Learn to analyze Big Data to solve biological problems

This fully-online program is a concentration within the M.S. Biological Sciences Program. The concentration is a 1.5-year program with courses starting in the Fall of every year and ending the Fall of the second year (3 semesters). The Bioinformatics concentration shares a core curriculum with all concentrations in the MS Biological Sciences Program.

This MS concentration heavily emphasizes computation, line command coding, and programming as it applies to biological problems and questions. The curriculum is ultimately designed to prepare graduates for successful employment in the broad field of computational biology.

Concentration learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in handling and analyzing biocentric data in at least one specialty area of bioinformatics
  • Construct line command and application coding in various programming languages to manipulate large biological datasets
  • Develop an understanding on how biological and genetic data and their analyses by bioinformatics tools has a growing impact on modern society and daily lives
  • Navigate and apply diverse, modern biological databases and software
  • Apply current basic bioinformatics and genomics (genotypic) methods to solve actual (phenotypic) biological problems
professor pointing at computer with student

Quick Facts

Curriculum

NSU’s M.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics is a lock-step program with 30 total credits to complete. You will be required to complete the curriculum in the order set in the curriculum plan.

Start Dates

The M.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics start date: Fall 2023.

Delivery Options

Classes for the M.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics are offered fully online.

Tuition

Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.

Application Deadline

Fall 2024 Application Deadline is Friday, July 19th, 2024.

Career Outcomes

Bioinformatician / Informatician

$88,357 Median Salary Per Year

Computational Biologist

$98,721 Median Salary Per Year

Genomics Research Scientist

$100,402 Median Salary Per Year

Source: Salary.com

Biological Sciences - Bioinformatics Curriculum

Semester One - Fall (12 credits)
Credits
MATG 5005
Statistical Inference (MATG 5005 / Credits: 3 )
3
BCOR 5585
Genomics (BCOR 5585 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 5900
Biological Data Science (BMME 5900 / Credits: 3 )
3
BMME 8053
Introduction to Bioinformatics (BMME 8053 / Credits: 3 )
3
Semester Two - Winter (9 credits)
Credits
MSIT 501
Foundations of Programming, Data Structures and Algorithms (MSIT 501 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSBI 5910
Metagenomics (MSBI 5910 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSBI 5920
Transcriptomics (MSBI 5920 / Credits: 3 )
3
Semester Three - Fall (9 credits)
Credits
BCOR 5000
Graduate Seminar (BCOR 5000 / Credits: 3 )
3
MSBI 5930
Machine Learning for Biology (MSBI 5930 / Credits: 3 )
3
SELECT ONE FROM THE FOLLOWING ELECTIVES ( )
BMME 6000
GIS and Environmental Remote Sensing (BMME 6000 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 630
Database Management and Applications (MMIS 630 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 621
Information Systems Project Management (MMIS 621 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 643
Data Mining (MMIS 630 is a pre-req) (MMIS 643 / Credits: 3 )
3
MMIS 671
Data Analytics (MMIS 671 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 502
Mathematics in computing (CISC 502 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 670
Artificial Intelligence (CISC 670 / Credits: 3 )
3
CISC 672
Information visualization (CISC 672 / Credits: 3 )
3
OR ( )
Prior approval from the Department of Biological Sciences ( )

For specific course requirements, refer to the “M.S. in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Bioinformatics Program" in NSU's Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student catalog.

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Halmos College of Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

Admissions Requirements

  1. NSU Graduate Application 
  2. Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in a STEM field of study from an accredited institution or an approved degree credentialing agency for international students
  3. Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  4. Major GPA of at least 3.0
  5. Two letters of recommendation from a STEM faculty member or STEM-related job supervisor
  6. International students must meet the English proficiency requirements
  7. GRE, MCAT, DAT, OAT, or PCAT scores required
  8. Upper-level undergraduate coursework in programming, genomics, bioinformatics, or data science. Industry experience may substitute for coursework

Graduate Open House

Join us on Friday, March 15th at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about Biological Sciences, including careers within the field, NSU graduate degree offerings, and the application process.

This event is free and open for all to attend. You may register for the Open House here.

Program directors and department faculty from the Department of Biological Sciences and NSU Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions will be in attendance to answer your questions about your program(s) of interest.

Program Director and Admissions Staff

Matthew Johnston, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Image of Matthew Johnston

Emily Schmitt Lavin

Department Chair and Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Image of Emily Schmitt Lavin

Megan Troy

Assistant Director
Halmos Graduate Admissions
Image of Megan Troy

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