Bioinformatics

Joint-Degree Program with Marquette University
Marquette University Program Co-Director and Associate Professor, Daniel Rowe, PhD

Bioinformatics Courses  |  Required Courses  |  Elective Courses

Program Description
This interdisciplinary program is jointly offered by Marquette University and the Medical College of Wisconsin. The program prepares students for a multidisciplinary career in the biomedical sciences using mathematics, statistics, and computer science. It is designed to provide students quantitative tools for analyzing data and problems associated with molecular, cellular, physiological, and particularly, genetic systems. Students may select courses from a list of approved courses offered by the following departments at Marquette: Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science; Biology; Biomedical Engineering: and Electrical and Computer Engineering. In addition, courses are offered by the Department of Physiology and the Division of Biostatistics at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The program meets the needs of recent undergraduates seeking an advanced degree as well as employed professionals interested in opportunities for career advancement. Students may pursue the degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Many courses are offered in the evening.

Degree Offered
Master of Science

Program Admissions Requirements
In addition to the general Graduate School admission requirements, this program has additional specific requirements

Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants with degrees in a wide range of scientific areas will be considered. These areas include: biological and medical science, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering and physical sciences.

• Basic understanding of one of the life sciences and/or computer science, mathematics or engineering.
   
• Basic biology or chemistry: sufficient preparation in biology and chemistry for a biochemistry or biochemical course carrying graduate credit. it is suggested that students have: at least two (2) semesters of biology and two (2) semesters of organic chemistry or one (1) semester of biology, the second semester of organic chemistry and the first semester of biochemistry.
   
• Data structures and programming: sufficient preparation in computer science for a computer science course carrying graduate credit. This would generally be one semester of Structured Programming and one semester of Data Structures.
   
• One semester of calculus

Program Degree Requirements

Thesis option: Students must complete 30 credit hours of coursework, of which at least 18 credit hours (six courses) must be earned in graduate (6000-level or above MU) courses and six credits earned as thesis credits. The thesis will follow the standards set at the host department, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science (MSCS) at Marquette University. The MSCS department assigns a thesis advisor and requires a thesis committee of three. The thesis advisors may be from any of the participating departments (MU: MSCS, EECE, BIEN, BIOL), or Medical College Graduate Faculty members. Students will be asked to consult with their advisor, practicum mentor, and the listed faculty to determine who might act as thesis advisor. The student may use the same advisor for both practicum and thesis.

Non-Thesis Option: Students must complete 36 credit hours of course work of which at least 18 credit hours (six courses) must be earned in graduate (6000-level or above) courses.

For each option: The minimal requirements consist of 21 credits:

• Six credits for Bioinformatics I (17201-MCW) and Bioinformatics II (17202-MCW)
   
• Three credits for Bioinformatics Research Practicum (17294 – MCW)
   
• Minimum of six credits from list of COMPUTING courses at the 6000-level.
   
• Minimum of six credits from list of BIO courses at the 6000-level MU. Students will also attend the Bioinformatics Seminar for at least three semesters. Remaining courses may be taken from either the computing or bio list.

Medical College Course Registration for Joint-Degree Program
Joint-Degree Program students will register at the Medical College of Wisconsin for any Medical College courses. For Medical College registration procedure see information for Joint-Degree Programs.

* Indicates Marquette University course number. All Marquette University courses require an off-campus course registration procedure.
 

Bioinformatics Courses

17201A  Bioinformatics I
17202B  Bioinformatics II
17250A  Seminar in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
17294A  Practicum for Research and Development in Bioinformatics I
17294B  Practicum for Research and Development in Bioinformatics II

Required Courses

17201 – Bioinformatics I: Introduction to Bioinformatics. 3 credits.
This class is intended for students in the Bioinformatics Program. Only Bioinformatics students will be admitted at first. MS in Computing students and others may go on a waiting list and admitted as space allows.

17202 – Bioinformatics II: Theory and Applications. 3 credits.
This class is intended for students in the Bioinformatics Program. Only Bioinformatics students will be admitted at first. MS in Computing students and others may go on a waiting list and admitted as space allows.

17294A Practicum for Research and Development in Bioinformatics I. 3 credits.
This course will provide students who are enrolled in the MS in Bioinformatics Program the opportunity to participate in bioinformatics research within a biomedical laboratory. Three credits may be counted toward graduation.

17294B Practicum for Research and Development in Bioinformatics II. 3 credits.
This course will provide students who are enrolled in the MS in Bioinformatics Program the opportunity to participate in bioinformatics research within a biomedical laboratory. Three credits may be counted toward graduation.

Elective Courses

Lists of approved computing and bio courses are available on the Bioinformatics Program Web site.