Bioinformatics - Master of Science

The degree requirements include 30-31 graduate credit hours. The degree has two tracks, one for students with non-computing background and another for students with Computer Science background. The requirements for each track are structured as follows.

Track: Non-Computing Background

Prefix Title Credits
Required Courses
Core Courses
BIOL 550Special Topics (Command Line Genomics)3
A ST 505Statistical Inference I4
CSCI 4520Python Programming I3
BIOL 550Special Topics (R for ecological sciences)3
or CSCI 4530 R Programming I
CSCI 5310Bioinformatics Programming3
Select one of the following3
CSCI 5415
Introduction to Data Mining3
CSCI 5420
Applied Machine Learning I3
CSCI 5860
Algorithms in Systems Biology3
Elective Courses (2 from the following list)6
CSCI 4545
Object Oriented Programming Transition3
CSCI 5305
Bioinformatics3
CSCI 5860
Algorithms in Systems Biology3
GENE 452
Applied Bioinformatics3
or BIOL 566
 Advanced Bioinformatics and NCBI Database
A ST 550
Special Topics (Statistical bioinformatics course)1-4
A ST 550
Special Topics (Current topics in bioinformatics - open issues)1-4
Master's Project/Thesis/Internship 16
CSCI 5994
Master's Project6
or CSCI 5999
 Master's Thesis
Total Credits31
1

A student can write a thesis (CSCI 5999 Master's Thesis), undertake a research project (CSCI 5994 Master's Project, or participate in an internship related to the degree. In each case, six graduate credits are required and a written approval from the student's advisor must be obtained before the student undertakes this part of the study.  For students with thesis or project, the students are required to sustain a final exam, covering the thesis/research project.

 Track: Computer Science Background

Prefix Title Credits
Required Courses 2
CSCI 5415Introduction to Data Mining3
CSCI 5310Bioinformatics Programming3
CSCI 5505Analysis of Algorithms3
CSCI 5860Algorithms in Systems Biology3
CSCI 5810Advanced Software Engineering3
Select one from the following:3
CSCI 5305
Bioinformatics3
GENE 452
Applied Bioinformatics3
BIOL 566
Advanced Bioinformatics and NCBI Database3
Elective Courses (2 from the following list)6
A ST 505
Statistical Inference I4
A ST 506
Statistical Inference II3
BCHE 546
Biochemistry II3
BCHE 649
Topics in Biochemistry1-3
BIOL 474
Immunology3
BIOL 475
Virology3
BIOL 478
Molecular Biology of Microorganisms3
BIOL 490
Neurobiology3
BIOL 520
Molecular Cell Biology3
BIOL 566
Advanced Bioinformatics and NCBI Database3
CSCI 5140
Database Management Systems I3
CSCI 5405
Artificial Intelligence I3
CSCI 5305
Bioinformatics3
CSCI 5215
Parallel Programming3
CSCI 5750
Artificial Intelligence II3
CSCI 5820
Database Management Systems II3
GENE 452
Applied Bioinformatics3
GENE 486
Genes and Genomes3
MOLB 542
Biochemistry I3
MOLB 546
Biochemistry II3
MOLB 590
Discussions in Molecular Biology1
Master Thesis/Project/Internship 16
CSCI 5999
Master's Thesis1-6
or CSCI 5994
 Master's Project
Total Credits
Total Credits30
1

A student can write a thesis (CSCI 5999 Master's Thesis), undertake a research project (CSCI 5994 Master's Project), or participate in an internship related to the degree. In each case, six graduate credits are required and a written approval from the student's advisor must be obtained before the student undertakes this part of the study.  For students with thesis or project, the students are required to sustain a final exam, covering the thesis/research project.

Degree Road Map

  • For students with non-computing background
    • Semester 1: BIOL 550 Special Topics (Command Line Genomics), ​ CSCI 4530 R Programming I, A ST 505 Statistical Inference I
    • Semester 2: ​CSCI 4520 Python Programming I one elective course, CSCI 5310 Bioinformatics Programming
    • Semester 3: CSCI 5860 Algorithms in Systems Biology, Masterʼs project/thesis/internship (3 credits), one elective
    • Semester 4: Masterʼs project/thesis/internship (3 credits)
  • For students with Computer Science background
    • ​Semester 1: CSCI 5505 Analysis of Algorithms, CSCI 5305 Bioinformatics, A ST 505 Statistical Inference I
    • Semester 2: CSCI 5310 Bioinformatics Programming, CSCI 5415 Introduction to Data Mining ,CSCI 5810 Advanced Software Engineering
    • Semester 3: Master's project/thesis/internship (3 credits), CSCI 5860 Algorithms in Systems Biology, and an elective
    • Semester 4: Master's project/thesis/internship (3 credits)

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students (with non-computing background)

It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
CSCI 4530 R Programming I 3
A ST 505 Statistical Inference I 4
BIOL 550 Special Topics (Command Line Genomics) 1-3
 Credits8-10
Semester 2
CSCI 4520 Python Programming I 3
CSCI 5310 Bioinformatics Programming 3
Elective Course 3
 Credits9
Semester 3
CSCI 5415 Introduction to Data Mining 3
CSCI 5860 Algorithms in Systems Biology 3
Master's Project/Thesis or Internship 3
 Credits9
Semester 4
Master's project/thesis or internship 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits29-31

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students (with a Computer Science background)

It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
CSCI 5415 Introduction to Data Mining 3
CSCI 5310 Bioinformatics Programming 3
BIOL 566 Advanced Bioinformatics and NCBI Database 3
 Credits9
Semester 2
CSCI 5305 Bioinformatics 3
CSCI 5505 Analysis of Algorithms 3
GENE 452 Applied Bioinformatics 3
 Credits9
Semester 3
CSCI 5810 Advanced Software Engineering 3
CSCI 5860 Algorithms in Systems Biology 3
Elective Course 1 3
 Credits9
Semester 4
Master's project/thesis or internship 3
Elective Course 1 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits33