At the heart of every college and every program is its curriculum, which is the set of courses it offers and recommends to its students. These courses are carefully planned and tailored to meet specific educational objectives. For a particular major, such as bioinformatics, these objectives include obtaining skills to survive in the marketplace as well as instilling a sense of wonder and awe for the incredible complexity of biology and the marvelous machines we call computers. Social and ethical implications of bioinformatics are an important component of our bioinformatics courses. The college as a whole has other educational objectives which are partly met through the "core curriculum" courses. These include fostering appreciation for our heritage, tolerance of diverse peoples and cultures, learning how to learn in the future, and practicing reading and writing skills, among many others.
General Information
Information provided in these Web pages is for your convenience and is not meant to be the final authority. The college catalog is the final authority on all matters dealing with curriculum, grades, and tuition. A printed paper copy of the catalog is available for free from the Registrar's office and is available on-line by clicking here (link to catalog).
The focus in these web pages is on the Bioinformatics curriculum at Canisius College. Currently, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics degree.
While you may be able to find answers to many of your questions in these web pages or in the college catalog, we invite you to stop by and converse with us in person. To make an appointment, call (716) 888-2433 or send email to burhans@canisius.edu. We would be happy to chat with you and provide you with advice and suggestions.
From time to time, changes are made in the curriculum of any major. While most of these are minor, a few are major and represent a growth process whereby the department keeps up with trends in the field and other educational institutions. The Computer Science Department at Canisius College has always strived to provide top quality and up to date courses, emphasizing topics and skills that are currently needed by industry.
If you have attended another college before coming to Canisius, you are considered a transfer student and should consult with Dr. Burhans, director of the program, for an evaluation of your transcript and an outline of what courses you still need to take. Generally, you are governed by the curriculum and regulations of the catalog that is in effect during the semester you enter Canisius, regardless of whether you were a sophomore, junior, or senior at your other college. You may still receive credit for many of the classes you took at your former college, but you will have to satisfy the requirements that are in effect at Canisius during the semester you enter. This applies both to the specific Bioinformatics curriculum as well as the general core curriculum of the college.
Finally, we would like to emphasize that we are here to help and guide you as you plan your career at Canisius College. We are here to help enable you to meet your educational objectives. Give us a call or send email, and better yet, set up an appointment to see us in person. Call (716) 888-2433 or send email to burhans@canisius.edu.