Academic Standards

Admission

Students are required to have a bachelor’s degree and a basic background at the undergraduate level in computer science, statistics, and life sciences. Conditional admission may be made if no formal qualification exists but sufficient experience can be presented. It is possible to begin the certificate program while completing prerequisite courses for the foundation and core graduate courses. The majority of students participating in this program will be graduate degree seeking students within the participating departments.

Basic Requirements

The graduate certificate in Bioinformatics requires completion of 16 credit hours of course work eligible for graduate credit. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be at the 5000 level or above. Required courses include the foundation course (MICR 5203), and 9 credit hours of defined courses from three core areas: life sciences, statistics, and computer sciences. A 3 credit hour graduate-level elective course selected from the matriculating department and approved by the Bioinformatics Certificate Program Committee will allow students to focus toward an individual discipline. Participation in a 1 credit hour capstone project is required to obtain hands-on experience in bioinformatics technologies.

Transfer of Courses

With the approval of the Bioinformatics Certificate Program Committee and the Graduate College, up to 3 hours of graduate-level credit from another institution may be used toward certificate requirements. The GPA must be at least 3.0 on any transfer credit.

Academic Standing and Retention in the Certificate Program

A grade-point average of 3.0 is required for courses applicable to the Bioinformatics Certificate. No grade lower than a “B” may be used toward the foundation and core requirements of the certificate, and no grade lower than a “C” may be used as part of the minimum requirements for the certificate. Non-completion of the foundation course will result in dismissal from the Certificate program.  Students who do not show successful progress towards the Bioinformatics Certificate following the first nine hours of Bioinformatics Certificate course hours will be recommended for dismissal. Students enrolled in this program must complete all requirements within a four year time limit. Those interested in the Certificate should note that the certificate program does not extend the maximum time allowed for completion of a graduate degree.

Plan of Study

A student shall complete a plan of study listing the courses intended to be used in earning the certificate within one semester after entering the program. This plan must be approved by the Bioinformatics Certificate Program Committee, the head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Graduate Dean. An approved plan of study must be accepted by the Graduate College prior to the credential being placed on the student’s academic record.