This bioinformatics program consists of a core curriculum that provides immersion in the field of bioinformatics as well as foundational courses in biology, chemistry, computer science and statistics. The bachelor’s program in bioinformatics requires breadth of training via the VCU ConnectED general education requirements, a bioinformatics core with ancillary scientific course work and focused training in the areas of biological/genomic sciences, computational sciences or quantitative/statistical sciences through the concentration-specific courses.
Students wishing to pursue the bioinformatics major must apply for admission into the program. High school seniors as well as students transferring to VCU should follow the regular VCU admissions process and deadlines, being sure to indicate clearly in their application that they wish to apply to the bioinformatics program. Continuing VCU students wishing to apply to the program may contact the bioinformatics academic adviser at (804) 828-0825.
Transfer students and continuing VCU students with at least 15 college credits should present a suggested college GPA of 3.0 including relevant course work in science, math or computer science.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:
- Present scientific results, both orally and in writing, in a way that makes clear to an appropriate target audience the distinction between what is known (and how) and what is merely suspected between an observation and a conclusion in a way that tells a compelling story
- Will have demonstrated fundamental knowledge of the basic concepts of biology (particularly molecular biology), the physical sciences, mathematics, statistics and computational science and the ability to apply that knowledge within the context of bioinformatics
- Will have demonstrated an ability to identify and analyze bioinformatics problems and strategies to solve said problems
- Will possess an appropriate level of technical knowledge and ability necessary to address a scientific problem by exploiting biological software and datasets and creating simple bioinformatics tools
- Will have demonstrated an ability to identify and access relevant scientific literature and draw from it in a meaningful and critical manner
Special requirements
A minimum grade of C in the following courses is required for enrollment in all courses for which they are prerequisites and to successfully complete the B.S. in Bioinformatics with a concentration in computational sciences:
Course | Title | Hours |
BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
BIOL 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II | 3 |
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BNFO 101 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 1 |
BNFO 201 | Computing Skills and Concepts for Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 251 | Phage Discovery I | 2 |
BNFO 252 | Phage Discovery II | 2 |
BNFO 301 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 411 | Ethical Issues in Life Sciences | 2 |
BNFO 420 | Applications in Bioinformatics | 3 |
CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
CMSC 255 | Introduction to Object-oriented Programming | 4 |
CMSC 256 | Introduction to Data Structures | 4 |
CMSC 302 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
Degree requirements for Bioinformatics, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in computational sciences
Course | Title | Hours |
1 | 30 |
| |
BIOL 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II | 3 |
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 |
BNFO 101 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 1 |
BNFO 201 | Computing Skills and Concepts for Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 251 | Phage Discovery I | 2 |
BNFO 252 | Phage Discovery II | 2 |
BNFO 301 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 411 | Ethical Issues in Life Sciences | 2 |
BNFO 420 | Applications in Bioinformatics | 3 |
CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
CMSC 255 | Introduction to Object-oriented Programming | 4 |
STAT 321 | Introduction to Statistical Computing for Data Science | 3 |
| |
CMSC 256 | Introduction to Data Structures | 4 |
CMSC 302 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
CMSC 355 | Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
CMSC 401 | Algorithm Analysis with Advanced Data Structures | 3 |
| 11 |
BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 |
CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I (satisfies general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 |
CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (satisfies general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 1 |
MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
PHYS 207 | University Physics I (either course satisfies general education AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) 1 | 4-5 |
or PHYS 201 | General Physics I |
STAT 212 | Concepts of Statistics (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 3 |
| 23-24 |
Total Hours | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Concentration electives
Course | Title | Hours |
BIOL 318 | Evolution | 3 |
BNFO 391 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
BNFO 393 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
BNFO 491 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
BNFO 492 | Independent Study (variable) 1 | 1-4 |
BNFO 493 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
BNFO 496 | Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship in Bioinformatics (variable) 1 | 1-2 |
BNFO 497 | Research and Thesis (variable) 1 | 1-4 |
BNFO/BIOL 540 | Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics | 3 |
BNFO/BIOL 541 | Laboratory in Molecular Genetics | 2 |
BNFO 591 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
BNFO 593 | Special Topics in Bioinformatics (variable) 1,2 | 1-4 |
CHEM 301 | Organic Chemistry | 3 |
CMSC 408 | Databases | 3 |
CMSC 411 | Computer Graphics | 3 |
CMSC 435 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
CMSC 436 | Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
