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 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 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 graduate work in such fields as bioinformatics, biology, computer science and computational biology.
Program Requirements:
A minimum of 37 courses and 127 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.
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.
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) and the two free electives will be MAT 230 (Bridge to Abstract Mathematics) and MAT 219 (Linear Algebra). 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. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) |
(12 credits) | |
| 2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII (12 courses) |
(36 credits) | |
| 3. Major course requirements:(19 courses) | ||
|
A. Support Courses (9 courses) |
||
|
BIO 101 Introduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology |
(5 credits) | |
|
BIO 102 Organismal Biology |
(5 credits) | |
|
BIO 203 Cellular Biochemistry |
(3 credits) | |
|
CHM 111 - 112 General Chemistry |
(10 credits) | |
|
CHM 227 Organic Chemistry I |
(5 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) | |
|
|
||
|
BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics |
(3 credits) | |
|
CSC 111 Introduction to Programming |
(4 credits) | |
|
CSC 212 Data Structures |
(4 credits) | |
|
CSC 312 Large Scale Programming |
(4 credits) | |
|
CSC 310 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) | |
| 4. Free Electives (2 courses) | (6 credits) | |
| Total: (37 courses) | (127-136 credits) | |
Approved Bioinformatics Electives
Biology
RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE:
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 325 Computer Graphics CSC 330 Distributed Computing CSC 333 Modeling and Simulation CSC 350 Artificial Intelligence 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
| Freshman Year — Fall | Freshman Year — Spring | ||
| BIO 101/101L | 5 credits | BIO 102/102L | 5 credits |
| BIF 101 | 3 credits | CSC 111 | 4 credits |
| CHM 111 | 5 credits | CHM 112 | 5 credits |
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits |
| Total | 16 credits | Total | 17 credits |
| Sophomore Year — Fall | Sophomore Year — Spring | ||
| CSC 212 | 4 credits | CSC 213 | 4 credits |
| CHM 227 | 5 credits | BIO 203 | 3 credits |
| RST 101 | 3 credits | PHI 101 | 3 credits |
| MAT 111 | 4 credits | MAT 191 | 4 credits |
| Total | 16 credits | AS | 3 credits |
| Total | 17 credits | ||
| Junior Year — Fall | Junior Year — Spring | ||
| BIF elective | 3-5 credits | BIF elective | 3-5 credits |
| CSC 310 or AS | 4 credits | MAT 141 | 4 credits |
| AS | 3 credits | BIF 400 or AS | 3 credits |
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits |
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits |
| Total | 16-18 credits | Total | 16-18 credits |
| Senior Year — Fall | Senior Year — Spring | ||
| BIF elective | 3-5 credits | BIF elective | 3-5 credits |
| Free elective | 3 credits | BIF 400 or AS | 3 credits |
| CSC 310 or AS | 3-4 credits | Free elective | 3 credits |
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits |
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits |
| Total | 15-18 credits | Total | 15-17 credits |
| TOTAL | 128-136 credits |
COURSES: 2007-2009
BIF 101 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 credits
This course introduces students to the field of bioinformatics, including on-line computational resources, basic programming concepts, genetics, sequence analysis, algorithm development and ethical issues. Offered every Fall.
BIF 400 Bioinformatics Capstone Course 3 credits
This course covers fundamental algorithms in bio-informatics, including analysis and application. Students work in teams to identify a problem in bioinformatics, to design and implement a solution and to evaluate the results. Documentation, software development or adaptation and oral presentation are required. Spring 2008
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.