Degree Requirements
The Master of Science program in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology has the following curriculum requirements:
- Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Core - Life Sciences (15)
- Ethics Core (3)
- Electives - Life Sciences (6)
- Seminar (1)
- Thesis Option (6)
- Non-Thesis Option (6)
The Master of Sciences in Bioinformatics & Computational Biology requires 24 credits of graduate-level coursework, and one credit of seminar. An additional 6 credits for Thesis or Non-Thesis Option are required totaling 31 credits. The 24 credits of coursework must include 15 credits in the Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Core courses and three credits in the Ethics Core courses. Attendance in Seminar (BINF 865 ) is required for every fall and spring semester while enrolled as a student.
Thesis Option (6 credits) - A Thesis (BINF 869 ) is required for the Thesis MS degree option. Unless special permission is granted, students need to complete 12 credit hours prior to the start of their thesis. Students, with the assistance of their Faculty Advisor, will prepare and present a research proposal to their Thesis Committee for review and approval of the proposed research project. Following completion of the research outlined in the proposal, the MS degree candidate will prepare a written thesis according to the guidelines set forth by the Office of Graduate and Professional Education. A thesis defense, preceded by a seminar, will be held. The student’s Faculty Advisor and Thesis Committee will administer and evaluate the thesis defense.
Non-Thesis Option (6 credits) - Up to six credits of additional Electives or Special Problems can be used to meet the Non-Thesis degree requirements. The Special Problems credits must be related to the program objectives in bioinformatics and computational biology, and approved by the Graduate Program Committee.
