2009-2010 University Catalog 
  
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2009-2010 University Catalog

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, PhD

Banner Code:  SC-PHD-BCB

Recent advances in molecular biology have produced an avalanche of data, including DNA sequences and genetic maps that cover thousands of genes whose functions are poorly understood or completely unknown. These advances are having a profound effect on the biological sciences and have resulted in the development of the new discipline of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics uses computational approaches to analyze patterns in biological data and create complex models of biological activity, including attempts to elucidate the functions of genes and their interactions in genetic pathways. Widespread social benefits are expected from the exploitation of the wealth of new knowledge concerning the genetic mechanisms of life and related processes. The coming years will see major developments in medicine, functional genomics, and environmental sciences, as well as profound advances in understanding the fundamental processes of biology. These benefits are increasingly dependent on the application of advanced information technology to the analysis of biological information.

The program’s main objective is to train the next generation of computational biologists for careers in academia, industry, and government. The program provides students with an interdisciplinary academic environment, including fundamental biosciences courses and 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.

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 from the undergraduate curriculum. 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 is divided into four areas: 12 credits of fundamental biosciences courses; 13 credits of core bioinformatics courses; 23 credits of electives or independent research; and 24 credits of dissertation research. The course work is organized as follows:

Fundamental bioscience courses:

plus 3 credits each of:

Core bioinformatics courses:

General electives

Note:

Students whose undergraduate record does not include basic biochemistry will be required to take a basic course prior to BINF 701 Biochemical Systematics (Biochemistry). If the undergraduate record is otherwise insufficient, students may
be required to take prerequisite courses, some of which may not be applicable to the 48-credit course total for the  bioinformatics PhD. 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.