2010-2011 University Catalog 
  
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2010-2011 University Catalog

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, PhD

Banner Code:  SC-PHD-BCB

The main objective of the doctoral program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology is to educate the next generation of computational biologists for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with interdisciplinary academic training that includes fundamental bioscience courses as well as core and advanced courses in bioinformatics. In general, course requirements may be completed within the first two years. The program is structured to be accessible for full- and part-time students.

This program of study is offered by the College of Science.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in biology, computer science, or a related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.25. Admission also requires minimum GRE scores of 1,100 (verbal plus quantitative) and 4.00 (analytical writing). Applicants should have taken courses in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, calculus, physical chemistry, computer programming and data structures, and probability and statistics. Students with deficiencies in one or more of these areas may be admitted provisionally and required to take additional courses, some of which may not be applicable to the 48-credit course total for the bioinformatics PhD. Students whose undergraduate record does not include basic biochemistry will be required to take a basic course prior to BINF 701 Biochemical Systematics (Biochemistry).

To apply, prospective students should forward a completed Mason graduate application, two copies of official transcripts from each college and graduate institution attended, a current résumé, and an expanded goals statement to the COS Graduate Admissions Processing Center. Applicants should also include three letters of recommendation and an official report of scores obtained on the GRE-GEN. The GRE-SUB is recommended if it is given in the student’s undergraduate major. The GRE requirement for admission to the doctoral programs will be waived if the student holds a master’s degree from a U.S. institution. TOEFL scores are required of all international applicants.

Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy all requirements for doctoral degrees expressed in the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

The program requires 72 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 48 credits in course work and 24 credits of dissertation research. For those holding master’s degrees, the 72 required credits may be reduced by up to 30 credits, depending on graduate courses completed. The curriculum includes 6 credits of fundamental biosciences courses; 13 credits of core bioinformatics courses; 3 credits of lab rotation; 3 credits of colloquium; 23 credits of electives or independent research; and 24 credits of dissertation research.

Fundamental Bioscience Courses (6 credits):

Core Bioinformatics Courses (13 credits):

General Electives (23 credits):

23 credits of approved general electives or independent research.

Lab Rotation (3 credits):

taken three times:

Colloquium (3 credits):

taken three times:

Doctoral Committee and Advancement to Candidacy

By the end of the semester when course work is completed, the student must form a doctoral committee, which will supervise the candidacy exam. The exam includes written and oral components. On passing the candidacy exam and submitting an acceptable dissertation proposal, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy.

Research (24 credits):

Note: no more than 24 combined credits from BINF 998 and BINF 999 may be applied toward satisfying doctoral degree requirements, with no more than 12 credits of BINF 998.

Doctoral Dissertation

After advancing to doctoral candidacy, the student works on their doctoral dissertation while enrolled in BINF 999. The dissertation should represent a significant contribution that is suitable for publication in a refereed scientific journal. The dissertation must be defended in a public forum before the dissertation committee and other interested faculty.

Total: 72 credits