bioinformatics phd programs usa

PhD Program

• AIM PhD Track
• BIG PhD Track

PhD in Biomedical Informatics

The Department of Biomedical Informatics offers a PhD in Biomedical Informatics in the areas of  Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM)  and  Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics (BIG).

• The AIM PhD track prepares the next generation of leaders at the intersection of artificial intelligence and medicine. The program’s mission is to train exceptional computational students, harnessing large-scale biomedical data and cutting-edge AI methods, to create new technologies and clinically impactful research that transform medicine around the world, increasing both the quality and equity of health outcomes.
• The BIG PhD track trains future leaders in the field of bioinformatics and genomics. Our mission is to provide BIG graduate students with the tools to conduct original research and the ability to develop novel approaches and new technologies to address fundamental biological questions many of which will facilitate translation solutions to challenging problems in biomedicine and health.

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Temple University

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Bioinformatics PhD

Become an expert in the computational analysis of biological data with the Bioinformatics PhD in Temple’s College of Science and Technology. This full-time, 36-credit-hour doctoral program integrates biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and statistics in a research-focused curriculum. You will develop, implement and manage tools for researching complex data. One of only a few bioinformatics doctoral programs in the Greater Philadelphia biotechnology hub, this program prepares you for advanced careers in both industry and postdoctoral academic research.

You will have opportunities to collaborate with College of Science and Technology faculty and partners from Temple University Hospital and Temple's Fox Chase Cancer Center on cutting-edge computational methods. Current bioinformatics research is performed in many of Temple’s state-of-the-art labs and research centers, including the Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology , the Center for Data Analytics and Biomedical Informatics , the Center for Computational Genetics and Genomics , and the Center for Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine . Core faculty members study advances in areas such as

• biodiversity and the divergence of species over time;  
• the dynamics, folding, function and structure in proteins;
• electronic health records, medical images and clinical data; and
• personalized genomics and genomic medicine.

The Bioinformatics PhD curriculum focuses heavily on computational genomics, computational chemistry and the data sciences. Your first two years in the program include core coursework, giving you two to three years to focus solely on your research. In your first year, you’ll choose a specialty track in which to hone your expertise. The four tracks are

• Biological Data Analysis , which explores information analysis, management and retrieval, analysis and various applied disciplines;
• Evolutionary Genomics , which employs computational methods to investigate changes in genome structure across time;
• Evolutionary Medicine , an interdisciplinary field that studies the impact of natural environments on the biology of living organisms; and
• Structural Bioinformatics , which applies algorithms, data mining and programming languages to study macromolecular structure and protein folding.

Program Requirements

Doctoral candidates have seven years to complete the required courses, examinations and dissertation. All candidates must fulfill the following requirements for successful completion of the Bioinformatics PhD degree.

• Successful completion of all core curriculum courses with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 (B grade) in each semester and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all work completed at Temple University. There can be no more than two grades of less than B-.
• The qualifying examination , which is a written exam that must be completed by the start of the student's fourth semester. It is designed to test a student’s understanding of biological phenomena, specific research areas and scientific writing.
• An original research proposal , which is a 15- to 20-page proposal that introduces a research problem and the student’s methodological plan for investigating the problem.
• The preliminary thesis examination , which is administered after a student’s research proposal has been approved by the Graduate Committee and tests a student’s understanding of the background and substance of the research proposal (if a student’s research proposal is not approved, the student is considered to have not passed the oral examination).
• The doctoral dissertation , an original, empirical study that demonstrates a student's knowledge of research methods and mastery of the primary area of research. All dissertation research is conducted under the guidance of the Doctoral Thesis Advisory Committee.
• The final dissertation defense , which is the culminating event for Bioinformatics PhD candidates. Students must successfully pass the dissertation defense for completion of the Bioinformatics PhD degree.  

Learn more about the Bioinformatics PhD degree requirements .

Classes & Curriculum

The Bioinformatics PhD curriculum requires 36 credit hours. Students take 12 credits of common core courses (required courses completed by all bioinformatics doctoral students), 6 credits of core courses (required courses in your chosen track), 6 credits of elective courses in their chosen track and 12 credits of research. Students may also take courses selected from the broad and diverse options across Temple's campus.

The core courses for the Biological Data Analysis track are as follows.

• Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining
• Quantitative Science to Solve Global Problems

The core courses for the Evolutionary Genomics track are as follows.

• Computational Genomics
• Population Genetics

The core courses for the Evolutionary Medicine track are as follows.

• Fundamentals of Genomic Evolutionary Medicine

The core courses for the Structural Bioinformatics track are as follows.

• Structural Bioinformatics I
• Structural Bioinformatics II

All courses and research take place at Temple’s Main Campus, where the program’s state-of-the-art labs and research centers are located.

Learn more about required courses for the Bioinformatics PhD .

Related Graduate Degrees

• Bioinnovation PSM
• Biology PhD
• Biotechnology PSM
• Chemistry PhD
• Computer and Information Science PhD
• Scientific Writing PSM
• Biomedical Sciences PhD *

Related Graduate Certificates

• Scientific Writing

*Lewis Katz School of Medicine

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Doctor of Philosophy offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident : $1,301.00 per credit Out-of-state : $1,696.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website .

Faculty advisors can help you navigate your program and discuss research opportunities. There are two graduate advisors for the Department of Biology.

Tonia Hsieh  is an associate professor and the graduate chair in the Department of Biology. Phone : 215-204-0617 Email : [email protected]

Sandhya Verma is the graduate administrator in the Department of Biology. Phone : 215-204-8854 Email : [email protected]

Rob Kulathinal , director of the Bioinformatics PhD program, is the program contact for the Bioinformatics PhD. Phone: 215-204-0620 Email: [email protected]

If you can find the time to participate while meeting the demands of your degree program, student clubs offer valuable opportunities to meet fellow graduate students, researchers and professionals from science- and technology-related industries.

Clubs and organizations for students pursuing a Biology degree include

• the Alliance for Minority Participation in STEM , which works to increase opportunities for students and help them complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM.
• the Biology Graduate Student Society , an organization that develops professional and leadership skills in doctoral students as well as encourages them to participate in public outreach.
• Leadership, Education and Development in Science , an organization that empowers Philadelphia middle school students to form an interest in STEM through science experiments and mentors.

Explore the full list of College of Science and Technology student clubs and organizations .

If the demands of your degree program allow it, consider spending a summer or semester overseas building international connections with researchers from other countries. Temple’s study abroad program offers College of Science and Technology students opportunities to spend a summer or semester studying in China, Germany, Italy, South Korea or Taiwan. Learn more about your study abroad options .

As a division within Temple University, the College of Science and Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education .

Additional Program Information

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Bioinformatics Graduate Programs in America

1-25 of 84 results

Yale School of Medicine

New Haven, CT •

Yale University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: So far, the interactions I have had with the administration are all positive. Administrators are very responsive and knowledgeable and helpful. ... Read 5 reviews

Yale University ,

Graduate School ,

NEW HAVEN, CT ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says So far, the interactions I have had with the administration are all positive. Administrators are very responsive and knowledgeable and helpful. .

Read 5 reviews.

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA •

Harvard University •

• • Rating 4.94 out of 5   16 reviews

Other: Harvard is my dream school. Next year I will graduate the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Then I will applying to Harvard Medical School. If I accepted by this school, I will try my best of the best….. ... Read 16 reviews

Harvard University ,

BOSTON, MA ,

16 Niche users give it an average review of 4.9 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Harvard is my dream school. Next year I will graduate the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Then I will applying to Harvard Medical School. If I accepted by this school, I will try... .

Read 16 reviews.

Pratt School of Engineering

Durham, NC •

Duke University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: New program, Financial Technology, is a comprehensive curriculum bringing together financial principles and computing. Interesting electives and flexibility to create your own tract, incorporating courses from all of Duke's colleges. ... Read 2 reviews

Duke University ,

DURHAM, NC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says New program, Financial Technology, is a comprehensive curriculum bringing together financial principles and computing. Interesting electives and flexibility to create your own tract, incorporating... .

Read 2 reviews.

Jessup University

Graduate School •

ROCKLIN, CA

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   6

College of Science and Mathematics - Rowan University

Rowan University Graduate •

GLASSBORO, NJ

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1

Graduate College of Education - San Francisco State University

San Francisco State University •

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Perelman School of Medicine

Philadelphia, PA •

University of Pennsylvania •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   5 reviews

Master's Student: I am a first year, but I love Penn and my MPH program so much! I've never been surrounded by so many like-minded individuals before in my life. ... Read 5 reviews

University of Pennsylvania ,

PHILADELPHIA, PA ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a first year, but I love Penn and my MPH program so much! I've never been surrounded by so many like-minded individuals before in my life. .

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Evanston, IL •

Northwestern University •

Northwestern University ,

EVANSTON, IL ,

Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Nashville, TN •

Vanderbilt University •

Graduate Student: Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Loved my experience! Great teachers, easy to access, clear cut goals in class, great clinical experiences. ... Read 2 reviews

Vanderbilt University ,

NASHVILLE, TN ,

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Loved my experience! Great teachers, easy to access, clear cut goals in class, great clinical experiences. .

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Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

St. Louis, MO •

Washington University in St. Louis •

• • Rating 4.73 out of 5   15 reviews

Doctoral Student: So far, my experience had been amazing! The drive and parking are not the best, but the students and staff are very good. ... Read 15 reviews

Washington University in St. Louis ,

ST. LOUIS, MO ,

15 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says So far, my experience had been amazing! The drive and parking are not the best, but the students and staff are very good. .

Read 15 reviews.

Pritzker School of Medicine

Chicago, IL •

University of Chicago •

University of Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Los Angeles, CA •

University of Southern California •

University of Southern California ,

LOS ANGELES, CA ,

Keck School of Medicine

• • Rating 5 out of 5   7 reviews

Current Master's student: The Keck School of Medicine's Translational Genomics Program is a rigorous and comprehensive program that provides students with a strong foundation in genomics research and its applications. The program offers excellent resources and facilities for students, including state-of-the-art laboratories and access to cutting-edge technology. The faculty are knowledgeable and supportive, and the curriculum is well-structured and challenging. there are some areas where the program could be improved. One concern is the safety of the area surrounding the campus, which can be a bit dangerous. It would be beneficial for the program to improve security measures in order to ensure the safety of students and faculty. In addition, the program currently does not offer on-campus job opportunities, which can be challenging for international students who are not eligible to work off-campus. ... Read 7 reviews

7 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The Keck School of Medicine's Translational Genomics Program is a rigorous and comprehensive program that provides students with a strong foundation in genomics research and its applications. The... In addition, the program currently does not offer on-campus job opportunities, which can be challenging for international students who are not eligible to work off-campus. .