CMSC 437 | Introduction to Natural Language Processing | 3 |
STAT 314 | Applications of Statistics | 4 |
STAT 421 | Applied Statistical Computing Using R | 3 |
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Freshman year |
Fall semester | Hours |
BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I () | 3 |
BNFO 251 | Phage Discovery I | 2 |
CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I () | 3 |
CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I () | 1 |
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I () | 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
BIOL 152 | Introduction to Biological Sciences II | 3 |
BNFO 101 | Introduction to Scientific Computing | 1 |
BNFO 252 | Phage Discovery II | 2 |
CHEM 102 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II () | 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Sophomore year |
Fall semester | |
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BNFO 201 | Computing Skills and Concepts for Bioinformatics | 3 |
CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
STAT 212 | Concepts of Statistics () | 3 |
UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication () | 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 |
Spring semester | |
BNFO 301 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
CMSC 255 | Introduction to Object-oriented Programming | 4 |
MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14 |
Junior year |
Fall semester | |
BIOL 310 | Genetics | 3 |
BNFO 411 | Ethical Issues in Life Sciences | 2 |
CMSC 256 | Introduction to Data Structures | 4 |
CMSC 302 | Introduction to Discrete Structures | 3 |
| 3 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
CMSC 355 | Fundamentals of Software Engineering | 3 |
PHYS 207 | University Physics I () | 5 |
STAT 321 | Introduction to Statistical Computing for Data Science | 3 |
| 4 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Senior year |
Fall semester | |
CMSC 401 | Algorithm Analysis with Advanced Data Structures | 3 |
| 4 |
| 8 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
Spring semester | |
BNFO 420 | Applications in Bioinformatics | 3 |
| 12 |
| Term Hours: | 15 |
| Total Hours: | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. and M.S. in Bioinformatics in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to 12 hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 142 credits rather than the 154 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in an academic setting. The M.S. degree provides two tracks: (1) a thesis track with formal research experience and (2) a nonthesis (professional science master’s) track combining business skills with an externship experience. This degree can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 90 undergraduate credit hours; an overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.0 in bioinformatics degree course work. Applicants should have completed a substantial amount of course work toward the B.S. degree and maintained a strong academic record. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the program director to the M.S. in Bioinformatics program during their junior year after they have completed 75 credits and before they have completed 90 credits toward the B.S. degree. Applicants to this accelerated program must have junior or senior status in VCU’s B.S. in Bioinformatics program. Successful applicants would enter the accelerated program in the first semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate bioinformatics adviser and the program director of the bioinformatics graduate program.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the first semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. Two reference letters (at least one from a bioinformatics faculty member) must accompany the application.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 120 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits may substitute for bioinformatics requirements for the undergraduate degree, and are planned in consultation with the undergraduate academic adviser and the graduate program director. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. For best alignment of these credits, students must plan ahead.
Examples of bioinformatics degree courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, are:
Course | Title | Hours |
BIOS 543 | Graduate Research Methods I | 3 |
BNFO 540 | Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics | 3 |
BNFO 541 | Laboratory in Molecular Genetics | 2 |
BNFO 592 | Independent Study | 1-9 |
BNFO 620 | Bioinformatics Practicum | 3 |
BNFO 621 | Business and Entrepreneurship Essentials for Life Scientists | 3 |
BNFO 653 | Advanced Molecular Genetics: Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 692 | Independent Study | 1-9 |
CMSC 508 | Database Theory | 3 |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
Course | Title | Hours |
| |
BIOL 300 | Cellular and Molecular Biology | 3 |
BNFO 411 | Ethical Issues in Life Sciences | 2 |
| 10 |
| 15 |
| |
BNFO 541 | Laboratory in Molecular Genetics | 2 |
PHYS 207 | University Physics I | 5 |
STAT 321 | Introduction to Statistical Computing | 3 |
| 5 |
| 15 |
| |
BNFO 540 | Fundamentals of Molecular Genetics | 3 |
CMSC 256 | Data Structures and Object Oriented Programming | 4 |
| 8 |
| 15 |
| |
| 5 |
BNFO 601 | Integrated Bioinformatics | 4 |
BNFO 620 | Bioinformatics Practicum | 3 |
BNFO 621 | Business and Entrepreneurship Essentials for Life Scientists | 3 |
| 15 |
| |
BNFO 531 | Quantitative Methods in Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 690 | Seminars in Bioinformatics | 1 |
OVPR 601 | Scientific Integrity | 1 |
1 | 5 |
| 11 |
| |
BNFO 653 | Advanced Molecular Genetics: Bioinformatics | 3 |
BNFO 700 | Externship in Bioinformatics | 2 |
1 | 6 |
| 11 |
Students interested in the accelerated B.S. and M.S. program can contact the individuals listed below who will explain the program and coordinate the curriculum.
Undergraduate adviser
Lian Currie
lcurrie@vcu.edu
Grace E. Harris Hall, Room 3116a
Graduate program director
Allison Johnson
aajohnson@vcu.edu
Grace E. Harris Hall, Room 3115