Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics

Overview

Bioinformatics is essentially the interdisciplinary study of biology and biochemical systems using mathematics and computer science. It involves the use of computers and statistics to make sense out of large amounts of data that are accumulating from high-throughput biological and chemical experiments, such as sequencing of whole gnomes, DNA microarray chips, two-hybrid experiments, and tandem mass spectrometry.

There are three different approaches to bioinformatics:

• Tool building: creating new programs and methods for analyzing and organizing data.
• Tool using: using existing programs and data to answer interesting questions about biology.
• Tool maintenance: setting up databases, translating biologists questions into ones that programs can answer, keeping the tools working and the databases up to date.

The main goal of the degree is to prepare the students for graduate studies in bioinformatics. A secondary goal is to provide students with relevant skills that will be useful for research and development in the growing biotechnology industries.

The bioinformatics degree program is jointly administered by the Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Program Information, academic years 2008/20 to 2011/12

• Program Description
• Flowchart of Course Dependencies

Additional Resources

• Yearly Schedule of Courses
• Admission to CSUSB
• CSUSB Catalogs
• ASSIST (online student-transfer information system)

Advising Policy

Students meet with a faculty adviser at least once per year for the purpose of reviewing progress towards the degree and to ensure that the student's course choices allow the student to complete their degree program in a timely manner.