Read 7 reviews.

Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Ithaca, NY •

Cornell University •

Cornell University ,

ITHACA, NY ,

University of Michigan Medical School

Ann Arbor, MI •

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor •

Current Doctoral student: University of Michigan Medical School offers an exceptional medical education experience. What is unique about Michigan medical school is the innovative focus they have on their curriculum and culture of continuous improvement. The pre-clinical curriculum is only 12 months, which allows students to start their core clinical rotations in their second year. This affords students the opportunity to gain and improve upon clinical skills early, have more time to do research and cultivate career interests, and builds a foundation of knowledge that makes the students some of the best clinically trained in the country. Not only is the student body full of people with diverse, impressive accomplishments and experiences, but the culture is one where students genuinely value and support each other. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ,

ANN ARBOR, MI ,

Featured Review: Current Doctoral student says University of Michigan Medical School offers an exceptional medical education experience. What is unique about Michigan medical school is the innovative focus they have on their curriculum and... .

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UCLA College of Letters and Science

University of California - Los Angeles •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   1 review

University of California - Los Angeles ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Read 1 reviews.

David Geffen School of Medicine

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Alum: It was excellent. Opportunities were bountiful. I had the opportunity to rotate at sites that included RRMC, VA, Oliveview County Hospital, Harbor County Hospital, and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. I was to develop deep and rewarding relationships with mentors which helped me to match at my first choice program for residency. Training in SoCal is also a plus. Fortunately, the school provided subsidized student housing which made living in West LA very affordable. ... Read 1 review

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says It was excellent. Opportunities were bountiful. I had the opportunity to rotate at sites that included RRMC, VA, Oliveview County Hospital, Harbor County Hospital, and Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. I... .

Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

School of Computer Science - Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA •

Carnegie Mellon University •

Blue checkmark.

Carnegie Mellon University ,

PITTSBURGH, PA ,

Mellon College of Science

College of sciences - georgia institute of technology.

Atlanta, GA •

Georgia Institute of Technology •

Other: Georgia Tech is among the top colleges you can attend. My journey there had its highs and lows, but looking back, every experience contributed significantly to my growth. A piece of advice I'd offer to newcomers is to prioritize building friendships early on. One regret I have as I reflect on my year is not connecting with more people. I initially thought I should always work independently, but that was a misstep in my academic journey. Remember, it's essential to strike a balance between learning and having fun. ... Read 1 review

Georgia Institute of Technology ,

ATLANTA, GA ,

Featured Review: Other says Georgia Tech is among the top colleges you can attend. My journey there had its highs and lows, but looking back, every experience contributed significantly to my growth. A piece of advice I'd offer... .

School of Medicine - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC •

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   2 reviews

Graduate Student: UNC is a great school and has a wonderful public health program. Gillings is a very collaborative environment and the faculty are very engaged with students. ... Read 2 reviews

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ,

CHAPEL HILL, NC ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says UNC is a great school and has a wonderful public health program. Gillings is a very collaborative environment and the faculty are very engaged with students. .

Tandon School of Engineering

Brooklyn, NY •

New York University •

Master's Student: As a bioinformatics master's student at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, I've had the opportunity to explore the fascinating intersection of biology and computer science. The program has provided a robust curriculum, covering topics such as proteomics, transcriptomics, NGS, and data analysis, which have equipped me with the skills needed to analyze and interpret complex biological data. The faculty at Tandon are experienced and supportive, and I've had the chance to collaborate with fellow students on exciting research projects. The interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics has allowed me to gain insights into cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that are shaping the future of the field. Overall, my experience at NYU Tandon has been enriching, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills acquired during my master's program to contribute meaningfully to the field of bioinformatics. ... Read 15 reviews

New York University ,

BROOKLYN, NY ,

Featured Review: Master's Student says As a bioinformatics master's student at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, I've had the opportunity to explore the fascinating intersection of biology and computer science. The program has... The faculty at Tandon are experienced and supportive, and I've had the chance to collaborate with fellow students on exciting research projects. The interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics has... Overall, my experience at NYU Tandon has been enriching, and I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills acquired during my master's program to contribute meaningfully to the field of... .

Virginia Tech College of Science

Blacksburg, VA •

Virginia Tech •

Virginia Tech ,

BLACKSBURG, VA ,

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - Boston University

Boston University •

Boston University ,

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Madison, WI •

University of Wisconsin •

Doctoral Student: The best part of being in the Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program in UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health is the community. I love the diversity of endocrinology training my program has, as well as the tight-knit, family-style bonding we do over science. In my cohort alone, we are studying bovine ovarian cycles and luminal breast cancers all the way to diabetes and SSRI effects on bone density. SMPH does a great job of housing unique programs like my own, facilitating collaborations between labs, and providing great goals and standards for all students to learn and achieve together. Although expected with having a large campus and being in diverse fields, the worst part of my academic experience is being spread across campus from my friends. With our busy research schedules, these distances across campus stop us from studying together for classes as often as we should. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Wisconsin ,

MADISON, WI ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says The best part of being in the Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program in UW-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health is the community. I love the diversity of endocrinology training... .

UW College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

College of liberal arts & sciences - university of illinois.

Urbana, IL •

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign •

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ,

URBANA, IL ,

Touro University - Worldwide

LOS ALAMITOS, CA

• • Rating 4.73 out of 5   102

San Francisco State University

• • Rating 4.19 out of 5   52

College of Health and Social Sciences - San Francisco State University

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1

Showing results 1 through 25 of 84

Ph.D. in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 60
• Students: 29
• Part time study available: No
• Application Terms: Fall
• Application Deadline: November 30

Monica Franklin Program Coordinator CBB Graduate Program Duke University Box 90090 Durham, NC 27708

Phone: 919-668-1049

Email: [email protected]

Website:  https://medschool.duke.edu/education/biomedical-phd-programs/computational-biology-and-bioinformatics-program

Program Description

The mission of the Graduate Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBB) is to train predoctoral students to become leaders at the interdisciplinary intersection of quantitative and biomedical sciences. The program provides rigorous training in quantitative approaches from computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, and engineering that enable its students to successfully address contemporary challenges across biology and medicine.  CBB trains students who have an interest and aptitude in both the computational and biological sciences. During their time in the program, students develop expertise in one or more quantitative areas, as well as in the specific biological area on which their research focuses.

Certificate in CBB

For students enrolled in other Ph.D. or masters programs of participating departments, the program also offers the opportunity to pursue a certificate in CBB. Students qualify for a CBB certificate by successfully completing two core courses plus an additional CBB course. Registration for the Computational Biology seminar every semester except the semester of graduation is also required.

• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadline:  November 30

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components Optional Video Essay: How would a Duke PhD training experience help you achieve your academic and professional goals? Max video length 2 minutes; record externally and provide URL in application.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

List of Graduate School Programs and Degrees

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Graduate Program: Bioinformatics

UCLA's Graduate Program in Bioinformatics offers the following degree(s):

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Master of Science (M.S.)

With questions not answered here or on the program’s site (above), please contact the program directly.

Bioinformatics Graduate Program at UCLA 172 Boyer Hall 611 Charles E. Young Drive Box 951570 Los Angeles, CA 90095-1570

Visit the Bioinformatics’s faculty roster

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visit the registrar's site for the Bioinformatics’s course descriptions

• Admission Requirements
• Program Statistics

(310) 825-0068

[email protected]

MAJOR CODE: BIOINFORMATICS

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Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS)

Genomics & bioinformatics phd program.

The PhD in Genomics and Bioinformatics is designed to develop research scientists who apply principles and methods in genomics and bioinformatics to the study of human diseases.

The PhD in Genomics and Bioinformatics provides research training areas that reflect GW faculty expertise which includes DNA/RNA sequence analysis, algorithm development, cloud computing optimization, informatics platform development, biomarker discovery, microbiome, retrovirology (HIV/AIDS), autism spectrum disorders, muscular dystrophies, cancer genomics, glycoinformatics, microRNA processing, protein trafficking, and dysregulation of mitochondrial functions. Faculty are drawn largely from the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Children’s Research Institute of Children’s National Health System.

Students have access to the state of the art technologies in genomics, proteomics, microscopy, bioinformatics, pre-clinical drug trials and multi-site clinical trial networks. Resources include the GW  Genomics Core , the GW  Biorepository  resource of biospecimens and clinical data, the  McCormick Genomic  and Proteomic Center, and  Colonial One  (the GW High Performance Computing Cluster), as well as cutting-edge core facilities for flow cytometry, imaging, and pathology.

PhD programs in the biomedical sciences are designed to meet key goals in contemporary graduate research education including 1) discipline-specific knowledge, 2) research skill development, 3) research communication skills, 4) research leadership, 5) research professionalism, and prepare graduates for a variety of science careers. To apply, please visit  IBS Admissions .

The PhD in Genomics & Bioinformatics begins with interdisciplinary coursework in molecular, cellular, and systems biology in the first semester. In the second and third semester students take a comprehensive introduction to the conceptual and experimental underpinnings of computational biology, statistics, genetics, and DNA sequencing. Career development coursework in scientific writing, oral communication, and research ethics; and laboratory rotations offered through GW’s Integrated Biomedical Sciences curriculum. Following required laboratory rotations, students work with their research advisor and the Graduate Program Directors to complete remaining Genomics & Bioinformatics degree requirements, including the dissertation.

Genomics and Bioinformatics Core:

• GENO 8231: Introduction to Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics
• GENO 8232: Computational Biology and Bioinformatics - Principals and Practices
• GENO 6223: Bioinformatics
• GENO 6237: Proteomics & Biomarkers
• GENO 8998: Advanced Reading and Research Seminar Course
• GENO 8999: Dissertation Research

Some Suggested Electives:

• BIOC 6240: Next Gen Sequencing.
• PUBH 6277: Public Health Genomics
• BMSC 8219: Writing the Grant-Style Qualifier

Seminars/Journal Clubs:

CTSI-CN Informatics Seminar Series

Complete grant-style qualifier examination, advance to candidacy

Graduate Program Directors:

Ljubica Caldovic, PhD Assistant Research Professor of Genomics and Precision Medicine Children's National Health System; GWU [email protected]

Raja Mazumder, PhD Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine GWU, Ross Hall 540 [email protected]

How to apply  to the IBS and Genomics and Bioinformatics PhD Program For IBS Application Questions contact Colleen Kennedy, IBS Program Manager

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2024 Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award recipient from DMS

Watch Live Stream of 2023 DMS Hooding Ceremony

The  2023 DMS Hooding ceremonies  will be live-streamed on YouTube .  Thursday, May 25, 2023: Hooding Ceremony for  2023  graduates begins at 5:00pm.... Read more about Watch Live Stream of 2023 DMS Hooding Ceremony

Student Profile of 2022 BIG graduate Eduardo Maury

Exploring the brain.

