Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2009

Undergraduate: BS
Concentrations: Biological Sciences, Biophysics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Mathematics

Students may indicate a preference to major in bioinformatics at any time, although acceptance into the major occurs only after a review of a student's progress at the end of four semesters of coursework. Because of the significant academic demands of this program, acceptance into the bioinformatics program requires an overall minimum GPA of 2.5, and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the prerequisite courses: BIO 205, CHE 101, CHE 102, CSE 115, CSE 116, MTH 141, and MTH 142. (Note: CHE 201 is a prerequisite to BIO 205. Students should complete CHE 201 or seek permission from the instructor of BIO 205 to waive this prerequisite). In exceptional circumstances, a student who wishes to major in bioinformatics may request a waiver or modification of the acceptance requirements. It is recommended that the prerequisite courses be completed by the end of the fourth semester; students with advanced placement credit may complete these courses earlier and then request acceptance into the program. Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all major courses (a student may request a waiver or modification of this GPA requirement in exceptional cases). Students who follow the BCB program of study for several semesters but, for whatever reason, decide not to complete those requirements can complete a traditional major in their area of concentration.

The core course requirements shared by all concentrations are:

BIO 205; BIO 302 or BIO 319; BIO 400 (BIO 205 will serve as prerequisite for BIO 302)
CHE 101, CHE 102, CHE 201 (or CHE 203 for non-BIO students). (Note: CHE 201 is a prerequisite to BIO 205; students should complete CHE 201 or seek permission from the instructor of BIO 205 to waive this prerequisite)
CSE 115, CSE 116, CSE 250, CSE 462 (BIO students take either CSE 462 or CSE 337/MTH 337; CSE 250 will serve as a prerequisite for CSE 462),
MTH 141, MTH 142, MTH 241, MTH 306, MTH 309, MTH 411(BIO and BPH students are exempt from MTH 241 and MTH 306)
MTH 191/CSE 191, MTH 337/CSE 337 or MTH 437/CSE 437-MTH 438/CSE 438 (BIO students take either CSE 462 or CSE 337/MTH 337; BPH students take either BPH 410 or CSE 437/MTH 437)
Senior Seminar
Senior Project

For the senior project, students work with faculty from the department of their concentration. Personnel associated with the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics may offer additional assistance and guidance to the students.