Full-Time Faculty: Debra T. Burhans.
Bioinformatics, an interdisciplinary science that involves both practical and conceptual tools for the understanding, generation, processing and propagation of biological information, was born with the Human Genome Project. Information technology is becoming the language of biology, and soon every single area of biology, from human genetics through ecology, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, and structural biology, will eventually use bioinformatics. At present, bioinformatics is transforming drug discovery, medical diagnostics, and other biotechnology related areas, e.g. genetic engineering of agricultural plants, as it allows the integration of vast amounts of data from a variety of sources.
Demand for individuals doing bioinformatics, at all levels (B.S.-Ph.D.), is soaring. Our bioinformatics program is career oriented. Students who graduate with a degree in bioinformatics can either enter careers in bioinformatics that require a solid background in biology, mathematics and computer science or can pursue further graduate education in such fields as: bioinformatics, biology (molecular biology, genomics, etc), computer science, or computational biology. The types of positions typically sought at the B.S. level are in the biotechnology industry or academic research.
Program Requirements:
A minimum of 37 courses and 128 credit hour is required for graduation with a bachelor of science degree in Bioinformatics, with the potential of as much as 136 credit hours depending on the Bioinformatics electives chosen. This is foremost an informatics degree with an emphasis in the sciences. The program of study accomplishes this with Major Support courses that provide a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics, and Major Core courses that provide substantial background in computing and Bioinformatics.
Restricted electives give the student an opportunity to engage in advanced study in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics. Actual electives will be chosen based on student interest and consultation with an advisor.
| 1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 |
(4 courses) |
(12) |
2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III,
IV, V, VI, VIII2 |
(12 courses) |
(36) |
| 3. Major course requirements: |
(18 courses) |
|
| A. Support Courses |
(9 courses) |
|
| BIO 101 |
Introduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology |
(5) |
| BIO 102 |
Organismal Biology |
(5) |
| BIO 203 |
Cellular Biochemistry |
(3) |
| CHM 111 - 112 |
General Chemistry |
(10) |
| CHM 227 |
Organic Chemistry I |
(5) |
| MAT 111 |
Calculus I |
(4) |
| MAT 141 |
Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science |
(4) |
| MAT 191 |
Discrete Mathematics |
(4) |
| B. Core Courses |
(10 courses) |
|
| BIF 101 |
Introduction to Bioinformatics |
(3) |
| CSC 111 |
Introduction to Programming |
(4) |
| CSC 212 |
Data Structures |
(4) |
| CSC 312 |
Large Scale Programming |
(4) |
| CSC 310 |
Information Organization and Processing |
(4) |
| BIF 400 |
Bioinformatics Capstone course |
(3) |
Bioinformatics electives: four courses, 3 of which must be at the
300/400 level |
|
(12-20) |
| 4. Free Electives |
(2 courses) |
(6) |
| Total |
(37 courses) |
(128-136) |
Approved Bioinformatics electives
Biology
BIO 304 Genetics
BIO 419 Cell Biology
BIO 450 Molecular Biology
Chemistry
CHM 228 Organic Chemistry II
CHM 236 Physical Chemistry for Health Sciences
CHM 301-302 Classical Physical Chemistry
Computer Science
CSC 325 Computer Graphics
CSC 330 Distributed Computing
CSC 333 Modeling and Simulation
CSC 380 Web Development
CSC 395 Software Engineering
Mathematics
MAT 112 Calculus II
MAT 211 Calculus III
MAT 222 Differential Equations
MAT 341 Numerical Analysis
MAT 351-2 Probability and Statistics
MAT 354 Experimental Design and
Statistical Computing
Physics
PHY 201 - 202 General Physics
PHY 223 - 224 General Physics for
Physical Science Majors
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall |
|
Spring |
|
| Freshman Year |
|
|
|
| BIO 101/101L |
5 |
BIO 102/102L |
5 |
| BIF 101 |
5 |
CSC 111 |
4 |
| CHM 111 |
5 |
CHM 112 |
5 |
| ENG 101 |
3 |
ENG 102 |
3 |
| Total |
6 |
Total |
17 |
| Sophomore Year |
|
|
|
| CSC 212 |
4 |
CSC 213 |
4 |
| CHM 227 |
5 |
BIO 203 |
3 |
| RST 101 |
3 |
PHI 101 |
3 |
| MAT 111 |
4 |
MAT 191 |
4 |
|
|
AS |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
Total |
17 |
| Junior Year |
|
|
|
| BIF elective |
3 - 5 |
BIF elective |
5 |
| CSC 310 |
5 |
AS |
1 |
| MAT 141 |
3 |
AS |
3 or 4 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
17 - 19 |
Elective |
3 |
| |
|
Total |
15 - 17 |
| Senior Year |
|
|
|
| BIF elective |
3 - 5 |
BIF elective |
3 - 5 |
| Free elective |
3 |
BIF 400 |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Free elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 - 17 |
| Total |
15 - 17 |
Total |
140-142 |
Courses 2001 - 2003
BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
Overview of Bioinformatics. Includes issues of algorithm development, and introduction to concepts in biocomputing.
BIF 400 Bioinformatics Capstone course 3
A project directed course. Students formulate a problem in Bioinformatics, design and implement a solution, and evaluate the result. Documentation and oral presentation are required.
BIF 499 Bioinformatics Internship 3
A real-world experience in the bioinformatics industry. Application and faculty advisor approval required.