Program Overview

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers a range of graduate programs, including the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program

Program Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Professors: Larry P. Ammann, Matthew J. Goeckner, M. Ali Hooshyar, Wieslaw Krawcewicz, Susan E. Minkoff, Robert Serfling, Janos Turi, John Zweck
• Associate Professor: Yan Cao
• Assistant Professors: Swati Biswas, Min Chen
• Affiliated Faculty: Zhenyu Xuan, Hyuntae Yoo, Michael Qiwei Zhang

Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

The Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCBM) is a 36-hour minimum program offered jointly by the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Molecular and Cell Biology. This program combines coursework from the disciplines of biology, computer science, and mathematics.

Program Description

The BCBM program seeks to answer the demand for a new breed of scientist who has a fundamental understanding in the fields of biology, mathematics, statistics, and computer science. With this interdisciplinary training, these scientists will be well-prepared to meet the demand and challenges that have arisen and will continue to develop in the biotechnology arena.

Program Requirements

For the Master's degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, beginning students are expected to have completed:

• Multivariate calculus
• Linear algebra
• Two semesters of general chemistry
• Two semesters of organic chemistry
• Two semesters of general physics
• Programming in C/C++
• Two semesters of biology

Core Courses

The core courses for the program include:

• BIOL 5410 Biochemistry
• BIOL 5420 Molecular Biology
• BIOL 5381 Genomics
• STAT 5351 Probability and Statistics I
• STAT 5352 Probability and Statistics II
• MATH 6341 Bioinformatics

Additional Core Courses for the Computational Biology Track

The additional core courses for the Computational Biology Track include:

• MATH 6313 Numerical Analysis
• MATH 6343 Computational Biology
• MATH 6345 Mathematical Methods in Medicine and Biology

Additional Core Courses for the Bioinformatics Track

The additional core courses for the Bioinformatics Track include:

• CS 5333 Discrete Structures
• CS 5343 Algorithms Analysis & Data Structures
• CS 6360 Database Design

Elective Courses

A minimum of 7 semester credit hours of electives, approved by the student's advisor, are required. Typically, electives are 6000- and 7000- level courses in mathematical sciences, biology, or computer science. Courses from other disciplines may also be used upon approval.