Bioinformatics Option for Biology Majors

     With the advent of genomics and proteomics, biology is evolving from a mainly  experimental  science  performed  at  the  bench  to  one  in  which  large  databases  of  information and computer models play a significant role.  The analysis of many complex  biological systems such as neuronal patterning, integrated metabolic pathways, and genes  involved in signal transduction networks, requires that the research biologist have more  than  just  a  passing  understanding  of  computers  and  their  use  in  modern  biological  research.  Today’s biology students must therefore not only learn to perform in vivo and  in vitro, but also must become familiar with in silico research.

    Bioinformatics is a burgeoning field with plentiful career opportunities.  People  working  in this  field  must have a solid  background  in  biology,  math  and computer  science with an emphasis on quantitative reasoning.  The curriculum for a bioinformatics  concentration would give biology majors a minor in computer science. Our goal is to  prepare undergraduate students majoring in biology for employment as  bioinformaticists  in  biomedical  research  and for graduate training  in bioinformatics at both the  Master’s and the Ph.D. levels.

     Students concentrating in bioinformatics will fulfill the requirements for the  Biology Major with three differences.  First, they will have one extra semester of math.   Second, two biology courses will be replaced with 2 computer science courses with labs.   Third, instead of taking 10 credits of upper division biology electives, they will take 10  credits of upper division Chemistry, Anthropology, Math and Biology electives.  Below  is the curriculum developed for the Bioinformatics concentration.