BIG PhD grad Eduardo Maury is deciphering somatic mutations to better understand neurological disease. Read about the influence his neurosurgeon father had on his career, and the role Maury's mentors played in his growth as a scientist .

BIG Program Welcomes 2021-2022 Class

We were delighted to welcome our new entering class last week for an in-person orientation.  Our cohort is 13 students this year.  

Our students have undergraduate degrees in computational biology, mathematics, statistics and data science, biomedical engineering (2), statistics, computer science, applied biology with biotechnology, bichemistry and molecular biology, neuroscience, bioinformatics (biological/genomic sciences), biology (genomics and computational biology), and engineering science and applied mathematics; two with master's degrees, and two MD/PhD...

BIG Program Welcomes 2020-2021 Class

We would like to extend a very special welcome to our entering BIG class.  From cities near and far, students joined together for this virtual greeting and orientation as we began the new academic year. With 14 students, it is the largest BIG cohort ever.... Read more about BIG Program Welcomes 2020-2021 Class

BIG Student Launches Podcast

BIG student Anika Gupta launched a new podcast: The Data Pulse. The Data Pulse dives into the growing role that data science plays in biotechnology and biomedical innovations, through conversations with veterans and rising stars at that intersection--spanning academia and industry, and ranging from the molecular to the clinical scales.

BIG student a finalist at MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference

On  March 5, 2020, BIG student Qingbo Wang participated in the  MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC)  hackathon, and was selected as a finalist (#6 out of >140 applications) to present in the large conference room.

BIG Alumni Honoree in Forbes "30 Under 30"

BIG alumni Dr. Jean Fan honored in the 2020 Forbes 30 under 30 Healthcare category

BIG students win 1st prize in Vivli and Microsoft Clinical Trial Datathon

On June 21, 2019, BIG students Qingbo Wang and Gaurav Luthria participated in and won the Vivli Microsoft Data Challenge!

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Information for prospective Ph.D. students in Computational Biology or Bioinformatics

The Ph.D. programs in Computational Biology at Johns Hopkins University span four Departments and a wide range of research topics. Our programs provide interdisciplinary training in computational and quantitative approaches to scientific problems that include questions in genomics, medicine, genome engineering, sequencing technology, molecular biology, genetics, and others.

Our students are actively involved in high-profile research, and have developed very widely-used bioinformatics software systems such as Bowtie , Tophat , and Cufflinks . and the more-recent systems HISAT and Stringtie (for RNA-seq alignment and assembly) and Kraken (for metagenomic sequence analysis). The work they do with Hopkins faculty prepares them to go on to postdoctoral and tenure track faculty positions at top-ranked universities including (in recent years) Harvard, the University of Washington, Carnegie Mellon, the University of Maryland, and Brown.

Students in computational biology at Hopkins can enroll in one of four different Ph.D. programs. These include Biomedical Engineering, ranked #1 in the nation; Biostatistics, also ranked #1 in the nation; Biology, ranked #6 in the nation; and the rapidly growing Computer Science Department, ranked #23 in the nation. Hopkins is also ranked #4 in the nation in Bioinformatics, a ranking that just started appearing in 2022.

CCB faculty have appointments in each of these programs, and some of us maintain appointments in multiple programs. To determine which program fits your interests and background, browse the course lists below. Each program has a separate application process; please apply specifically to the departments you're interested in. Applications to multiple programs are permitted, but if you're not certain, we encourage you to contact potential faculty advisors before you apply. Wherever you apply, make it clear that your interest is Computational Biology.

Sample Course Offerings for Ph.D. students in Computational Biology

Department of biomedical engineering, whiting school of engineering.

The Johns Hopkins Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), widely regarded as the top program of its kind in the world and ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News , is dedicated to solving important scientific problems at the intersection of multiple disciplines and that have the potential to make a significant impact on medicine and health. At the intersection of inquiry and discovery, the department integrates biology, medicine, and engineering and draws upon the considerable strengths and talents of the Johns Hopkins Schools of Engineering and Medicine. See the BME Ph.D. program website for many details.

Department of Computer Science, Whiting School of Engineering

The faculty represent a broad spectrum of disciplines encompassing core computer science and many cross-disciplinary areas including Computational Biology and Medicine, Information Security, Machine Learning, Data Intensive Computing, Computer-Integrated Surgery, and Natural Language Processing.

Ph.D. program

A total of 8 courses are required, and a typical load is 3 courses per semester. See the CS Department website for details. For a look at courses that might be included in Ph.D. training, see this page , though note that it is not a comprehensive list. For the Computer Science Ph.D., 2 out of the required 8 classes can be taken outside the Department. These may include any of the courses in the BME, Biostatistics, and Biology programs listed on this page.

Department of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health

Johns Hopkins Biostatistics is the oldest department of its kind in the world and has long been considered as one of the best. In 2022, it was ranked #1 in the nation by U.S. News .

All students in the Biostatistics Ph.D. program have to complete the core requirements:

• A two-year sequence on biostatistical methodology (140.751-756)
• A two-year sequence on probability and the foundations and theory of statistical science (550.620-621, 140.673-674, 140.771-772);
• Principles of Epidemiology (340.601)

In addition, students in computational biology might take:

• 140.776.01 Statistical Computing (3 credits)
• 140.638.01 Analysis of Biological Sequences (3 credits)
• 140.644.01 Statistica machine learning: methods, theory, and applications (4 credits)
• 140.688.01 Statistics for Genomics (3 credits)

Further courses might include 2-3 courses in Computer Science, BME, or Biology listed on this page.

Department of Biology, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences

The Hopkins Biology Graduate Program, founded in 1876, is the oldest Biology graduate school in the country. People like Thomas Morgan, E. B. Wilson, Edwin Conklin and Ross Harrison, were part of the initial graduate classes when the program was first founded. Hopkins is ranked #6 in the nation in Biological Sciences by U.S. News

Quantitative and computational biology are an integral part of the CMDB training program. During the first semester students attend Quantitative Biology Bootcamp, a one week intensive course in using computational tools and programming for biological data analysis. Two of our core courses - Graduate Biophysical Chemistry and Genomes and Development - each have an associated computational lab component.

Ph.D. in Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics (CMDB):

The CMDB core includes the following courses:

• 020.607 Quantitative Biology Bootcamp
• 020.674 Graduate Biophysical Chemistry
• 020.686 Advanced Cell Biology
• 020.637 Genomes and Development
• 020.668 Advanced Molecular Biology
• 020.606 Molecular Evolution
• 020.620 Stem Cells
• 020.630 Human Genetics
• 020.640 Epigenetics & Chromosome Dynamics
• 020.650 Eukaryotic Molecular Biology
• 020.644 RNA

Students in computational biology can use their electives to take more computationally intensive courses. You have considerable flexibility to design a program of study with your Ph.D. advisor.

The Center for Computational Biology at Johns Hopkins University

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Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (PhD)

Program description.

Researchers in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology collect, store, analyze, and present complex biological data using high-performance computing. Through this work, critical contributions are made to disease detection, drug design, forensics, agriculture, and environmental sciences. This research-oriented program trains a new generation of computational biologists for careers in private industry, academia, and government agencies. The program provides students with interdisciplinary academic curriculum that includes fundamental bioscience courses as well as advanced courses in bioinformatics.

In general, course requirements are completed within the first two years of study. Completion of coursework, the comprehensive exam, and a successful dissertation proposal results in advancement to candidacy status. In the next phase, students conduct research guided by a faculty member. The program is concluded with the defense of PhD dissertation.

The program is structured to be accessible for full- and part-time students. The courses are offered in a hybrid or distance learning format without requiring students to travel to campus. Because the research work is computational, students may choose to earn their doctoral degree entirely remotely or in a traditional face-to-face format.

What it costs

The total cost for this program is  $793.25  per credit hour for VA state residents or  $1,681.25 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. New Student and other mandatory university and course fees may apply.

Application Deadline

For application information and deadlines, see the Admissions site .

Program Summary

100 Percent Online

Program: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Degree: PhD

College/School: College of Science

Credits: 72 total

 Who should apply?

The program is inherently interdisciplinary and consequently the students coming to the program are likely to have a background in biology, computer science, or chemistry. Students select one of the areas in bioinformatics and computational biology studied by a faculty member, who will serve as their advisor.  Thus, the students interested in studying biological problems utilizing computational methods are encouraged to apply.

Why choose George Mason?

• Life science is a rapidly developing field demanding highly trained computational biologists. Our program addresses the growing demand by preparing a new generation of bioinformaticians to be employed in industry, academia, or government.
• By joining the program, students will participate in advanced, cutting-edge research.
• Students benefit from cooperation with neighboring world-class research institutions, including the NIH, USDA, FDA, FBI, and many other universities, research institutes, museums, government, and military laboratories in the Greater Washington, DC area.
• Courses in this program are taught by acclaimed professors and experts in the field, including Saleet Jafri, Dmitri Klimov, Donald Seto, Jeffrey Solka, Aman Ullah, and Iosif Vaisman as well as faculty from other departments.
• The program offers excellent opportunity for professionals with MS degree to complete PhD program on a part-time basis.
• The entire doctoral degree can be earned online without the need to travel to campus.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 72 credits total

• 6 credits fundamental biosciences courses
• 13 credits core courses
• 3 credits colloquium course (1 credit each instance)
• 3 credits lab rotation (1 credit each instance)
• 12-24 credits research course
• 23-35 credits elective courses

All the courses needed to complete the entire program are offered online. Most online courses are  delivered synchronously . Classes are scheduled 4:30 p.m. (eastern standard time) or later to accommodate students employed full-time. Offerings vary by semester.

