MS Programs

Bioinformatics

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MS Program in Bioinformatics

Requirements for Biology M.S. Program with Interdisciplinary Emphasis in Bioinformatics

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. We offer non-thesis and thesis options for this interdisciplinary degree. The non-thesis option requires a minimum of 40 semester credit hours of coursework and a non-thesis report. The thesis option requires a minimum of 26 semester hours of coursework and 14 credit hours of research.
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.

Coursework must include: One course in biochemistry of at least three hours [normally Chem 6600 (5 hrs) or Chem 6610 (3 hrs)], although higher level courses may be selected. This requirement may be waived if the student has successfully passed an equivalent undergraduate course with a grade B or better (in case that the biochemistry work is waived, the student must still complete requisite hours of coursework).
Biol 6564 (Advanced Genetics), 4 hrs.
Biol 8630 (Bioinformatics), 4 hrs.
Two hours of Biol 6970 or Biol 8700. Students may take one hour of each or two hours of Biol 8700.
Twelve hours of interdisciplinary coursework to be selected from among the following:

Courses # Courses Description
CSc 6310 Parallel and Distributed Computing (4)
(Prerequisites: CSc 7350 (Java) (3) and CSc 7351 (C++) (3))
CSc 6730 Scientific Visualization (4)
(Prerequisites: CSc 7350 (Java) (3) and CSc 7351 (C++) (3))
CSc 6350 Software Engineering (4)
(Prerequisites: CSc 6999 (Data Structures) (3); CSc 7350 and CSc 7351 are prerequisites for CSc 6999)
CSc 6710 Database Systems (4)
(Prerequisites: CSc 6999 (Data Structures) (3); CSc 7350 and CSc 7351 are prerequisites for CSc 6999)
CSc 8710 Deductive Databases and Logic Programming (4)
(Prerequisites: CSc 6710)
Math 6544 Biostatistics (3)
Math 6548 Methods of Variance and Analysis of Regression (3)
(Prerequisites: Math 6544 or Biol 6744 (Biostatistics))
Stat 8050 Statistics for Bioinformatics
(Prerequisites: Math 6544 or Biol 6744 (Biostatistics))
Stat 8540 Multivariable Methods in Biostatistics (3)
(Prerequisites: Math 6544 or Biol 6744 (Biostatistics))

For the non-thesis option: 1. Thirteen hours of electives which may include: Biology courses including four hours of research (Biol 8800)
Chem 6110 (Physical Chemistry, 2 hrs) and Chem 6450 (Molecular Modeling, 2 hrs); Prerequisite: Chem 6110
Additional computer science or math and statistics courses in excess of the 12 hour requirement.

2. The successful completion of a laboratory or literature based research paper on a topic within the area of bioinformatics. The guidelines for the research paper are similar to those for the Biology, M.S. non-thesis research paper; however, one of the committee members must be from the math or computer science department.

For the thesis option:
An approved and successfully defined thesis proposal. The guidelines for the written proposal and oral defense are similar to those for the Biology M.S. thesis proposal; however, one of the committee members must be from the math or computer science department.
Fourteen hours of Biol 8999 (Thesis Research).
A thesis on research done in the area of bioinformatics.
A final oral presentation directed primarily to defense of the thesis.