Full-Time Faculty: Debra T. Burhans.
Bioinformatics is an exciting field that involves the application of techniques from computer science, mathematics, statistics, and information technology to problems in biology. Bioinformatics is a truly interdisciplinary science that teaches students both practical and conceptual tools for the understanding, generation, processing and propagation of biological information. Bioinformatics is important in all areas of biology, from human genetics to ecology, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, and structural biology. At present, bioinformatics is transforming drug discovery, medical diagnostics, and other biotechnology related areas.
This major is academically rigorous, requiring challenging course work in biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and computer science. The major is ideal for students interested in learning about and applying mathematical and computational techniques to problem solving in biology.
Demand for individuals trained in bioinformatics at all levels (B.S.-Ph.D.) is soaring. The bioinformatics program provides an appropriate background for students interested in entering the job market directly after completing a B.S. degree, with positions typically found in the biotechnology industry or academic research. The program also prepares students for further work in graduate school in such fields as bioinformatics, biology (molecular biology, genomics, etc), computer science, and computational biology.
Program Requirements:
A minimum of 37 courses and 128 credit hours is required for graduation with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioinformatics, with the potential for as many as 136 credit hours depending on the bioinformatics electives chosen.
The program of study consists of 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.
Bioinformatics elective courses give the student an opportunity to engage in further study in biology, chemistry, computer science, or mathematics. Electives will be selected based on student interest in consultation with an advisor. The careful selection of electives will ensure that students attain sufficient expertise in a particular area of interest.
The bioinformatics curriculum is compatible with the pre-medical program. In order to minimally fulfill course requirements for medical school admission, students must elect three courses not required for the major: CHM 228 (Organic Chemistry II) and a two-semester physics sequence. These courses fit into the program of study as follows: any one of the three courses may be counted for the lower-division bioinformatics elective course, while the other two will comprise the two free electives. The additional three bioinformatics elective courses in the upper division should be selected from those most appropriate for the pre-medical program.
Bioinformatics Curriculum:
| 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: |
(19 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 |
Introduction to 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, three 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 408 |
|
Biotechnology |
| BIO 419 |
|
Cell Biology |
| BIO 432 |
|
Developmental 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 281 |
|
Automata Theory and Algorithms |
| 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:
| Freshman Year — Fall |
|
|
Freshman Year — Spring |
|
| BIO 101/101L |
5 |
|
BIO 102/102L |
5 |
| BIF 101 |
3 |
|
CSC 111 |
4 |
| CHM 111 |
5 |
|
CHM 112 |
5 |
| ENG 101 |
3 |
|
ENG 102 |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
|
Total |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Sophomore Year — Fall |
|
|
Sophomore Year — Spring |
|
| CSC 212 |
4 |
|
CSC 213 |
4 |
| CHM 227 |
5 |
|
BIO 203 |
3 |
| RST 101 |
3 |
|
PHI 101 |
3 |
| MAT 111 |
4 |
|
MAT 191 |
4 |
| Total |
16 |
|
AS |
3 |
|
|
|
Total |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Junior Year — Fall |
|
|
Junior Year — Spring |
|
| BIF elective |
3-5 |
|
BIF elective |
3-5 |
| CSC 310 |
4 |
|
AS |
3 |
| MAT 141 3 |
3 |
|
AS |
3 |
| AS 3 |
3 |
|
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
|
AS |
3 |
| Total |
17-19 |
|
Total |
15-17 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Senior Year — Fall |
|
|
Senior Year — Spring |
|
| 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 |
| Total |
15-17 |
|
Total |
15-17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
140-142 |
COURSES 2003 – 2005
BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3
This course introduces students to the field of bioinformatics, including on-line computational resources, basic programming concepts, genetics, sequence analysis, phylogenetics, algorithm development, and ethical issues.
BIF 400 Bioinformatics Capstone Course 3
This team-based course requires students to identify a problem in bioinformatics, to design and implement a solution, and to evaluate the results. Documentation, extensive software development, and oral presentation are required.
BIF 499 Bioinformatics Internship 3
Students are strongly encouraged to take part in a bioinformatics internship, which typically would take place in a research laboratory or biotechnology firm. Application and faculty advisor approval required. Note that this course cannot count as a bioinformatics elective.