Fundamental Biosciences Courses

• BINF 701 Systems Biology | 3 credits
• BINF 702 Biological Data Analysis | 3 credits

Core Courses

• BINF 690 Numerical Methods for Bioinformatics | 3 credits
• BINF 705 Research Ethics | 1 credit
• BINF 730 Biological Sequence and Genome Analysis | 3 credits
• BINF 731 Protein Structure Analysis | 3 credits
• BINF 740 Introduction to Biophysics | 3 credits

Colloquium (3 instances)

• BINF 704 Colloquium in Bioinformatics | 1 credit

Bioinformatics Lab Rotation (3 instances)

• BINF 703 Bioinformatics Lab Rotation | 1 credit

Dissertation Research

• BINF 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal | 1-12 credits
• BINF 999 Doctoral Dissertation | 1-12 credits (must earn minimum 3 credits)

Electives may be graduate level coursework selected from bioinformatics, biology, biotechnology, statistics, computer science, and information systems courses. Review class schedule for latest course offerings. Contact your faculty advisor for approval of elective course selection.

Tuition (2021-2022)

Please Note : In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office  website for more information on tuition and fees.

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the  Office of Student Financial Aid . For information regarding grants, tuition waivers and other merit aid, please inquire with your graduate department.

Career Descriptions

Because of explosive growth in life sciences, biotechnology, and drug design, there is a strong demand for bioinformatics scientists employing computational methods to advance the scientific understanding of living systems. Broadly speaking, the bioinformatics employment falls into several categories.

Researchers: Academia, government, and commercial sector are hiring employees trained in bioinformatics to support their research. People in these positions generally work in a specific area of research.

Instruction: There is a robust demand for teaching bioinformatics and computational biology. Some PhD level bioinformaticians will pursue an academic career developing their own research agenda and teach at universities. To this end, they typically receive an additional post-doctoral training in one of research labs for few years. Many institutions are also seeking dedicated instructors to teach bioinformatics.

Support of core facilities: Universities or government institutes tend to establish central resources for their labs referred to as core facilities. The personnel supporting such core facilities often require research experience and PhD level degrees.

Software developers: Many companies within the Greater Washington area and nationally are interested in developing and deploying computational algorithms and tools. Such jobs often require research experience and advanced skills only provided at PhD level.

Students are strongly encouraged to check online postings for job opportunities in bioinformatics and computational biology. As a Mason student, you may also contact  Mason Career Services  for more career information and counseling.

All applicants should review School of Systems Biology Application Information . For international applicants, see guidelines for  International Graduate Requirements.

Prerequisites

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, computer science, or related field
• Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.25 in the last earned degree
• Have taken courses in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, calculus, computer programming and data structures, and probability and statistics. Students with deficiencies in one or more of these areas may be admitted, but required to take additional courses, some of which may not be applicable to the degree’s course total.
• Have a working knowledge of a computer programming language

Application Materials

• Graduate application
• Application fee
• In-state tuition form (if applicable)
• Two official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• Goals statement
• Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or individuals who have personal knowledge of your academic or professional capabilities

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact COS Graduate Admissions at [email protected] or (703) 993-3430.

Ready to apply?

Already enrolled, interested in learning more.

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Center for Computational Biology

Computational Biology PhD

The main objective of the Computational Biology PhD is to train the next generation of scientists who are both passionate about exploring the interface of computation and biology, and committed to functioning at a high level in both computational and biological fields.

The program emphasizes multidisciplinary competency, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transdisciplinary research, and offers an integrated and customizable curriculum that consists of two semesters of didactic course work tailored to each student’s background and interests, research rotations with faculty mentors spanning computational biology’s core disciplines, and dissertation research jointly supervised by computational and biological faculty mentors.

The Computational Biology Graduate Group facilitates student immersion into UC Berkeley’s vibrant computational biology research community. Currently, the Group includes over 46 faculty from across 14 departments of the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering, the College of Natural Resources, and the School of Public Health. Many of these faculty are available as potential dissertation research advisors for Computational Biology PhD students, with more available for participation on doctoral committees.

The First Year

The time to degree (normative time) of the Computational Biology PhD is five years. The first year of the program emphasizes gaining competency in computational biology, the biological sciences, and the computational sciences (broadly construed). Since student backgrounds will vary widely, each student will work with faculty and student advisory committees to develop a program of study tailored to their background and interests. Specifically, all first-year students must:

• Perform three rotations with Core faculty (one rotation with a non-Core faculty is acceptable with advance approval)
• Complete course work requirements (see below)
• Complete a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research
• Attend the computational biology seminar series
• Complete experimental training (see below)

Laboratory Rotations

Entering students are required to complete three laboratory rotations during their first year in the program to seek out a Dissertation Advisor under whose supervision dissertation research will be conducted. Students should rotate with at least one computational Core faculty member and one experimental Core faculty member. Click here to view rotation policy. 

Course Work & Additional Requirements

Students must complete the following coursework in the first three (up to four) semesters. Courses must be taken for a grade and a grade of B or higher is required for a course to count towards degree progress:

• Fall and Spring semester of CMPBIO 293, Doctoral Seminar in Computational Biology
• A Responsible Conduct of Research course, most likely through the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology.
• STAT 201A & STAT 201B : Intro to Probability and Statistics at an Advanced Level. Note: Students who are offered admission and are not prepared to complete STAT 201A and 201B will be required to complete STAT 134 or PH 142 first.
• CS61A : The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. Note: students with the equivalent background can replace this requirement with a more advanced CS course of their choosing.
• 3 elective courses relevant to the field of Computational Biology , one of which must be at the graduate level (see below for details).
• Attend the computational biology invited speaker seminar series. A schedule is circulated to all students by email and is available on the Center website. Starting with the 2023 entering class, CCB PhD students must enroll in CMPBIO 275: Computational Biology Seminar , which provides credit for this seminar series.
• 1) completion of a laboratory course at Berkeley with a minimum grade of B,
• 2) completion of a rotation in an experimental lab (w/ an experimental project), with a positive evaluation from the PI,
• a biological sciences undergraduate major with at least two upper division laboratory-based courses,
• a semester or equivalent of supervised undergraduate experimental laboratory-based research at a university,
• or previous paid or volunteer/internship work in an industry-based experimental laboratory.

Students are expected to develop a course plan for their program requirements and to consult with the Head Graduate Advisor before the Spring semester of their first year for formal approval (signature required). The course plan will take into account the student’s undergraduate training areas and goals for PhD research areas.

Satisfactory completion of first year requirements will be evaluated at the end of the spring semester of the first year. If requirements are satisfied, students will formally choose a Dissertation advisor from among the core faculty with whom they rotated and begin dissertation research.

Waivers: Students may request waivers for the specific courses STAT 201A, STAT 201B, and CS61A. In all cases of waivers, the student must take alternative courses in related areas so as to have six additional courses, as described above. For waiving out of STAT 201A/B, students can demonstrate they have completed the equivalent by passing a proctored assessment exam on Campus. For waiving out CS61A, the Head Graduate Advisor will evaluate student’s previous coursework based on the previous course’s syllabus and other course materials to determine equivalency.

Electives: Of the three electives, students are required to choose one course in each of the two following cluster areas:

• Cluster A (Biological Science) : These courses are defined as those for which the learning goals are primarily related to biology. This includes courses covering topics in molecular biology, genetics, evolution, environmental science, experimental methods, and human health. This category may also cover courses whose focus is on learning how to use bioinformatic tools to understand experimental data.
• Cluster B (Computational Sciences): These courses are defined as those for which the learning goals involve computing, inference, or mathematical modeling, broadly defined. This includes courses on algorithms, computing languages or structures, mathematical or probabilistic concepts, and statistics. This category would include courses whose focus is on biological applications of such topics.

In the below link we give some relevant such courses, but students can take courses beyond this list; for courses not on this list, the Head Graduate Advisor will determine to which cluster a course can be credited. For classes that have significant overlap between these two clusters, the department which offers the course may influence the decision of the HGA as to whether the course should be assigned to cluster A or B.

See below for some suggested courses in these categories:

Suggested Coursework Options

Second Year & Beyond

At the beginning of the fall of the second year, students begin full-time dissertation research in earnest under the supervision of their Dissertation advisor. It is anticipated that it will take students three (up to four) semesters to complete the 6 course requirement. Students are required to continue to participate annually in the computational biology seminar series.

Qualifying Examination

Students are expected to take and pass an oral Qualifying Examination (QE) by the end of the spring semester (June 15th) of their second year of graduate study. Students must present a written dissertation proposal to the QE committee no fewer than four weeks prior to the oral QE. The write-up should follow the format of an NIH-style grant proposal (i.e., it should include an abstract, background and significance, specific aims to be addressed (~3), and a research plan for addressing the aims) and must thoroughly discuss plans for research to be conducted in the dissertation lab. Click here for more details on the guidelines and format for the QE. Click here to view the rules for the composition of the committee and the form for declaring your committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

After successfully completing the QE, students will Advance to Candidacy. At this time, students select the members of their dissertation committee and submit this committee for approval to the Graduate Division. Students should endeavor to include a member whose research represents a complementary yet distinct area from that of the dissertation advisor (ie, biological vs computational, experimental vs theoretical) and that will be integrated in the student’s dissertation research. Click here to view the rules for the composition of the committee and the form for declaring your committee.

Meetings with the Dissertation Committee

After Advancing to Candidacy, students are expected to meet with their Dissertation Committee at least once each year.

Teaching Requirements

Computational Biology PhD students are required to teach at least two semesters (starting with Fall 2019 class), but may teach more. The requirement can be modified if the student has funding that does not allow teaching. Starting with the Fall 2019 class: At least one of those courses should require that you teach a section. Berkeley Connect or CMPBIO 293 can count towards one of the required semesters.

The Dissertation

Dissertation projects will represent scholarly, independent and novel research that contributes new knowledge to Computational Biology by integrating knowledge and methodologies from both the biological and computational sciences. Students must submit their dissertation by the May Graduate Division filing deadline (see Graduate Division for date) of their fifth–and final–year.

Special Requirements

Students will be required to present their research either orally or via a poster at the annual retreat beginning in their second year.

• Financial Support

The Computational Biology Graduate Group provides a competitive stipend (the stipend for 2023-24 is $43,363) as well as full payment of fees and non-resident tuition (which includes health care). Students maintaining satisfactory academic progress are provided full funding for five to five and a half years. The program supports students in the first year, while the PI/mentor provides support from the second year on. A portion of this support is in the form of salary from teaching assistance as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) in allied departments, such as Molecular and Cell Biology, Integrative Biology, Plant and Microbial Biology, Mathematics, Statistics or Computer Science. Teaching is part of the training of the program and most students will not teach more than two semesters, unless by choice.

