School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program
Program Faculty
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
36 hours minimum
The Master of Science in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCBM) is offered jointly by the Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Molecular and Cell Biology. This program will combine coursework from the disciplines of biology, computer science, and mathematics. The BCBM program seeks to answer the demand for a new breed of scientist who has 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.
Faculty from both Mathematical Sciences (MMS) and Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) will participate in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program, with the Mathematical Sciences Department serving as the administrative unit. Both departments will participate in advising students.
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 semester of organic chemistry, two semesters of general physics, programming in C/C++, and two semesters of biology.
Requirements for completing a degree in BCBM are:
Core Courses
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
MATH 6313 Numerical Analysis
MATH 6343 Computational Biology
MATH 6345 Mathematical Methods in Medicine and Biology
Additional Core Courses for the Bioinformatics Track
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. 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.