Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics - STEM Designated
Chicago, USA
DURATION
127 up to 128 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Bioinformatics and computational biology incorporate computer science, statistics, and information technology to create tools for processing and analyzing biological data, and to advance the understanding of living systems through computation.
At Illinois Tech the bioinformatics major blends courses in biology, chemistry, and physics with courses in programming, statistics, and other methods, producing graduates who are both strong in science and able to develop and use data processing tools to advance scientific knowledge.
Our program is scientifically rigorous, providing students with in-demand programming and analytical skills through a solid, balanced offering of STEM courses. Combined with undergraduate research opportunities, this rounded curriculum provides the knowledge, skills, and experiences to pursue careers in bioinformatics or computational biology.
Courses include programming in Perl, C++, and Java; data structure and algorithms; data mining; statistics; human biology; genetics; genomics and transcriptomics; and more.
Two tracks are available. Applied Bioinformatics has more required and elective courses in computer science. Computational Biology has more required and elective courses in biology.
Program Overview
Bioinformatics blends courses in biology, chemistry, and physics with programming, statistics, and other methods, producing graduates with strong computational and scientific skills. Two tracks include Applied Bioinformatics, with more courses in computer science, and Computational Biology, with more courses in biology.
Why Illinois Tech is one of the best value universities in the country
As an Illinois Tech student, you’ll automatically be considered for our university’s generous institutional scholarships. On average, this adds up to a savings of $107,472 on tuition and housing for every student during your four years at Illinois Tech ($134,340 for five years, based on fall 2021 figures).
We’re committed to dramatically reducing the cost of your degree, so you can focus on learning at one of the most dynamic and innovation-driven universities in the country.
Want some more great reasons?
- On top of our institutional scholarship, on average, Illinois Tech awards our students an additional $34,412 each in need-based tuition aid over four years ($43,015 for five years). (among FAFSA filers, fall 2021)
- We’re the #44 Best Value School in the nation (U.S. News & World Report)
- 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid
- The mean starting salary of our undergraduates is $63,938
Gallery
Facilities
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Required Courses
Biology Requirements ---- ---- (29)
- BIOL 100 ---- ---- Introduction to Profession ---- ---- 2
- BIOL 104 ---- ---- Linux and Perl Programming ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 107 ---- ---- General Biology Lecture ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 115 ---- ---- Human Biology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 210 ---- ---- Microbiology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 214 ---- ---- Genetics ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 225 ---- ---- Microbiology Laboratory ---- ---- 2
- BIOL 403 ---- ---- Biochemistry ---- ---- 4
- BIOL 413 ---- ---- Genomics and Transcriptomics ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 451 ---- ---- Biological Literature ---- ---- 2
- BIOL 495 ---- ---- Biology Colloquium ---- ---- 1
Chemistry Requirements ---- ---- (12)
- CHEM 124 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry I with Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 125 ---- ---- Principle of Chemistry II w/Lab ---- ---- 4
- CHEM 237 ---- ---- Organic Chemistry I ---- ---- 4
Physics Requirements (11)
- PHYS 123 ---- ---- General Physics I: Mechanics ---- ---- 4
- PHYS 221 ---- ---- General Physics II: Electricity & Magnetism ---- ---- 4
- PHYS 224 ---- ---- General Physics III for Engineers ---- ---- 3
Track Electives ---- ---- (9-10)
Select a track in Applied Bioinformatics or Computational Biology ---- ---- 9-10
Option 1: Applied Bioinformatics ---- ---- 9
- MATH 332 Elementary Linear Algebra ---- ---- 3
- CS 422 Data Mining ---- ---- 3
- CS 425 Database Organization ---- ---- 3
Option 2: Computational Biology ---- ---- 10
- MATH 252 Introduction to Differential Equations ---- ---- 4
- BIOL 445 Cell Biology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 446 Cell Biology Laboratory ---- ---- 3
Bioinformatics Technical Electives ---- ---- (9)
Select a minimum of nine credit hours of technical electives, with at least two electives in the chosen Bioinformatics track (Applied Bioinformatics or Computational Biology) ---- ---- 9
Applied Bioinformatics Technical Electives
- CS 429 Information Retrieval ---- ---- 3
- CS 430 Introduction to Algorithms ---- ---- 3
- CS 445 Object Oriented Design Programing ---- ---- 3
- CS 450 Operating Systems ---- ---- 3
- CS 451 Parallel/Distributed Computing ---- ---- 3
- CS 491 Undergraduate Research1 ---- ---- 1-6
- CS 595 Topics in Computer Science1 ---- ---- 3-12
Computational Biology Technical Electives
- BIOL 305 Human Anatomy ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 404 Biochemistry Laboratory ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 410 Medical Microbiology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 426 Concepts of Cancer Biology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 430 Human Physiology ---- ---- 3
- BIOL 491 Biology Research Project1 ---- ---- 1-3
Suggested Additional Electives
- CHEM 239 Organic Chemistry II ---- ---- 3
- CHEM 343 Physical Chemistry I ---- ---- 3
- MATH 350 Introduction to Computational Mathe1 ---- ---- 3
- PHYS 240 Computational Science ---- ---- 3
- PHYS 410 Molecular Biophysics ---- ---- 3
Mathematics Requirements ---- ---- (20)
- MATH 151 ---- ---- Calculus I ---- ---- 5
- MATH 152 ---- ---- Calculus II ---- ---- 5
- MATH 251 ---- ---- Multivariate & Vector Calculus ---- ---- 4
- MATH 475 ---- ---- Probability ---- ---- 3
- MATH 476 ---- ---- Statistics ---- ---- 3
Computer Science Requirements ---- ---- (10)
Select one of the following options: ---- ---- 4
Option 1:
- CS 115 ---- ---- Object-Oriented Programming I ---- ---- 4
&
- CS 116 and Object-Oriented Programming II ---- ---- 4
Option 2:
- CS 201 ---- ---- Accelerated Introduction to Computer Science ---- ---- 4
- CS 330 ---- ---- Discrete Structures ---- ---- 3
- CS 331 ---- ---- Data Structures and Algorithms ---- ---- 3
Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) ---- ---- (6)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, section E ---- ---- 6
Humanities and Social Science Requirements ---- ---- (21)
See Illinois Tech Core Curriculum, sections B and C ---- ---- 21
Total Credit Hours ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 127-128
1 Adviser and/or instructor approval required.
Career Opportunities
Most bioinformatics positions require an advanced degree. The Illinois Tech major helps prepare you for graduate school, as well as entry-level, technical positions.
- Bioinformatician
- Biostatistician
- Computational biologist
- Data scientist
- Genomicist