Due to cost constraints, the program admits few international students; the average is two per year. Those admitted are also given full financial support (as noted above): stipend, fees and tuition.

Students are also strongly encouraged to apply for extramural fellowships for the proposal writing experience. There are a number of extramural fellowships that Berkeley students apply for that current applicants may find appealing. Please note that the NSF now only allows two submissions – once as an undergrad and once in grad school. The NSF funds students with potential, as opposed to specific research projects, so do not be concerned that you don’t know your grad school plans yet – just put together a good proposal! Although we make admissions offers before the fellowships results are released, all eligible students should take advantage of both opportunities to apply, as it’s a great opportunity and a great addition to a CV.

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (app deadlines in Oct)
• Hertz Foundation Fellowship (app deadline Oct)
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (app deadline in mid-Fall)
• DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (Krell Institute) (app deadline in Jan)

CCB no longer requires the GRE for admission (neither general, nor subject). The GRE will not be seen by the review committee, even if sent to Berkeley.

PLEASE NOTE: The application deadline is Wednesday, November 30 , 2023, 8:59 PST/11:59 EST

If you would like to learn more about our program, you can watch informational YouTube videos from the past two UC Berkeley Graduate Diversity Admissions Fairs: 2021 recording & 2020 recording .

We invite applications from students with distinguished academic records, strong foundations in the basic biological, physical and computational sciences, as well as significant computer programming and research experience. Admission for the Computational Biology PhD is for the fall semester only, and Computational Biology does not offer a Master’s degree.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have, but please be sure to read this entire page first, as many of your questions will be answered below or on the Tips tab.

IMPORTANT : Please note that it is not possible to select a specific PhD advisor until the end of the first year in the program, so contacting individual faculty about openings in their laboratories will not increase your chances of being accepted into the program. You will have an opportunity to discuss your interests with relevant faculty if you are invited to interview in February.

Undergraduate Preparation

Minimum requirements for admission to graduate study:

• A bachelor’s degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Undergraduate preparation reflecting a balance of training in computational biology’s core disciplines (biology, computer science, statistics/mathematics), for example, a single interdisciplinary major, such as computational biology or bioinformatics; a major in a core discipline and a combination of interdisciplinary course work and research experiences; or a double major in core disciplines.
• Basic research experience and aptitude are key considerations for admission, so evidence of research experience and letters of recommendation from faculty mentors attesting to the applicant’s research experience are of particular interest.
• GRE – NOT required or used for review .
• TOEFL scores for international students (see below for details).

Application Requirements

ALL materials, including letters, are due November 30, 2023 (8:59 PST). More information is provided and required as part of the online application, so please create an account and review the application before emailing with questions (and please set up an account well before the deadline):

• A completed graduate application: The online application opens in early or mid-September and is located on the Graduate Division website . Paper applications are not accepted. Please create your account and review the application well ahead of the submit date , as it will take time to complete and requests information not listed here.
• A nonrefundable application fee: The fee must be paid using a major credit card and is not refundable. For US citizens and permanent residents, the fee is $135; US citizens and permanent residents may request a fee waiver as part of the online application. For all other students (international) the fee is $155 (no waivers, no exceptions). Graduate Admissions manages the fee, not the program, so please contact them with questions.
• Three letters of recommendation, minimum (up to five are accepted): Letters of recommendation must be submitted online as part of the Graduate Division’s application process. Letters are also due November 30, so please inform your recommenders of this deadline and give them sufficient advance notice. It is your responsibility to monitor the status of your letters of recommendation (sending prompts, as necessary) in the online system.
• Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all relevant transcripts, uploaded as part of the online application (see application for details). Scanned copies of official transcripts are strongly preferred, as transcripts must include applicant and institution name and degree goal and should be easy for the reviewers to read (print-outs from online personal schedules can be hard to read and transcripts without your name and the institution name cannot be used for review). Do not send via mail official transcripts to Grad Division or Computational Biology, they will be discarded.
• Essays: Follow links to view descriptions of what these essays should include ( Statement of Purpose [2-3 pages], Personal Statement [1-2 pages]). Also review Tips tab for formatting advice.
• (Highly recommended) Applicants should consider applying for extramural funding, such as NSF Fellowships. These are amazing opportunities and the application processes are great preparation for graduate studies. Please see Financial Support tab.
• Read and follow all of the “Application Tips” listed on the last tab. This ensures that everything goes smoothly and you make a good impression on the faculty reviewing your file.

The GRE general test is not required. GRE subject tests are not required. GRE scores will not be a determining factor for application review and admission, and will NOT be seen by the CCB admissions committee. While we do not encourage anyone to take the exam, in case you decide to apply to a different program at Berkeley that does require them: the UC Berkeley school code is 4833; department codes are unnecessary. As long as the scores are sent to UC Berkeley, they will be received by any program you apply to on campus.

TOEFL/IELTS

Adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by those applicants applying from countries where English is not the official language. There are two standardized tests you may take: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL minimum passing scores are 90 for the  Internet-based test (IBT) , and 570 for the paper-based format (PBT) . The TOEFL may be waived if an international student has completed at least one year of full-time academic course work with grades of B or better while in residence at a U.S. university (transcript will be required). Please click here for more information .

Application Deadlines

The Application Deadline is 8:59 pm Pacific Standard Time, November 30, 2023 . The application will lock at 9pm PST, precisely. All materials must be received by the deadline. While rec letters can continue to be submitted and received after the deadline, the committee meets in early December and will review incomplete applications. TOEFL tests should be taken by or before the deadline, but self-reported scores are acceptable for review while the official scores are being processed. All submitted applications will be reviewed, even if materials are missing, but it may impact the evaluation of the application.

It is your responsibility to ensure and verify that your application materials are submitted in a timely manner. Please be sure to hit the submit button when you have completed the application and to monitor the status of your letters of recommendation (sending prompts, as necessary). Please include the statement of purpose and personal statement in the online application. While you can upload a CV, please DO NOT upload entire publications or papers. Please DO NOT send paper résumés, separate folders of information, or articles via mail. They will be discarded unread.

The Computational Biology Interview Visit dates will be: February 25-27, 2024

Top applicants who are being considered for admission will be invited to visit campus for interviews with faculty. Invitations will be made by early January. Students are expected to stay for the entire event, arriving in Berkeley by 5:30pm on the first day and leaving the evening of the final day. In the application, you must provide the names of between 7-10 faculty from the Computational Biology website with whom you are interested in conducting research or performing rotations. This helps route your application to our reviewers and facilitates the interview scheduling process. An invitation is not a guarantee of admission.

International students may be interviewed virtually, as flights are often prohibitively expensive.

Tips for the Application Process

Uploaded Documents: Be sure to put your name and type of essay on your essays ( Statement of Purpose [2-3 pages], Personal Statement [1-2 pages]) as a header or before the text, whether you use the text box or upload a PDF or Word doc. There is no minimum length on either essay, but 3 pages maximum is suggested. The Statement of Purpose should describe your research and educational background and aspirations. The Personal Statement can include personal achievements not necessarily related to research, barriers you’ve had to overcome, mentoring and volunteering activities, things that make you unique and demonstrate the qualities you will bring to the program.

Letters of Recommendation: should be from persons who have supervised your research or academic work and who can evaluate your intellectual ability, creativity, leadership potential and promise for productive scholarship. If lab supervision was provided by a postdoc or graduate student, the letter should carry the signature or support of the faculty member in charge of the research project. Note: the application can be submitted before all of the recommenders have completed their letters. It is your responsibility to keep track of your recommender’s progress through the online system. Be sure to send reminders if your recommenders do not submit their letters.

Extramural fellowships: it is to your benefit to apply for fellowships as they may facilitate entry into the lab of your choice, are a great addition to your CV and often provide higher stipends. Do not allow concerns about coming up with a research proposal before joining a lab prevent you from applying. The fellowships are looking for research potential and proposal writing skills and will not hold you to specific research projects once you have started graduate school.

Calculating GPA: Schools can differ in how they assign grades and calculate grade point averages, so it may be difficult for this office to offer advice. The best resource for calculating the GPA for your school is to check the back of the official transcripts where a guide is often provided or use an online tool. There are free online GPA conversion tools that can be found via an internet search.

Faculty Contact/Interests: Please be sure to list faculty that interest you as part of the online application. You are not required to contact any faculty in advance, nor will it assist with admission, but are welcome to if you wish to learn more about their research.

Submitting the application: To avoid the possibility of computer problems on either side, it is NOT advisable to wait until the last day to start and/or submit your application. It is not unusual for the application system to have difficulties during times of heavy traffic. However, there is no need to submit the application too early. No application will be reviewed before the deadline.

Visits: We only arrange one campus visit for recruitment purposes. If you are interested in visiting the campus and meeting with faculty before the application deadline, you are welcome to do so on your own time (we will be unable to assist).

Name: Please double check that you have entered your first and last names in the correct fields. This is our first impression of you as a candidate, so you do want to get your name correct! Be sure to put your name on any documents that you upload (Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement).

California Residency: You are not considered a resident if you hope to enter our program in the Fall, but have never lived in California before or are here on a visa. So, please do not mark “resident” on the application in anticipation of admission. You must have lived in California previously, and be a US citizen or Permanent Resident, to be a resident.

Faculty Leadership Head Graduate Advisor and Chair for the PhD & DE John Huelsenbeck ( [email protected] )

Associate Head Graduate Advisor for PhD & DE Liana Lareau ( [email protected] )

Equity Advisor Rasmus Nielsen ( [email protected] )

Director of CCB Elizabeth Purdom ( [email protected] )

Core PhD & DE Faculty ( link )

Staff support Student Services Advisor (GSAO): Kate Chase ( [email protected] )

Admissions Requirements for Bioinformatics Ph.D. Program

Thank you for your interest in the Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Graduate Program at UC San Diego. This is a full-time PhD program. Students are admitted as full-time PhD students. We do not admit "Masters-only" students.

Admission is in accordance with the general requirements of the graduate division. Candidates should have a quantitative or computational track record and a passion for working on challenging research questions in interdisciplinary areas across biology, medicine, computational sciences and engineering. The most competitive applicants have an undergraduate degree majoring in any of the disciplines in the biological sciences, the physical sciences, computer science, or mathematics, and a strong background in the complementary disciplines.

