Admission Programs

Post-Bachelor’s / Post-Master’s (PhD)

Prospective students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may apply for direct admission to the post-bachelor’s Ph.D. program. The post-bachelor’s Ph.D. requires a total of 64 credits, consisting of lecture/laboratory courses, seminar courses, research credits. While there is a set of required core courses, the precise course of study will be determined in consultation with the student’s academic advisor, and will reflect the student’s background and interests.

Prospective students who have completed a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in disciplines related to the field: biological science, computer science, physical science, mathematics, or engineering may apply for direct admission to the post-master’s Ph.D. program. The post-master’s Ph.D. requires 32 credits, consisting of satisfactory fulfillment of the core course requirements with a minimum of four lecture/laboratory courses, as recommended by the student’s two academic advisors. Admission requirements for the Ph.D. candidacy are the same for the post-bachelor’s Ph.D.

In order to be admitted to Ph.D. candidacy (by the end of the second year) students must demonstrate mastery of the core subject matter (no lower than a “B” in core courses) and successfully complete a qualifying examination, which has both written and oral components.

Master’s of Science (MS)

Prospective students who have completed a bachelor’s degree may apply for direct admission to the Master of Science (M.S.) program. The master’s degree requires a total of 32 credits. Credits earned in the M.S. program may be applicable to the Ph.D. program, but the M.S. program is not intended to be a stepping-stone towards a Ph.D. (M.S. candidates wishing to enter the Ph.D. program must apply for admission to that program via the standard application process).

In order to receive a Master’s degree (by the end of the second year) students must demonstrate mastery of the core subject matter (no lower than a “B” in each core course is acceptable). A minimum requirement is the satisfaction of the core. Students must also demonstrate a working knowledge of computational methods available to the modern bioinformatician by having an internship as part of their degree requirements. Upon completion of the internship, the student is required to submit a written and oral report on the internship experience. This report serves in lieu of an M.S. thesis.