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 of biological information. Bioinformatics is important in all areas of biology, from human genetics to ecology, evolutionary biology, epidemiology and structural biology. 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 and computer science. The major is ideal for students interested in learning about and applying mathematical and computational techniques to problem solving in biology.
The bioinformatics major 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 laboratories. The program also prepares students for graduate work in such fields as bioinformatics, biology, computer science and computational biology.
Student Learning Goals
Bioinformatics majors will:
Goal 1: Effectively develop and implement computational solutions to problems.Qualifications for the Major
Goal 2: Be competent with respect to biology and biotechnology
Goal 3: Analyze legal, social and ethical considerations related to bioinformatics
There are no admission requirements for majors, but students without sufficient preparation in high school mathematics will have trouble completing the major in four years. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses. Note that a grade of B- or higher is required in CSC 111 and CSC 111 L. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in order to graduate.
Curriculum:
Students need to begin biology and computer science courses as soon as possible. The computer science sequence generally requires four years to complete due to the sequential nature of the courses, and biology requires two years to complete the core courses and a third or fourth year for upper level electives.
A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for graduation with a bachelor of science degree in bioinformatics, with the potential for as many as 137 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, physics, 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 be free electives. The additional three bioinformatics elective courses in the upper division should be selected from those most appropriate for the pre-medical program.
Students with a strong interest in mathematics are encouraged to pursue a minor in mathematics in the probability/statistics track. This level of mathematical rigor will help to prepare students for graduate study in biostatistics and mathematical biology in addition to bioinformatics.
For the mathematics minor, students will substitute MAT 112 (Calculus II) for MAT 141 (Statistics). Three of the four Bioinformatics elective courses will comprise MAT 211 (Calculus III) and MAT 351-MAT352 (Probability and Statistics). MAT 230 (Bridge to Abstract Mathematics) and MAT 219 (Linear Algebra) will count as free electives. Students with AP credit for Calculus I should, in addition, elect MAT 321 (Real Analysis I). While not required for the minor, this course is foundational for advanced study in mathematics.
Bioinformatics Curriculum:
1. Core Curriculum Requirements:
See pages 38-40 of this catalog or go to /academics/core.asp for the Core Curriculum requirements. All students complete these requirements as part of their overall Canisius education.
| 2. Major course requirements:(19 courses) | ||
| A. Support Courses (9 courses) | ||
| BIO 101/L Introduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology | 4 credits | |
| BIO 102/L Organismal Biology | 4 credits | |
| BIO 203 Cellular Biochemistry | 3 credits | |
| CHM 111/L – 112/L General Chemistry | 8 credits | |
| CHM 227/L Organic Chemistry I | 4 credits | |
| MAT 111 Calculus I | 4 credits | |
| MAT 141 Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science | 4 credits | |
| MAT 191 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics | 4 credits | |
B. Core Courses (10 courses) |
||
| BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 credits | |
| CSC 111/L Introduction to Programming | 4 credits | |
| CSC 212/L Data Structures | 4 credits | |
| CSC 213/L Large Scale Programming | 4 credits | |
| CSC 310/L Information Organization and Processing | 4 credits | |
| BIF 400 Bioinformatics Capstone course | 3 credits | |
| Bioinformatics electives: four courses, three of which must be at the 300/400 level |
12-20 credits | |
| Biology: BIO 404 Genetics BIO 408 Biotechnology BIO 412 Evolution and Development 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 313 Advanced Programming Topics CSC 325 Computer Graphics CSC 330 Distributed Computing CSC 351 Comparative Programming Languages CSC 360 Intelligent Systems CSC 380 Web Development CSC 395 Software Engineering Mathematics: MAT 112 Calculus II MAT 211 Calculus III MAT 219 Linear Algebra 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 PHY 360 Scientific Modeling | ||
3. Free electives:
Free electives are courses in addition to the Core Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students may graduate with more but not less than 120 credit hours.
COURSES: 2009 - 2011
BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 credits
This course introduces students to the field of bio-informatics, including on-line computational resources, basic programming concepts, genetics, sequence analysis, algorithm development and ethical issues. Every Fall.
BIF 400 Bioinformatics Capstone Course 3 credits
This course covers fundamental algorithms in bioinformatics, including analysis and application. In addition, students study ethical, legal and social issues related to bioinformatics. Students design and implement a solution to a current bioinformatics problem and evaluate the results. Documentation, software development or adaptation and oral presentation are required. Fall 2009
BIF 499 Bioinformatics Internship 3 credits
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.