Bioinformatics
Coordinator: Rochelle (Shelly) Leibowitz and Shawn McCafferty
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary area of study involving the collection, storage, retrieval, management and analysis of biological information resulting from a myriad of projects ranging from the sequencing of genomes to drug discovery. Understanding the relationship between linear sequences of DNA, the structure and function of proteins, and the associated scientific, health and ethical implications of this information is considered one of the greatest challenges in 21st-century science. Combining the strengths of the liberal arts within the context of interdisciplinary studies in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and statistics, the bioinformatics major prepares students for a world that relies on collaboration.
Major
Print a major planning worksheet
The major consists of a minimum of 14 courses plus a capstone experience.
Required courses
Bio 112 Cells and Genes
Bio 211 Genetics
Bio 305 Biochemistry
Bio 316 Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Chem 153 Chemical Principles
Chem 154 Inorganic Reactions
Chem 253 Organic Chemistry I
Chem 254 Organic Chemistry II
Comp 115 Robots, Games, and Problem Solving
Comp 116 Data Structures
Comp 325 Database Systems
Comp 215 Algorithms
or Bio 242 DNA
Math 151 Accelerated Statistics
Math 241 Theory of Probability
or Math 216 Computational Molecular Biology
Capstone experience
Recommended courses
Bio 219 Cell Biology
Bio 221 Microbiology and Immunology
Bio 254 Developmental Biology
Bio 303 Evolution
Bio 317 Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Chem 355 Chemical Thermodynamics
Chem 356 Quantum Chemistry
Econ 112 Introduction to Microeconomics
Math 211 Discrete Mathematics
Phil 111 Ethics
Phys 170 Introductory Physics I
Phys 171 Introductory Physics II