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Bioinformatics, B.S.

Requirements

Bioinformatics is the fastest growing field in Biology. In general terms, bioinformatics is the synthesis of computational methods and biological systems and comprises many sub-fields that approach different questions in biology. A Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics will prepare students to enter a variety of fields such as: medical informatics and interventions, new agricultural paradigms, pharmaceutical discovery, and molecular genealogy predictions, among others. This degree would provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to be competitive for both graduate school and employment opportunities.

Total Program Credits: 120

Matriculation Requirements:

BIOL 1610 College Biology BB with C- or higher

CS 1400 Fundamentals of Programming with a C+ or higher, and

Approval of Biology Department or Computer Science Department advisor.

General Education Requirements: 39 Credits
  ENGL 1010 Introduction to Academic Writing CC 3
or ENGH 1005 Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC (5)  
  ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
  MATH 1050 College Algebra QL 4
or MATH 1055 College Algebra with Preliminaries QL (5)  
Complete one of the following: 3
  HIST 2700 US History to 1877 AS (3)  
and HIST 2710 US History since 1877 AS (3)  
  HIST 1700 American Civilization AS (3)  
  HIST 1740 US Economic History AS (3)  
  POLS 1000 American Heritage SS (3)  
  POLS 1100 American National Government AS (3)  
Complete the following:  
  PHIL 2050 Ethics and Values IH 3
or PHIL 205G Ethics and Values IH GI (3)  
  HLTH 1100 Personal Health and Wellness TE (2)  
or EXSC 1097 Fitness for Life TE 2
Distribution Courses:  
  BIOL 1610 College Biology I BB 4
  CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I PP 4
  CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II PP 4
  Humanities Distribution 3
  Fine Arts Distribution 3
  Social/Behavioral Science 3
Discipline Core Requirements: 50 Credits
  BIOL 1011 Introduction to Bioinformatics BB 3
  BIOL 1615 College Biology I Laboratory 1
  BIOL 3500 Genetics 3
  BIOL 3550 Molecular Biology 3
  BIOL 3100 Introduction to Data Analysis for Biologists 3
  BIOL 492R Professional Development 1
  BIOL 494R Student Seminar WE 2
  BIOL 497R Biology Colloquium (0.5 cr, two required) 1
  BIOL 4550 Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics WE 3
  BIOL 4600 Bioinformatics Capstone 3
  STAT 2040 Principles of Statistics QL 4
  CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 1
  CHEM 1225 Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 1
  CS 1400 Fundamentals of Programming 3
  CS 1410 Object Oriented Programming 3
  CS 2300 Discrete Mathematical Structures I 3
  CS 2420 Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures 3
  CS 305G Global Social and Ethical Issues in Computing GI WE 3
  INFO 2410 Database Fundamentals 3
  IT 1510 Introduction to System Administration--Linux/UNIX 3
Elective Requirements: 31 Credits
  Choose 6 credits from any general electives.1 6
  Choose 25 credits from list below or approved by advisor 25
  BIOL 4300 Bioinformatics and Genome Analysis (4)  
  BIOL 3700 General Ecology (3)  
  BIOL 4500 Principles of Evolution WE (3)  
  BIOL 4400 Genomics (3)  
  BIOL 489R Student Research (1-9)  
  BIOL 490R Special Topics in Biology (1-4)  
  BIOL 499R Senior Thesis (1-2)  
  MICR 3200 Emerging and Re Emerging Diseases and Zoonoses (3)  
  MICR 2060 Microbiology for Health Professions BB (3)  
  MICR 3450 General Microbiology (3)  
  CS  3270 Python Software Development (3)  
  CS 3320 Numerical Software Development (3)  
  CS 3520 Database Theory (3)  
  CS 3530 Data Management For Data Sciences (3)  
  STAT 4100 Design of Experiment (3)  
  STAT 4400 Multivariate Analysis WE (3)  
  STAT 4710 Mathematical Statistics-Probability and Statistics (3)  
  STAT 4720 Mathematical Statistics-Statistical Inference (3)  
  MATH 1210 Calculus I QL (4)  
or MATH 121H Calculus I QL (4)  
  MATH 1220 Calculus II (4)  
or MATH 122H Calculus II (4)  
  MATH 2270 Linear Algebra (3)  
  MATH 2210 Calculus III (4)  
or MATH 222H Calculus III (4)  