Applicants must apply online at  https://gradapply.ucsd.edu  and must submit a completed UC San Diego Application for Graduate Admission (use major code BF76). Applicants indicate their priority interest in the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Track or the Biomedical Informatics Track;  please see this page for further information on each track.

Fall 2024 Application Deadline: Wednesday November 29, 2023.  Applications with fee waiver requests are due a week earlier.

Please expand the sections below for more information.

Online application

UCSD offers an online application for the Bioinformatics & Systems Biology Graduate Program. Hard copy applications are not available. Apply online at  https://gradapply.ucsd.edu  (use major code  BF76 ). The online application system opens mid-September.

Students are only admitted during the fall quarter.  The Fall 2024 Application Deadline is Wednesday November 29, 2023.  Applications with fee waiver requests are due a week earlier.

Please send test scores to

• Institution Code  4836  (UC San Diego)
• GRE Department Code  0224  (Bioinformatics)
• TOEFL Department Code  69  (Engineering, other)

For further admission information, students should see the  Admissions FAQ  or contact the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology graduate coordinator via e-mail at  [email protected]  or at (858) 822-0831.

To check the status of application materials that you have submitted, please  email the Graduate Coordinator  with your Name, Date of Birth, and Email Address used on your application. An email containing the status of your application will ONLY provide information verifying receipt of supplementary materials (transcripts, letters, etc.). Official notification of admission is distributed directly from the campus-wide Graduate Education office (GEPA).

Application materials and admission review

Admission review will be on a competitive basis based on the combined elements of the application, which include:

• Undergraduate / graduate transcripts  (unofficial transcripts suffice for the application; English translation must accompany transcripts written in other languages)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores   (optional for Fall 2024 admissions cycle; see notes below)
• TOEFL scores  (required ONLY for international applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English)
• Statement of Purpose
• 3 Letters of Reference  from individuals who can attest to the academic competence and to the depth of the candidate’s interest in pursuing graduate study
• Curriculum Vitae
• Short answers to questions
• Additional Educational Experience ( optional ; categories include: Community Involvement, Leadership, Overcoming Adversity, Personal or Professional Ethics, Research, Social Justice Experience, Other).  These responses will also allow you to be considered for Graduate Division Fellowships.

All applications will be screened and evaluated by the Admissions Committee with input from program faculty. Important factors in the holistic review of the application include:

• Nature and quality of the undergraduate program
• Undergraduate track record and other scholastic achievements
• Preparation in quantitative and biomedical subject areas  (see for example)
• Proficiency with computation
• Previous research experience, if any
• Publications, if any
• Evidence of qualities needed for success in graduate programs such as motivation, initiative, independence, commitment, and career plans
• Interest in the program faculty
• Additional educational experience

Strong applications will demonstrate aptitude for critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, computational and/or research experience, community engagement, motivation, initiative and perseverance.

Notes for applications for Fall 2024 admissions

• Due to the impact of COVID-19, GRE General Test scores are optional for applications for Fall 2024 admissions.  We encourage applicants to use GRE scores to the best effect for their applications. For our program, GRE General Test scores are considered as evidence of quantitative and analytical reasoning abilities. We encourage reporting of scores that provide support for this. Further context can be provided in the Statement of Purpose.
• The application form for Fall 2024 admissions includes an optional COVID-19 Personal Statement section to address any impacts due to COVID-19.
• For applicants who are required to take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS, we have added additional options for applications for Fall 2024 admissions: the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition; and the IELTS Indicator. See more info  here.

Applicant Outreach Sessions

Are you an undergraduate who (i) is interested in learning about research as a career, or (ii) already has a passion for research and wants to learn more about the PhD path? If so, students of the UCSD Bioinformatics and Systems Biology PhD program are putting on a student-led info session aiming to:

• Encourage undergraduate students to consider PhD programs as one of the fastest paths to leadership positions in academia or industry. We go over common requirements for (i) most STEM PhD programs, (ii) typical requirements of Bioinformatics PhD programs, and (iii) the specific requirements of the UCSD Bioinformatics PhD program.  
• Raise awareness of the benefits of the PhD path. We want students to know that (i) you are paid a living wage as a PhD student, (ii) you typically don’t pay tuition for most Bioinformatics PhD programs, (iii) what the day-to-day life of a PhD researcher is like.  
• Provide mentorship (limited availability) to undergraduates who are interested in applying to the UCSD Bioinformatics PhD program. This includes either a one-on-one meeting with a current UCSD Bioinformatics and Systems Biology PhD student and/or a review of application materials. If the student doesn't have the experiences or the classwork yet, we will advise them how to gain those experiences so they can have a competitive application next year.

How do I sign up?

• The live info session will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 3pm PDT.
• One-on-one appointments and application advising will be available through mid-November 2023.
• sign up for the info session;
• sign up for a mentoring session;
• request an application review;
• or submit a question about the application process to current students.

Past info sessions

• Nov 2023: [video] [slides]
• Oct 2022: [video] [slides]
• Nov 2020: [video] [tips & resources from students]

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The Graduate Program in Bioinformatics

We are committed to increasing the representation of minorities in science. We believe that all of our students benefit from being part of a community where they can learn about each other’s backgrounds, cultures, religious beliefs, physical and mental abilities, political views and career aspirations. As ours was one of the first Bioinformatics graduate programs, we feel a particular responsibility to support highly qualified individuals who are underrepresented in science.

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Education & Training

Phd in bioinformatics and systems biology with emphasis in biomedical informatics.

The PhD curriculum for our trainees consists of formal instruction to provide the intellectual framework for conducting research.

Biomedical Informatics Core

• Informatics in Clinical Environments (MED 265): 1 Students are introduced to the basics of healthcare systems and clinical information needs through direct observation and classroom discussion. Students are introduced to medical language, disease processes, and health care practices to provide context prior to direct patient observation at primary, specialty, emergency, and inpatient sites in conjunction with clinical faculty affiliated with the training program. Students examine how clinicians use history-taking, physical examination and diagnostic testing to establish diagnoses and prognoses. Medical decision-making is introduced in the context of available informatics tools and clinical documentation and communication processes. Post-observation classroom discussions encourage students to think critically of the processes they observed and formulate hypotheses about how informatics solutions can modify the processes.
• Modeling Clinical Data and Knowledge for Computation (MED 267): This course describes existing methods for representing and communicating biomedical knowledge. The course describes existing health care standards and modeling principles required for implementing data standards, including biomedical ontologies, standardized terminologies, and knowledge resources.

1  Students with a clinical background will replace MED 265 with an additional course: Bioinformatics Applications to Human Disease (MED 263).

Bioinformatics Core

The core courses provide foundations in the biological basis of human health and disease and the statistical discovery of medical knowledge from biological experimentation. These classes are taken during the first year.

• Bioinformatics II (BENG 202) :  Introduction to methods for sequence analysis, applications to genome and proteome sequences, and protein structure and sequence-structure analysis.
• Principles of Biomedical Informatics (MED 264) : students are introduced to the fundamental principles of BMI and to the problems that define modern healthcare. The extent to which BMI can address healthcare problems is explored. Topics covered include structuring of data, computing with phenotypes, integration of molecular, image and other non-traditional data types into electronic medical records, clinical decision support systems, biomedical ontologies, data and communication standards, data aggregation, and knowledge discovery.
• Bioinformatics IV (MATH 283):  Analysis of modern genomic data, sequence analysis, gene expression/functional genomics analysis, and gene mapping/applied population genetics. The course focuses on statistical modeling and inference.

For the fourth core class, choose one of the following. In the event that a student completes two or more of these with suitable grades, one will count as core and the other(s) as electives.

• Algorithms in Computational Biology (CSE 280A): (Formerly CSE 206B) The course focuses on algorithmic aspects of modern bioinformatics and covers the following topics: computational gene hunting, sequencing, DNA arrays, sequence comparison, pattern discovery in DNA, genome rearrangements, molecular evolution, computational proteomics, and others. Prerequisites: CSE202 preferred or consent of instructor. 
• Algorithms for Biological Data Analysis (ECE 208): This course introduces a series of general algorithmic techniques but uses computational evolutionary biology as the context. The course motivates each algorithmic concept using a specific biological application related to evolution and focuses the discussion on specific types of (big) data available in modern biological studies. Note: The instructor and the BISB program are in the process of getting approval from the Graduate Council to introduce this as a course and to allow it as a core option. While we await approval, the course is offered under a temporary course number, ECE 286, by Prof. Siavash Mirarab, with the title "Algorithms for Biological Data Analysis." The course code ECE 286 may be used by other special topics courses as well, so be sure to enroll in the correct one.
• Genomics, Proteomics, and Network Biology (Bioinformatics III, BENG 203/CSE283): This is core in the BISB track. In the BMI track, it may be taken as the 4th core class or as an elective. Anotating genomes, characterizing functional genes, profiling, reconstructioning pathways.  Prerequisites: Pharm 201, BENG 202/CSE282, or consent of instructor. 

All students in years 1 and 2 must take both seminars in fall, winter, and spring quarters.

• Current Trends in Biomedical Informatics (MED 262): Weekly talks by researchers introduce students to current research topics within BMI. Speakers are drawn from academia, health care organizations, industry, and government.
• Bioinformatics Student Research Talks (BNFO 283) : Weekly presentations by Bioinformatics and Systems Biology students about Research Projects that are proposed or completed. Faculty mentors are present to contribute critiques and suggestions.

All students must take one of the two ethics courses by the end of second year. However, funding sources may require that it be taken first year, so we recommend taking it the first year.

• Scientific Ethics (SOMI 226): see below description
• Ethics in Scientific Research (BIOM 219): Overview of ethical issues in scientific research, conflicts of interest; national, statewide and campus issues and requirement; ethical issues in publications; authorship; retention of research records; tracing of research records; attribution; plagiarism; copyright considerations; primary, archival and meeting summary publications; ethical procedures and policies; NIH, NSF, California and UC San Diego; case studies and precedents in ethics.

Research and Teaching

During the academic year, all students must be enrolled in the appropriate research course for their level. Students typically do three rotations in year 1 (BNFO 298) and then do research units (BNFO 299) with their thesis advisor in years 2 and later. BNFO 299 units may be varied to meet the full-time enrollment requirement of 12 units per quarter in fall, winter, and spring.

