http://www.bioinformatics.rit.edu/

Program overview

Bioinformatics represents the marriage of biotechnology and the computing sciences. Bioinformaticists use computers to analyze, organize, and visualize biological data in ways that increase our understanding of this data and lead to new discoveries. Graduates receiving the BS degree are well-qualified for many rewarding careers, including those in bioinformatics software development, biomedical research, biotechnology, comparative genomics, genomics, molecular imaging, pharmaceutical research and development, proteomics, and vaccine development.

The bioinformatics program is a truly interdisciplinary degree and its curriculum was developed by faculty in the departments of biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics and statistics, and information technology, with the guidance of individuals in the bioinformatics and biotechnology industries. The program meets the needs of prospective employers in this challenging and rapidly changing field.

Requirements for the BS degree in bioinformatics

Students must meet the minimum graduation requirements of the university as described in this bulletin. In addition, the program requires successful completion of all the courses listed in the typical course schedule, plus one cooperative education experience.

Cooperative education

The program requires the completion of one cooperative education experience. This experience permits the student to participate in applied bioinformatics, using current technologies to gain a practical perspective. More than 65 organizations in industry, government, and academia employ our students in short-term (10-20 week), full-time paid positions. Co-op positions can be held during the summer and/or the regular academic year. No tuition is charged for co-op participation. If a student elects to pursue co-op during the regular academic year, he or she will take the same number of academic class terms and may need to extend the date of graduation beyond the traditional four years.

Accelerated dual degree option

The BS program may be combined with the MS program in bioinformatics, allowing undergraduate students to acquire both degrees in as few as five years. Undergraduate students with a minimum overall GPA of 3.2 may apply to the bioinformatics committee for entry before the completion of their third year of study. Students in the combined option are required to take graduate-level courses during their fourth year and complete an approved MS thesis during their final year of study.