The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Certificate is open to graduate students with a background in life sciences. The certificate emphasizes acquiring biological and computational expertise by supplementing graduate students’ experiences with the necessary training in scripting and analysis of DNA/RNA sequencing data on a high-performance computing cluster.

The courses offered focus on applying computer-based technologies to biological, biomedical, and biotechnology research. It includes instruction in database management, data mining, experimental design and analysis applications, and specific quantitative and analytical studies in the genetic and genomic sciences. Students completing the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Certificate will possess an array of skills: the ability to manage, interpret, and analyze large data sets; broad knowledge of bioinformatics analysis methodologies; familiarity with functional genetic and genomic data; and expertise in standard bioinformatics software packages and algorithms using command-line interfaces.

Overall, this certificate will enhance graduate student training by strengthening their critical thinking, ability to communicate scientific concepts and analytical reasoning.

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Credit Hours
BIOL 683	Experimental Design in Biology	3
GENE 657	Command Line Skills 1	3
Select 9 hours from the following:		9
BIOL 651	Bioinformatics
GENE 656	Bioinformatics - Metagenomics Data Analysis
GENE 658	Differential Gene Expression
GENE 659	Genome Assembly
GENE 689	Special Topics in...
MPHY 624	Biostatistics
MPHY 625	Bioinformatics
STAT 645	Applied Biostatistics and Data Analysis
STAT 646	Statistical Bioinformatics
STAT 651	Statistics in Research I
STAT 652	Statistics in Research II
Total Semester Credit Hours		15

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GENE 657 must be taken first. The other GENE courses offered may be taken in any other order.