Graduation Requirements:

  1. Complete the required minimum credit hours.
  2. If an AA or AS degree has been earned, a maximum of 64 of these credits may apply toward the BS.
  3. At least 30 credit hours in residence at UVU or satellite sites are required, with 10 hours earned during the last 45 hours.
  4. A minimum of 40 credits must be upper-division (numbered 3000 or above).
  5. A minimum of 40 credits must be in the major, 30 of which must be upper-division. A minimum of nine Department credits must be taken at UVU.
  6. Except for 490R Special Topics courses, a maximum cumulative total of 9 credits in any combination of upper division Departmental courses with an"R" designation may count toward graduation.
  7. Complete Biology Department core courses with a grade of "C-" or higher in each course.
  8. Achieve a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 with a minimum GPA of 2.25 in biology department courses.
  9. Complete the appropriate application for graduation form.
  10. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
Footnotes:
1 Upper division is suggested to meet upper division requirements

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Semester 1 Course Title Credit Hours
CHEM 1210 Principles of Chemistry I PP 4
CHEM 1215 Principles of Chemsitry I Lab 1
MATH 1050 or MATH 1055 College Algebra QL or College Algebra with Preliminaries QL 4
ENGL 1010 Introduction to Academic Writing CC 3
BIOL 1011 Introduction to Bioinformatics BB 3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 2 Course Title Credit Hours
BIOL 1610 College Biology I BB 4
BIOL 1615 College Biology I Laboratory 1
CS 1400 Fundamental of Programming 3
ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
CHEM 1220 Principles of Chemistry II PP 4
CHEM 1225 Principles of Chemistry II Laboratory 1
  Semester total: 16
Semester 3 Course Title Credit Hours
Fine Arts Distribution 3
CS 1410 Object Oriented Programming 3
BIOL 3500 Genetics 3
IT 1510 Intro to System Administration-- Linux/UNIX 3
American Institution Distribution 3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 4 Course Title Credit Hours
CS 2300 Discrete mathematical Structures I 3
BIOL 3550 Molecular Biology 3
Humanities Distribuion 3
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE 2
INFO 2410 Database Fundamentals 3
BIOL 497R Biology Colloquium 0.5
  Semester total: 14.5
Semester 5 Course Title Credit Hours
CS 2420 Introduction to Algorithm and Data Structures 3
STAT 2040 Principles of Statistics QL 4
PHIL 2050 Ethics and Values IH 3
Upper Division Elective 5
  Semester total: 15
Semester 6 Course Title Credit Hours
BIOL 3100 Introduction to Data Analysis for Biologists 3
Upper Division Elective 9
Social/Behavioral Science Distribution 3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 7 Course Title Credit Hours
Upper Division Elective 9
BIOL 494R Student Seminar WE 2
BIOL 497R Biology Colloquium 0.5
BIOL 4550 Molecular Evolution and Bioinformatics WE 3
  Semester total: 14.5
Semester 8 Course Title Credit Hours
BIOL 4600 Bioinformatics Capstone 3
Upper Division Electives 8
CS 305G Global Social and Ethical Issues in Computing GI WE 3
BIOL 492R Professional Development 1
  Semester total: 15
  Degree total: 120

Department

Biology

The Biology department is in the College of Science. To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the Biology department, visit their website.

Biology department

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of bioinformatics as derived from the associated fields of biology, computer science, mathematics, informatics, and chemistry.
  2. Utilize existing software to extract, compile, and analyze information from large databases.
  3. Create data science pipelines and/or computer programs that facilitate biological data analysis.
  4. Complete a project in bioinformatics and communicate the outcomes effectively by participation in one or more of the following: an internship, a professional presentation, mentored research, or as coauthor of a peer-reviewed publication (or other approved activity).
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