Program Overview

Bioinformatics Master of Science Degree

Overview

The Bioinformatics Master of Science Degree at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) combines biotechnology, computer programming, and computational mathematics to prepare students to utilize and create technologies that discover, treat, and cure a range of medical illnesses.

Why Pursue an MS in Bioinformatics at RIT?

• STEM-OPT Visa Eligible: The STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows full-time, on-campus international students on an F-1 student visa to stay and work in the U.S. for up to three years after graduation.
• Jobs at Industry Leading Companies: Graduates from our bioinformatics program have secured positions at esteemed institutions such as Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Personal Genome Diagnostics, University of Rochester Genomics Research Center, and Asuragen, Inc.
• Educational Enhancement: Our bridge program supplements your existing education, ensuring a seamless transition into the rigorous curriculum of bioinformatics.
• Tailored Learning Experience: Delve into a customized curriculum offering a robust blend of biotech and computer programming, providing you with a solid foundation in both fields.
• Cutting-Edge Research: Engage with faculty actively involved in groundbreaking research spanning molecular evolution, ecological modeling, cancer chromatin, machine learning, genomics, and forensic science.

Careers in Bioinformatics

Graduates of the bioinformatics master’s program have entered laboratories, both in industry and academia, as bioinformaticists. Some have also gone on to leverage their biotechnology experiences as wet lab experimentalists.

Typical Job Titles

• Researcher
• Business Intelligence Developer
• Computational Biologist
• Bioinformatics Software Engineer
• RD Bioinformatics and Laboratory Researcher
• Innovation Consultant
• Associate Software Engineer

Cooperative Education

Co-ops in the College of Science include cooperative education and internship experiences in industry and health care settings, as well as research in an academic, industry, or national lab.

Curriculum

Bioinformatics, MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • BIOL-625: Ethics in Bioinformatics
  • BIOL-630: Bioinformatics Algorithms
  • BIOL-635: Bioinformatics Seminar
  • BIOL-672: Computational Statistics and Data Science Methods
  • BIOL-694: Molecular Modeling and Proteomics
  • BIOL-790: Research and Thesis
  • Graduate Electives
• Second Year
  • BIOL-790: Research and Thesis

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Admit Term(s): Fall or Spring
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• STEM Designated: Yes
• Full-time study: 9+ semester credit hours
• Part-time study: 1-8 semester credit hours

Application Details

• Complete an online graduate application
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, information technology, statistics, or a related discipline
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Entrance exam requirements: GRE required for individuals with degrees from international universities
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method.

Faculty

• Michael Osier: Associate Professor
• Feng Cui: Professor
• Gregory Babbitt: Associate Professor

Research

Faculty in the College of Science receive research grant awards from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, which provide you with unique opportunities to conduct cutting-edge graduate-level thesis research.

Facilities

• Bioinformatics Epicenter
• Greenhouse
• Life Sciences Laboratory Prep Core Facility

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