• Teaching Assistantship (TA) (BNFO 500) :  Students will be a TA for two quarters during second or third year. To prepare for this teaching, students will receive training through the Center for Teaching Development at UCSD.
• Research Rotation (BNFO 298) : Taken each quarter during first year to help determine the thesis adviser.
• Graduate Research (BNFO 299): Independent work by graduate students engaged in research and writing theses. S/U grades only. May be taken for credit fifteen times.

Students must take 16 units of elective courses, including 8 units from the BMI series and 4 units from the CS series. The final 4 units can be taken from any series. The two BMI core courses MED 265 (or MED 263 for students with a clinical background) and MED 267 count as electives. Please check this  BISB curriculum page  for the list of all approved electives and elective series. 

Formal Progress to Degree

There are three formal evaluations that students must complete prior to being awarded a PhD degree: 

• Qualifying Examination:  This examination must be passed prior to the end of the student’s second year of study. The written portion of the exam consists of the student preparing an NIH or NSF-style research proposal. This proposal is then defended in an oral examination. Once the student passes the oral portion of the exam, the student is deemed to be qualified for advancing into PhD thesis research.
• Advancement to PhD Candidacy:  Upon completion of formal course requirements, each student is required to take a written and oral qualifying examination that admits the student to the candidacy of the PhD Program. The exam is administered by the dissertation committee, which consists of five faculty members.
• Final Examination:  All students defend their thesis in a final oral examination.

How to Apply

Application for admission to graduate studies is made directly through the Bioinformatics and Systems Biology website.

To be considered for the NLM fellowship, in addition to submitting your application and documentation to the degree program of your choice, please send the following to dbmi fellowship at ucsd dot edu:

• Personal Statement- explaining why you are a good candidate for the fellowship and what you hope to accomplish as an NLM trainee, the specific kind of research and topics you are interested in studying and what your goals are after completing the fellowship.
• A current and up to date CV; and
• In the body of your email please indicate which degree program you are applying to.

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Bioinformatics faculty

The Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Ph.D. Program is one of ten Home Areas within the UCLA Graduate Programs in Bioscience (GPB).  Home Areas consist of faculty and students with shared interest in research areas and approaches. Each interdepartmental Home Area is aligned with a Ph.D.-granting program, provides in depth, cutting-edge training, and offers access to a wide variety of exceptional faculty mentors. Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program with integrated one-year core curriculum , over 50 elective courses, and over 20 core bioinformatics faculty spanning life & physical sciences, the Schools of Medicine and Engineering.

• Prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply for admission  to the UCLA Bioinformatics Ph.D. program.
• UCLA undergraduates can get involved through the many undergraduate bioinformatics course offerings as well as an Undergraduate Minor program in Bioinformatics .
• UCLA Computer Science Masters students are encouraged to get involved through graduate courses in Bioinformatics which are applicable to their Masters program.
• There are plenty of opportunities for current UCLA students to get involved in bioinformatics research projects . Students from outside UCLA interested in research internships should contact Bioinformatics faculty directly.

What is the UCLA Bioinformatics Ph.D. Program?

We offer integrated doctoral training for students interested in working at the interface of computer science, biology, and mathematics to address the fundamental challenges of contemporary genomic-scale research.  Our interdisciplinary Ph.D. program consists of an integrated one-year core curriculum, research rotations, over 50 elective courses, and faculty mentors spanning biology, mathematics, engineering, and medicine.

What is Bioinformatics?

Bioinformatics can be defined broadly as the study of the inherent structure of biological information. Some of this inherent structure is very obvious (e.g., statistical patterns that reveal crucial functional regions such as genes), while others are less obvious but still immediately fruitful (e.g., how regulatory sequences give rise to “programs” of gene expression), while others are profound long-term challenges (e.g., how the genome encodes the capabilities of the human mind). Bioinformatics is the marriage of biology and the information sciences. Long term, this is a huge intellectual project. Fortunately, it is producing immediately valuable results now, e.g.:

• Statisticians have invented analyses of DNA microchip results (expression measurements of all 30,000 human genes simultaneously) that can distinguish different types of tumors with dramatically different treatment requirements, which previously were hard to differentiate clinically.
• Evolutionary biologists have developed bioinformatics analyses of genome sequence data that reveal the precise pathways by which dangerous pathogens (like HIV) evolve drug resistance, and how to slow the evolution of multi-drug resistance.
• Computer scientists have created powerful new ways for mapping brain functions automatically from standard imaging data.

UCLA Bioinformatics History

UCLA has a strong record of bioinformatics research and graduate training. In 1999 the faculty established a graduate core curriculum in bioinformatics, which has been offered continuously since that time, and recently has been greatly expanded, demonstrating the faculty’s commitment to collaborative teaching and to long-term development of an integrated bioinformatics program. These initiatives have been recognized by a large number of awards of multi-investigator Project and Training grants in bioinformatics from NIH, NSF, DOE and other funding sources.

The Bioinformatics IDP provides an academic home for bioinformatics at UCLA that brings together the many different disciplines that this field requires. Examples of current bioinformatics research conducted by the core faculty include:

• The analysis of gene and protein sequences to reveal protein evolution and alternative splicing
• The development of computational approaches to study and predict protein structure to further our understanding of function
• The analysis of mass spectrometry data to, for example, understand the connection between phosphorylation and cancer
• The development of computational methods to utilize expression data to reverse engineer gene networks in order to more completely model cellular biology
• The study of population genetics and its connection to human disease

Research strengths

The program involves over 45 core bioinformatics faculty leading research in:

• Prediction of protein structure, function, interaction networks
• Transcriptomics via RNAseq
• Epigenomics (high-throughput methylation profiling)
• Genome-wide association for disease genes
• Stochastic network inference and modeling
• Population genomics
• Bayesian phylogenetics and comparative genomics
• Genome evolution
• Algorithmic development for high-throughput data-mining
• Expression profiling
• Genomic-scale genotyping
• Next generation sequencers (e.g. pyrosequencing)
• Chemical informatics (diversity library screening)
• Proteomics (e.g. NMR, mass spectroscopy)
• Core facilities for advanced computing: The Center for Computational Biology provides one of the largest computational Grid clusters in Southern California.
• Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics
• Single campus that integrates schools of Medicine, Engineering, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Public Health.
• Extensive fellowship support

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Researchers awarded $4.7 million to study genomic variation in stem cell production, dr. nandita garud recognized for her research on gut microbiome, ucla study reveals how immune cells can be trained to fight infections, ucla scientists decode the ‘language’ of immune cells, dr. eran halperin elected as fellow of international society for computational biology, upcoming events, barbara cheifet seminar, chongzhi zang seminar, mia levine seminar, omolola (lola) ogunyemi seminar, angela brooks seminar, recent student publications.

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PhD in Bioinformatics Data Science

A Ph.D. in Bioinformatics Data Science will train the next-generation of researchers and professionals who will play a key role in multi- and interdisciplinary teams, bridging life sciences and computational sciences. Students will receive training in experimental, computational and mathematical disciplines through their coursework and research. Students who complete this degree will be able to generate and analyze experimental data for biomedical research as well as develop physical or computational models of the molecular components that drive the behavior of the biological system.

Students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of coursework, plus 3 credit hours of seminar, 6 credit hours of research and 9 credit hours of doctoral dissertation. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 33 credits. Students who are admitted directly after a B.S. degree will be required to complete up to 9 additional credits in order to fulfill the core curriculum in the following areas: Database Systems, Statistics, and Introduction to Discipline. In addition, if students entering the program with an M.S. degree are lacking equivalent prerequisites, they also will be required to complete courses in these three areas; however, these courses may fulfill the elective requirement in the Ph.D. program, if approved in the program of study.

Academic Load

PhD students holding research assistantships (or teaching) are considered full-time with 6 credit hours . Students without RA or TA  are considered full-time if enrolled in at least 9 credit hours or in sustaining credit. Those enrolled for fewer than 9 credit hours are considered part-time students. Generally, a maximum load is 12 graduate credit hours; however, additional credit hours may be taken with the approval of the student’s adviser and the Graduate College. A maximum course load in either summer or winter session is 7 credit hours. Permission must be obtained from the Graduate College to carry an overload in any session. 

Bioinformatics Data Science Courses

Students must take one course in each of the following areas (9 credits):

Prerequisites

Students must fulfill core curriculum in each of the following areas (3-9 credits):

Elective Courses

Students must take two courses to compliment their bioinformatics data science dissertation project (6 credits): 

See Elective courses

Students must take six semesters of seminar (three 0 credit; three 1 credit) and give a presentation during three semesters.

Other Requirements:

• Formation of Graduate Dissertation Committee
• Successful completion of Graduate Preliminary Exam
• Research on a significant scientific problem
• Successful completion of Ph.D. Candidacy Exam
• Successful completion of Dissertation Defense

Formation of Graduate Committee

The student needs to establish a Dissertation Committee within the first year of study. The Committee should consist of at least four faculty members, including the primary faculty advisor (serving as the Committee Chair), a secondary faculty advisor (in a complementary field to the primary advisor), a second faculty from the home department, and one CBCB affiliate faculty outside the Departments of the primary and secondary advisors or from outside the University. Students must complete the Dissertation Committee Formation form and submit to the Associate Director.

Students should convene their dissertation committee at least once every six months.

Preliminary Examination

The preliminary examination should be taken before the end of the fourth semester and will consist of an oral exam in subjects based on the Bioinformatics Data Science core.* In recognition of the importance of the core curriculum in providing a good test of the student’s knowledge, students must achieve a minimum 3.0 GPA in the core curriculum before taking the preliminary exam. Students will not be permitted to take the preliminary examination if the core grade requirements and cumulative GPA of 3.0 has not been achieved. The exam will be administered by the Preliminary Exam Committee , which will consist of one instructor from each of the three core courses. Each member of the Committee will provide a single grade (pass, conditional pass or fail) and the final grades will be submitted via the Results of Preliminary Exam Form :

• Pass . The student may proceed to the next stage of his/her degree training.
• Conditional pass . In the event that the examination committee feels that the student did not have an adequate background or understanding in one or more specific areas, the Preliminary Exam Committee will communicate the conditional pass to the student and must provide the student with specific requirements and guidelines for completing the conditional pass. The student must inform the Preliminary Exam Committee, the Graduate Program Director and Program Committee when these conditions have been completed. The Preliminary Exam Committee will then meet with the student to ensure all recommendations have been completed and whether a re-examination is necessary. If required, the re-examination will be done using the same format and prior to the beginning of the next academic semester. If the student still does not perform satisfactorily on this re-examination, he/she will then be recommended to the Graduate Affairs Committee for dismissal from the graduate program.
• Failure . This outcome would indicate that the Examination Committee considers the student incapable of completing degree training. The student’s academic progress will be reviewed by the Graduate Affairs Committee, who will make recommendations to the Program Director regarding the student’s enrollment status. The Program Director may recommend to the Graduate College that the student be dismissed from the Program immediately.

