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Joint offering of the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering
Bioinformatics is proving to be a necessary tool for biologists, medical researchers, and drug designers in understanding genes, gene expression, SNPs, proteins, pathways, and in studying disease. It is also playing an increasingly important role in identifying, characterizing, and selecting potential lead compounds and in understanding target molecules for drug development and production. As the biotechnology industry expands, a growing number of discoveries will move out of research laboratories and into commercial production. The explosion of sequence data from the human genome project and other large scale and small scale sequencing projects calls for skilled professionals who can develop and use sophisticated computer applications to unlock the information within the genetic code, with the ultimate goal of delivering life saving therapies.
To meet the demand for skilled bioinformatics professionals, the Whiting School of Engineering Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals and the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences’ Advanced Academic Programs have joined forces to offer a degree in the new and rapidly evolving discipline that combines computer science and molecular biology. The bioinformatics degree draws on the faculty and resources from within each school to provide professionals with in-depth knowledge and technical skills in computational biology, preparing students for careers in bioinformatics and computational biology.
Graduates with the MS in Bioinformatics will have the educational foundation necessary to interpret complex biological information, perform analysis of sequence data using sophisticated bioinformatics software, and program software when needed. The degree covers not only the theoretical aspects of the field, but also the practical side of bioinformatics, through contact with Hopkins faculty actively developing these technologies.
Program Committee
The program committee oversees the admissions, policy and operations of the joint MS in Bioinformatics. It consists of:
Richard McCarty, Co-chair
William D. Gill Professor of Biology and Dean Emeritus, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences,
Chair, Biotechnology, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Ralph Semmel, Co-chair
Computer Science Program, Whiting School of Engineering,
Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals
Edwin Addison, EPP Coordinator
Computer Science Program, Whiting School of Engineering,
Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals
Kristina Obom, KSAS Coordinator
Associate Program Chair, Biotechnology, Advanced Academic Programs, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences
Patrick Cummings, Senior Associate Program Chair
Biotechnology, Advanced Academic Programs,
Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences |
Admissions Requirement
Students entering this program must have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or engineering, or a graduate degree in an appropriate field, with the following prerequisites required for admission to the program: two semesters of undergraduate Organic Chemistry or 410.302 Bio-Organic Chemistry; 410.601 Advanced Biochemistry; 605.201 Introduction to Programming Using Java, C++, or C; 605.202 Data Structures; an undergraduate or graduate course in Probability and Statistics; and Calculus. All the prerequisites can be taken in the existing Master of Science in Computer Science or in the Master of Science in Biotechnology program. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the latter half of their undergraduate or graduate studies. Applicants with less than the required GPA may be admitted as provisional students. Applicants with a degree from a country other than the US must provide credential evaluations and a TOEFL.
NOTE: This program is offered jointly by the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) and the Whiting School of Engineering. However, the administration is handled by KSAS and applications for admission to the Master of Science in Bioinformatics must be submitted directly to KSAS (http://www.bioinformatics.jhu.edu/). Program Structure
The joint MS degree will require certain prerequisites and a total of 11 courses. Students may elect to complete additional work and earn an MS in Bioinformatics with thesis. The course offerings are listed below. Prerequisites:
- Two semesters of Organic Chemistry (or 410.302 Bio-Organic Chemistry)
- One semester of Advanced Biochemistry (or 410.601 Advanced Biochemistry)
- Introduction to Programming Using Java, C++ or C (or 605.201 Introduction to Programming Using Java)
- Data Structures (or 605.202 Data Structures)
- One course in Probability and Statistics or (410.645 Biostatistics)
- Calculus
Core Courses—Five Required
Concentration Courses – Choose Four
Students may choose any four of these courses. If a student chooses three courses in one concentration area, the student will also be recognized as having completed a “concentration” in that specific area. Concentrating on one area is not required. Electives—Choose Two
Choose one elective from the approved list of computer science courses and one from the approved list of biotechnology courses. Approved Computer Science Elective List
Approved Biotechnology Elective List
MS in Bioinformatics with Thesis Option
Students interested in pursuing the MS in Bioinformatics with the thesis are required to take twelve courses and should consult with the program advisor. The thesis is a two semester research project. Students should take the following courses in consecutive semesters: Online Options
Effective Fall 2006, the Master of Science in Bioinformatics is available as a fully online degree. Not all courses are available online, but a complete program is offered. All bioinformatics students may take advantage of the online offerings as it suits their needs. Courses from Other JHU Schools
There are various courses at Homewood (Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering departments) and at the Johns Hopkins Medical School or Bloomberg School of Public Health, related to bioinformatics, that are also relevant. Upon special request, students may take one or two of these courses as part of their program in consultation with their adviser, provided that the students meet the prerequisites, obtain instructor permission and the adviser approves the course as a suitable substitution for one of the requirements above. The course descriptions and offerings are provided on the web sites of the respective schools. Tuition
Tuition for the courses in the joint degree vary by course and school of origin and are posted in the course schedule each semester. Facilities
The program uses facilities on the Homewood and Montgomery County campuses. These campuses contain numerous modern classrooms, teaching support equipment, computer laboratories, lounges and food service, and are supported by appropriate staff. Both locations can accommodate additional courses and students. Courses are sometimes offered at APL. An increasing number of courses are being offered online. |
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