“Bioinformatics is the rapidly-developing field that applies computational methods to address biological questions, and includes new advances in computer science, mathematics, and biology. Students entering the field of bioinformatics should have some training in each of these fields.”

The minor is designed for students pursuing a BS who would have the necessary prerequisites for the required courses. Students pursuing a BA may participate if the prerequisites for the required courses are fulfilled. Each department (Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics) will designate a minor advisor. The student’s minor advisor will be chosen from outside of their major area of study.

Required courses:

• BIO 110 General Biology (3 hrs)

• BIO 211 Cellular Biology (4 hrs) or BIO 231 General Genetics (3 hrs)

• BIO 331 Molecular Genetics (3 hrs)

• CMP SC 53, 54 Introductory Programming, Introductory Programming Lab (4 hrs)

• CMP SC 153 Data Structures I (3 hrs)

• CMP SC 238 File Structure and Introduction to Database Systems (3 hrs)

• BIO 311/CMP SC 311 Bioinformatics (3 hrs) (It is strongly recommended that this course be taken after the other BIO and CMP SC requirements)

• STAT 325 Biostatistics (4 hrs) or STAT 346 Regression Analysis (3 hrs) or STAT 353 Statistical Data Analysis (3 hrs

• One additional course, 200 or above in MATH, or 300 or above in BIO or CMP SC, outside of the major area of study, and as agreed upon by the minor advisor (3+ hrs)