*Students who need to complete prerequisite courses may request a deadline extension for the preliminary and subsequently the candidacy examination. Requests must be submitted to the Graduate Program Committee prior to the start of the third semester.

Candidacy Exam

The candidacy examination must be completed by the end of the sixth semester of enrollment.* It requires a formal, detailed proposal be submitted to the Dissertation Committee and an oral defense of the student’s proposed research project. Upon the recommendation of the Dissertation Committee, the student may be admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. The stipulations for admission to doctoral candidacy are that the student has (i) completed one academic years of full-time graduate study in residence at the University of Delaware, (ii) completed all required courses with the exception of BINF865 and BINF969, (iii) passed the preliminary exams, (iv) demonstrated the ability to perform research, and (v) had a research project accepted by the Dissertation Committee. Within one week of the candidacy exam, complete and submit the Recommendation for Candidacy for Doctoral Degree form for details. A copy of the completed form should be given to the Associate Director.

*Students who need to complete prerequisite courses may request a deadline extension for the preliminary and subsequently the candidacy examination.  Requests must be submitted to the Graduate Program Committee prior to the start of the third semester.

Dissertation Exam

The dissertation examination of the Ph.D. program will involve the approval of the written dissertation and an oral defense of the candidate’s dissertation.  The written dissertation will be submitted to the Dissertation Committee and the CBCB office at least three weeks in advance of the oral defense date.  The oral defense date will be publicly announced at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date. The oral presentation will be open to the public and all members of the Bioinformatics Data Science program. The Dissertation Committee will approve the candidate’s dissertation. The student and the primary faculty advisor will be responsible for making all corrections to the dissertation document and for meeting all Graduate College deadlines.  Within one week of the dissertation defense, complete and submit the Certification of Doctoral Dissertation Defense Form. A copy of the completed form should be given to the Associate Director.

Bioinformatics (Ph.D.)

Focus: preparing graduate students to reach the forefront of leadership in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology; and integrating research and education on the use of information technologies in biology and medicine.

Bioinformatics PhD

Interested in a bioinformatics phd.

Our goal is to prepare highly selected students for productive research careers in genetics. Because of the central role played by genetics in all biological processes and the vastly expanding applications of genetics to virtually every aspect of modern society we believe that it is as important for our students to develop a broad perspective as it is for them to become experts in a specific area. A broad perspective is indispensable for the formulation of long-term career goals as well as for productive collaborations that have become such an integral part of modern research. While developing a broad base through appropriate courses, first-year students participate in eight-week research rotations in faculty laboratories of their choice. These rotations provide the basis for selecting the area of genetics in which the student will become an expert. Seminar courses occurring each semester focus on current topics in genetics and molecular biology and are presented by investigators within and outside of Emory. We also believe that strong presentation and communication skills are critical to becoming a top-notch scientist. As such, GMB students present periodic progress reports on their own research to the assembled Program. In summary, the GMB graduate program strives to educate and train tomorrow's top geneticists today.

The Student Experience

To provide the basis for advanced research, introductory courses covering both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems are taken in the first year. First-year students obtain practical research training by participating in eight-week rotations in the investigators' laboratories of their choice. These rotations provide the basis for selecting dissertation topics and mentors. After completing the first year, students tailor their curriculum from a large list of specialized courses in genetics and molecular biology, as well as other areas of current biological sciences. All courses emphasize critical thinking, constructive literature evaluation, and presentation skills. Seminar courses occurring each semester focus on current topics in genetics and molecular biology and are presented by investigators within and outside of Emory. Students also present their findings in research-in-progress meetings, which are attended by their peers and the faculty. Student invited speakers, small group teaching experiences, and training in the ethical conduct of research round out the overall list of activities that occur as students conduct research and prepare their dissertation.

Research Opportunities For Bioinformatics PhD

Research interests of the faculty vary in topic, approach and model organism. This interdepartmental graduate program derives its faculty from eight different departments including those from the departments of Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Human Genetics, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology, and the Winship Cancer Institute. More on Research Opportunities...

Training Opportunities

The graduate program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) at Emory University offers an exciting broad based training in the fields of genetics and molecular biology and their related disciplines of biochemistry, bioinformatics, cell biology, developmental biology and statistics. Research interests of the faculty vary in topic, approach and model organism. This interdepartmental graduate program derives its faculty from ten different departments including those from the departments of Human Genetics, Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology, and the Winship Cancer Institute. A wide range of research opportunities in bacterial, viral, human and eukaryotic model system genetics enable students to specialize in their area of interest while obtaining an essential foundation in genetics. Areas of emphasis listed below are supported by state-of-the-art research facilities.

Research programs of the faculty fall into six major areas:

• Regulation of Gene Expression
• Development and Differentiation
• Cancer Genetics and Biology
• Human and Medical Genetics
• Bioinformatics and Comparative Genomics
• Genome Structure, Replication, Recombination And Repair

Best Undergraduate Bioinformatics/Biotechnology Programs

Bioinformatics/biotechnology focuses on applying computational methods to solve problems and yield insights in fields like biology and medicine. Students pursuing these topics may delve into genetics, bioengineering and mathematical modeling. These are the best undergraduate computer science programs for biocomputing/bioinformatics/biotechnology. Read the methodology »

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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA

• #1 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #1 in Computer Science

Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

(fall 2022)

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University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, CA

• #2 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #14 in Computer Science  (tie)

The University of California, San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the university hosts a thriving Greek community. All freshmen are eligible for guaranteed on-campus housing for two years, but they are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium and is home to the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which tests structures’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes.

(out-of-state)

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

• #3 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #2 in Computer Science  (tie)

Carnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science and fine arts.

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

• #4 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #18 in Computer Science  (tie)

Johns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at Hopkins compete at the Division III level.

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

• #5 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology

The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

• #6 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology

The University of California, Berkeley overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Students at this public school have more than 1,000 groups to get involved in, including more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters.

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

• #7 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology

The University of California, Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor's degree programs and 97 minors.

Duke University

• #8 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #23 in Computer Science  (tie)

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

Harvard University

• #9 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• #11 in Computer Science  (tie)

Harvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, CA

• #10 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology  (tie)
• #6 in Computer Science  (tie)

The California Institute of Technology focuses on science and engineering education and has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 3:1. This private institution in Pasadena, California, is actively involved in research projects with grants from NASA, the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

The ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.

Yale University

New Haven, CT

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

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More Schools in this List (Alphabetical)

Cornell University

• in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
• in Computer Science

Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.

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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL

The University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school's Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts one of the largest Greek systems in the country, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,600 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.

College of Science

Bioinformatics.

The Master of Science in Bioinformatics seeks to provide students with core knowledge in bioinformatics programming, integrating knowledge from the biological, computational, and mathematical disciplines.

Northeastern University is committed to delivering cutting-edge programs that foster interdisciplinary thinking, research, and the pursuit of innovation-driven discoveries that have an impact on lives. That commitment and vision are at the very core of the MS in Bioinformatics. The program’s cross-disciplinary training prepares graduates to succeed in multiple roles in this new and growing field.

Combining challenging academics in biology, computer science, and information technology with real-world experience, the program helps students integrate the knowledge, skills, experience, and confidence they need to achieve their goals and make a difference in our world. The Master of Science in Bioinformatics is structured to provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop, evaluate, and deploy bioinformatics and computational biology applications. The program is designed to prepare students for employment in the biotechnology sector, where the need for knowledgeable life scientists with quantitative and computational skills has exploded in the past decade.

Available concentrations include:

• Bioinformatics Enterprise:  This concentration integrates business and management skills with the science of bioinformatics.
• Biotechnology:  This option provides students without a biotechnology background with a strong foundation in basic biotech concepts and skills.
• Omics:  This concentration prepares students to analyze large datasets related to genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and evolving new omics fields.

Students are not required to declare a concentration. With the  coursework option , students select 12 credits of electives in place of concentration-specific courses.

More Details

Unique features.

• Courses run in the evening to accommodate working professionals.
• Students gain up to six months of work experience through co-op positions.
• With only one additional class, a student can also earn a graduate certificate in data science.
• Northeastern graduates had a 94% employment rate in industry or research in the last three years.

Program Objectives

• Attain core knowledge in bioinformatics programming.
• Integrate knowledge from biological, computational, and mathematical disciplines.
• Gain professional work experience via co-op.

About the Region

The San Francisco Bay Area—home to top-ranking medical research institutions—is the birthplace of the biotech sector and the regional healthcare center. The career applications for bioinformatics are plentiful across these intersecting and mutually supportive industries, with the life sciences generating $100 billion in economic output in 2021 (California Life Sciences Sector Report). 

Testimonials

–amoolya srinivasa, master of science in bioinformatics '23, –nicolette lee, master of science in bioinformatics '20, looking for something different.

A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern—a top-ranked university—can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and hands-on professional experience in the area of your interest. Apply now—and take your career to the next level.

Program Costs

Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.

How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.

Requirements

• Online application
• Application fee
• Transcripts from all institutions attended
• Personal statement
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Degree earned or in progress at a U.S. institution
• Degree earned or in progress at an institution where English is the only medium of instruction
• Official exam scores from either the TOEFL iBT (institution code is 3682), IELTS, PTE exam, or Duolingo English Test. Scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.

Learn more about applying to the College of Science.

Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.

Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Science admissions process, policies, and required materials.

Admissions Dates

Learn more about applying to the College of Science and our admissions deadlines .

Industry-aligned courses for in-demand careers.

For 100+ years, we’ve designed our programs with one thing in mind—your success. Explore the current program requirements and course descriptions, all designed to meet today’s industry needs and must-have skills.

View curriculum

Students in the MS in Bioinformatics program gain real-world knowledge, awareness, perspective, and confidence during a three- or six-month graduate co-op in industry or academia. As a recognized leader in experiential learning and a trusted source of high-caliber students, Northeastern enjoys relationships with more than 3,000 public- and private-sector employers on seven continents. 

Our Faculty

Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.

By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

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