Academics

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Learn to solve some of biology's biggest problems where science meets coding with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program. The science of BCBio focuses on a variety of topics:

Gene identification - tracking them down and figuring out how they work and evolve
RNA, protein, and genome structure - understanding how they are built is the first step to advancements in this science
Molecular and cellular systems and networks - mapping out these systems and functionalities

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.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Degree Requirements (PDF)

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Academic Plan (PDF)

Major in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

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.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCBIO) Course Catalog

Core Couse Requirements

Course Number	Course Name	Term Offered
BCBio 1100 or GEN 1100	Orientation	F.
BCBio 3220	Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology	F.
BCBio 4010	Bioinformatics of Sequences	F.
BCBio 4060	Bioinformatics of OMICS	Fall
BCBio 4900 (or BCBio 4910)	Independent Study	F.S.SS.
BCBio 4910 (or BCBio 4900)	Team Research Projects	F.S.SS.
Biol 3130 & 3130L Cross-listed with Gen 3130 & 3130L	Principles of Genetics & Genetics Laboratory	F.S.SS. F.S.
Com S 2270 & 2280**	Introduction to Object-orientated Programming & Introduction to Data Structures	F.S.
Com S 3110	Design and Analysis of Algorithms	F.S.
Com S 3300 (or Cpr E 310 Theoretical Foundations of Comp Engrg)	Discrete Computational Structures	F.S.
Math 1650 & 1660**	Calculus I & II	F.S.SS

Complementary Course Requirements

Course Number	Course Name	Term Offered
Biol 2110 & 2110L	Principles of Biology I and Laboratory	F.S.
Biol 2120 & 2120L	Principles of Biology II and Laboratory	F.S.
Biol 3140 or Biol 3150. Biol Evolution or Gen 409. Mol Genetics	Principles of Molecular Cell Biology	F.S.
Chem 1630 & 1630L College Chemistry/L or Chem 1770, 1770L Gen Chem I/Lab & 1780 Gen Chem II or Chem 2010 & 2010L Adv Gen Chem/Lab	College Chemistry and Laboratory of College Chemistry	F.S.SS
Chem 2310 & 2310L Elem Organic Chem/Lab or Chem 3310, 3310L Organic Chem I/Lab and Chem 3320, 3320L Organic Chem II/Lab	Elementary Organic Chemistry and Laboratory	F.S.SS
Phys 1310 & L General Physics or Phys 2210 & L Intro to Classical Physics 1 or Phys 1150 & 1150L Physics for the Life Sciences/Lab	General Physics	F.S.SS
Stat 3300***	Probability and Statistics for Computer Science	F.S.
Stat 4830***	Empirical Methods for the Computational Sciences	F

Bioinformatics Support Electives

Minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

A student can add a Minor in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology that requires 28 credits. 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 2110, 2120, Gen 3130, Com S 2270 and 2280 (COM S 1270 and MATH 1430 or higher are a pre-reqs for 2270), Stat 3300* BCBio 3220, 4010, 4060

*The following other Stat courses may be substituted for Stat 3300, with permission of the BCBio Major: Stat 3300: Stat 1010, 1040, 1050, 2010, 2310, 3050, or 3410