Statistics and Applied Mathematics Track III: Bioinformatics

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Admission Requirements for Track III: Bioinformatics

The general college admission requirements must be satisfied. These include the Graduate Record Examination and two letters of recommendation. In addition, the department requires one semester of Linear Algebra (MATH 26000) and one semester of Multivariate Calculus (MATH 25000). The department’s requirements are minimal. They are intended to encourage students without a previous specialization in mathematics to pursue a degree in statistics and applied mathematics.

The Bioinformatics track allows students with career plans in the biomedical sciences and without a previous specialization in mathematics to pursue a degree in statistics and applied mathematics. In addition to the above departmental requirements for admission to the MA program in Statistics and Applied Mathematics, it is required that the student have an adequate undergraduate training in biological sciences, chemistry, or related fields, as well as strong computer programming skills. The following track requirements, or their equivalents, are the minimal requirements that the student must meet in order to enter the Bioinformatics track:

1. One semester of introductory biology (BIOL 10000 or equivalent)

2. One year of general chemistry (CHEM 10200-10500 or equivalent)

3. One semester of organic chemistry (CHEM 22200 or equivalent)

4. One semester of biological chemistry (BIOL 30000 or equivalent)

5. Familiarity with UNIX and database programming (CSCI 13200-23200 or equivalent)

Degree Requirements for Track III: Bioinformatics

*Thirty credits (10 courses) chosen as follows:

Core Curriculum** (15 credits, 5 courses)

Electives (12 credits, 4 courses)

Four graduate courses in biology, chemistry, or related fields. These must constitute a cohesive curriculum in bioinformatics, and must be approved by the Graduate Bioinformatics Adviser.

Suggested electives in the natural sciences are:

Project (3 credits, 1 course)

The student, guided by a member of the faculty, prepares a project in bioinformatics. The student presents the results to faculty and students in a seminar during the student’s final semester. This replaces the comprehensive examination requirement.

The student must exhibit a working knowledge of two useful computer languages or data analysis packages. This replaces the foreign language requirement.

STAT 79000 - Case Seminar

Notes

For further information on the MA in Bioinformatics, please contact the statistics adviser.

*The 30 credits (10 courses) must be approved by an adviser and constitute a concentration.
**Courses already taken as an undergraduate will satisfy specific course requirements but are not included in the 30-credit (10-course) total.