What do students learn by getting a Bioinformatics degree?
A degree in bioinformatics provides students with the specific computer and laboratory skill needed for employability in analytical science positions in industry and laboratories. This program provides students a strong interdisciplinary focus of biology with technology through mathematics, data systems, and computer science so they can assist in solving complex problems in the laboratory in computing and database systems in the biosciences. Students learn about algorithms, database managements, data mining, search strategies, and software design, and apply them to analyzing large databases through modeling and experimental design in the biological sciences.
Where are students with a Bioinformatics degree employed?
Students with strong biology, chemistry, mathematics and technology training are needed in the workforce in many capacities. Employers regularly seek students with experience in biological laboratory skills such as isolating, manipulating and analyzing DNA, RNA and proteins. However, new advances in technology, equipment, computer programs, and big data generation have made informatics and data analytics skills also desired by employers. Students with this entry-level degree could work with engineers, database administrators, programmers, robotics builders, or data scientists in the research and development of new technologies and biological discoveries.
Job Outlook for Bioinformatics is Strong!
Bioinformatics careers are exploding with the increase in big data in the health fields and the bioscience research fields (Levine, Alaina G., 2014, Explosion in bioinformatics careers visited October 25, 2017). The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job increases of 27,900 to 33,200 for computer and information research scientists, resulting in a 19% increase by 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2017, Occupational Outlook Handbook, computer information research scientists visited November 8, 2017).
Program Outcomes
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of core concepts in biology, mathematics, and computational science
- Utilize in-depth knowledge of genomes and proteomes and their importance through applied research
- Apply biological, mathematical, and computer science knowledge within the context of bioinformatics
- Use current techniques, skills, and tools in biology, mathematics, and computational science to solve bioinformatics problems
- Properly use the scientific method and discovery process
- Read, understand, and evaluate current literature in the field of bioinformatics
- Develop communication skills to include oral and descriptive modes for conveying scientific information to a variety of audience levels
Continuation and Repeat Policy
All bioinformatics required courses, supporting courses and the choice elective courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. All required and supporting courses need to be passed with a C or better before taking the Capstone courses BIOL 475 - Genomes to Proteomes and BIOL 476 - Applied Bioinformatics
If a student earns less than a C in any of these required, supporting or choice elective courses, up to three of those may be repeated once. Repeating a course needs to take place at the next offering or at the latest in the next academic year the student is enrolled
Courses being transferred to satisfy required or supporting courses will also need to follow this policy. If the proposed transfer course is less than a C, that course will need to be repeated to achieve a passing grade of C or better
