Bioinformatics MS
Major: Bioinformatics
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 26.1103
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 15-1221; 15-1299; 15-2051; 19-4021; 15-1252
About the Program
The Bioinformatics program aims to train professional graduates for bioinformatics specialist roles in healthcare, biomedical research, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries by providing them with interdisciplinary knowledge and experience to develop and apply sophisticated computational methods for the analysis of biomedical data. The program consists of classes and electives included in certificates offered by the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems (Bioinformatics, Neurotechnologies and Neurosystems), the College of Computing and Informatics (Computational Data Science), and the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Professional Studies (Drug Discovery and Development).
Pathways to Completion
As the graphic below indicates, students have defined pathways to earning the MS in Bioinformatics. The program starts with required and elective core classes in bioinformatics, and a choice of either Computational Data Science or Neurotechnology and Neurosystems courses over the first three quarter terms. In the second year, students have the choice to remain in the quarter term system to take the second choice of either Computational Data Science or Neurotechnology and Neurosystems courses, or transfer into the semester-based system to take classes in the Drug Discovery and Development program offered by the College of Medicine. Additional options include concentrations offered by the School and graduate minors across Drexel's academic units.
Additional Information
For questions about how to apply to the program, please contact:
Natalia Broz
Associate Director for Graduate Programs
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Email: njb33@drexel.edu
Andres Kriete, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Email: ak3652@drexel.edu
For more information, visit the The School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems website.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the MS in Bioinformatics program requires a four-year bachelor's degree in sciences or engineering from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent international institution. Regular acceptance typically requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The average for any graduate work must be at least 3.0.
Applicants must also fulfill the following requirements for consideration:
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- References from at least two instructors or professionals
- Essay
- Resume
International applicants (non-United States citizens) must meet the same requirements for admission as students from the United States. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate the ability to speak, write, and understand the English language by submitting an acceptable score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). An evaluation by World Education Services (WES) is required for transcripts from institutions outside the United States.
Online applications are accepted all year-round, but all admitted students initiate their studies in the following fall term. Students are encouraged to apply no later than July 1 for consideration for admission the following fall term. Students may defer admission by one year.
Degree Requirements
Core Required Courses | ||
BMES 546 | Biocomputational Languages | 4.0 |
or BMES 550 | Advanced Biocomputational Languages | |
BMES 544 | Genome Information Engineering | 4.0 |
Core Elective Courses (Choose 7-9 credits) | 7.0-9.0 | |
Quantitative Systems Biology | ||
Structural Bioinformatics and Drug Design | ||
Machine Learning in Biomedical Applications | ||
Biosystems Modeling | ||
Genomic and Sequencing Technologies | ||
Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
Pharmacogenomics | ||
[Option 1] Computational Data Sciences (Choose 2 out of 3 options) | ||
Required Courses for Option 1 | 0.0-6.0 | |
Data Acquisition and Pre-Processing | ||
Data Analysis and Interpretation | ||
Elective Courses for Option 1 (Choose 9 credits) | 0.0-9.0 | |
Fundamentals of Databases | ||
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | ||
Introduction to Computer Vision | ||
Machine Learning | ||
Deep Learning | ||
Data Analysis at Scale | ||
Responsible Data Analysis | ||
[Option 2] Drug Discovery and Development (Choose 2 out of 3 options) | ||
Required courses for Option 2 | 0.0-6.0 | |
Drug Discovery and Development I | ||
Drug Discovery and Development II | ||
Elective courses for Option 2 (Choose 9 credits) | 0.0-9.0 | |
Cancer Biology | ||
Epidemiology | ||
Ethical Issues in Research | ||
Business Processes and Contemporary Concerns in Pharmaceutical R & D | ||
World Wide Regulatory Submissions | ||
Intro to Clinical Trials | ||
Applications of Clinical Research Biostatistics | ||
Scientific Writing and Medical Literature | ||
Current Federal Regulatory Issues in Biomedical Research | ||
Pharmaceutical Law | ||
Leadership Skills | ||
Compliance & Monitoring Issues | ||
Principles and Practice of Pharmacovigilance | ||
Designing the Clinical Trial | ||
Innovative Product Development | ||
Fundamentals of Compliance | ||
Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology | ||
Informatics in Pharm Res & Development | ||
Regulatory, Scientific and Social Issues Affecting Biotech Research | ||
Health Policy and Economics | ||
Strategic Planning | ||
Special Topics in Clinical Research | ||
Responsible Conduct of Research | ||
Immunology I | ||
Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods | ||
Vaccines and Vaccine Development | ||
Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine I | ||
Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine II | ||
Animal Models for Biomedical Research | ||
Statistics for Neuro/Pharm Research | ||
Graduate Neuroscience I | ||
Graduate Physiology | ||
Current Topics in Pharmacology & Physiology | ||
Pharm & Phys 1st Lab Rotation | ||
Prin of Neuropharmacology | ||
Graduate Pharmacology | ||
Advanced Topics in Physiology | ||
Advanced Topics in Pharmacology | ||
New Frontiers in Therapy | ||
Methods in Biomedical Research | ||
Internship in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
Intensive Internship in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
Current Topics in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
Research in Drug Discovery and Development | ||
[Option 3] Neurotechnologies and Neurosystems (Choose 2 out of 3 options) | ||
Required courses for Option 3 | 0.0-6.0 | |
Neural Signals | ||
Principles in Neuroengineering | ||
Elective courses for Option 3 (Choose 9 credits) | 0.0-9.0 | |
Experimental Methods in Neuroengineering | ||
Systems Neuroscience and Applications I | ||
Brain Computer Interfaces | ||
Neural Networks |
Total Credits: 45.0
Sample Plan of Study
Sample Curriculum Schedule without Co-Op
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
BMES 546 or 550 | 4.0 | BMES 547 | 3.0 | BMES 543 | 4.0 | VACATION | |
BMES 718 | 3.0 | BMES 551 | 3.0 | BMES 711 | 3.0 | ||
BMES 710 | 3.0 | BMES 725 | 3.0 | ||||
7 | 9 | 10 | 0 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CS 500 | 3.0 | BMES 544 | 4.0 | CS 510 | 3.0 | ||
DSCI 511 | 3.0 | DSCI 521 | 3.0 | CS 615 | 3.0 | ||
6 | 7 | 6 | |||||
Total Credits 45 |