Biological Sciences, M.S., Bioinformatics Concentration

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Bioinformatics has grown from the creation of large biological databases that required computational approaches for efficient manipulation and analysis to a multi-faceted discipline that also includes microarray technology, statistical analysis, and molecular modeling. The degree requires a minimum of 35 credit hours to complete (37 credit hours if the student is not sufficiently prepared for the computer science component of the program).

Biology and Chemistry courses must be selected from courses numbered 6000 and 8000. (BIOL and CHEM 7000-7999 are not applicable toward the M.S. Degree in Biology.) Math and Computer Science courses at the 7000 level that serve as prerequisites for 6000 and 8000-level interdisciplinary courses may be applied towards the coursework requirement.

Concentration Requirements

Biology Elective (4 hours)

Select one of the following Biology courses:

BIOL 6458 - Microbial Ecology and Metabolism 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6500 - Human Genetics 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6696 - Laboratory in Molecular Biological Techniques 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6800 - Principles of Cellular Biology 4 Credit Hours

Biology Core (13 hours)

BIOL 6564 - Advanced Genetics 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6640 - Fundamentals of Bioinformatics 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 8710 - Concepts in Molecular Genetics 2 Credit Hours
Foundations in Molecular Biological Techniques:
BIOL 6000 - Life Science Professional Skills 1 Credit Hours
BIOL 8700 - Biology Seminar 2 Credit Hours

Computer Science Core (12 hours)

Students deemed deficient in CS experience will also need to take CSC 2720- Data Structures (2CH).

CSC 7350 - Programming for Bioinformatics 4 Credit Hours
CSC 7352 - Advanced Programming for Bioinformatics 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6520 - Design and Analysis of Algorithms 4 Credit Hours

Computer Science/Math Elective (3 hours)

Three or four hours of interdisciplinary coursework to be selected from among the following:

CSC 6710 - Database Systems 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6730 - Data Visualization 4 Credit Hours
CSC 6740 - Data Mining 4 Credit Hours
CSC 7351 - Systems Programming for Bioinformatics 3 Credit Hours
CSC 8540 - Advanced Algorithms in Bioinformatics 4 Credit Hours
MATH 6544 - Biostatistics 3 Credit Hours
MATH 6547 - Introduction to Statistical Methods 3 Credit Hours
MATH 6548 - Methods of Regression and Analysis of Variance 3 Credit Hours
MATH 6751 - Mathematical Statistics I 3 Credit Hours
MATH 6752 - Mathematical Statistics II 3 Credit Hours
MATH 6435 - Linear Algebra II 3 Credit Hours
MATH 8535 - Applied Matrix Algebra 3 Credit Hours

Non-Thesis Capstone (4 hours)

To satisfy this requirement, the student must select a faculty advisor and enroll in one of the following in their final semester:

BIOL 6996 - Non-Thesis Capstone Literature Review 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6997 - Non-Thesis Capstone Internship 4 Credit Hours
BIOL 6998 - Non-Thesis Capstone Project 4 Credit Hours