and computational biology and presents them with broad range of possibilities to get involved in research.

This major will prepare students for careers at the interfaces of biological, informational and computational sciences. BCBio graduates with a B.S. seeking direct employment will find ready markets for their talents in agricultural and medical biotechnology industries, as well as in academia, national laboratories, and clinics. Although some students find employment directly after their baccalaureate training, many students will continue their education in one of the many excellent graduate programs in bioinformatics and computational biology that now exist.

Participation in this field requires that students achieve a high level of competence not only in biology, but also in mathematics, computer science, and statistics. As a result, the program includes required courses from many different disciplines. Graduates demonstrate an above-average ability to synthesize methods from these different disciplines to solve problems. 

In addition to basic degree requirements listed in the Curriculum in Liberal Arts and Sciences, BCBio majors must satisfy the following requirements to earn a B.S. in BCBio.

Core Courses. Core coursework provides students with a broad foundation in the biological sciences, mathematics, computer science and statistics.

Course #Course NameTerm Offered
BCBio 110 or GEN 110OrientationF.
BCBio 322Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational BiologyF.
BCBio 401Bioinformatics of SequencesALT Odd F.
BCBio 406Bioinformatics of OMICSALT Even S.
BCBio 490 (or BCBio 491)Independent StudyF.S.SS.
BCBio 491 (or BCBio 490)Team Research ProjectsF.S.SS.
Biol 313 & 313L Cross-listed with Gen 313 & 313LPrinciples of Genetics & Genetics LaboratoryF.S.SS. F.S.
Com S 227 & 228**Introduction to Object-orientated Programming & Introduction to Data StructuresF.S.
Com S 311Design and Analysis of AlgorithmsF.S.
Com S 330 (or Cpr E 310 Theoretical Foundations of Comp Engrg)Discrete Computational StructuresF.S.
Math 165 & 166**Calculus I & IIF.S.SS

**Courses with a double asterisk are required for students in the BCBio major. If a student transfers into the BCBio major and has already taken the Com S 207/208 and/or Math 181/182 series, they can substitute those course options for these Com S and Math requirements. Students still need to request permission of instructors that require Com S 227/228 or Math 165/166 as a prerequisite to enroll in their course/s.

Complementary Course Requirements. Complementary courses are required to complement the core course requirements. What course options a student takes depends largely on their career interests and is best discussed with their faculty adviser.

Course #Course NameTerm Offered
Biol 211 & 211LPrinciples of Biology I and LaboratoryF.S.
Biol 212 & 212LPrinciples of Biology II and LaboratoryF.S.
Biol 314 or Biol 315. Biol Evolution or Gen 409. Mol GeneticsPrinciples of Molecular Cell BiologyF.S.
Chem 163 & 163L College Chemistry/L or Chem 177, 177L Gen Chem I/Lab & 178 Gen Chem II or Chem 201 & 201L Adv Gen Chem/LabCollege Chemistry and Laboratory of College ChemistryF.S.SS
Chem 231 & 231L Elem Organic Chem/Lab or Chem 331, 331L Organic Chem I/Lab and Chem 332, 332L Organic Chem II/LabElementary Organic Chemistry and LaboratoryF.S.SS
Phys 131 & L General Physics or Phys 221 & L Intro to Classical Physics 1 or Phys 115 & 115L Physics for the Life Sciences/LabGeneral PhysicsF.S.SS
Stat 330***Probability and Statistics for Computer ScienceF.S.
Stat 483***Empirical Methods for the Computational SciencesF

***The following other STAT courses may be substituted for STAT 330 and STAT 430, with permission of the BCBio Major. Stat 330: Stat 101, 104, 105, 201, 231, 305, or 341 Stat 430: Stat 301, 401, or 432

Bioinformatics Support Electives for the BCBio Major. Bioinformatics support electives allows students to tailor their degree program to their interests. Choose 3-9 credits from the approved list.


College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Requirements. In addition to the other General Education requirements of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences outlined in the ISU Catalog, communications and English proficiency requirements are met by Engl 150, 250 or 250H, and an additional English writing course chosen from Engl 309 or Engl 314. The lowest grade acceptable in Engl 150, 250 or 250H is C-. The average GPA of all courses in the major must be 2.0 or higher. The major must contain at least 8 credits in ISU courses numbered 300 or above and in which the student's grade is C or higher.

Minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

A student can now add a Minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology that requires 28 credits (effective fall 2015). Most students pursuing a minor in BCBio will be biology, genetics, computer science, computer engineering, statistics, or mathematics students who have already taken some of these courses for their major. Of the 28 credits required for the minor, 9 credits must be used only to fulfill the BCBio minor.

Minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Course Requirements

Biol 211, 212, Gen 313, Com S 227 and 228 (COM S 127 and MATH 143 or higher are a pre-reqs for 227), Stat 330* BCBio 322, 401, 406

*The following other Stat courses may be substituted for Stat 330, with permission of the BCBio Major: Stat 330: Stat 101, 104, 105, 201, 231, 305, or 341