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64 Credits to Graduation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Customizable Research Track<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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3 Lab Rotations in 1 Year<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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50+ Faculties Across 5 Colleges<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Fully Funded Fellowships Available<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Projected 17.4% Industry Growth<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
<\/h2>\nProgram Overview<\/h2>\n
Are you ready to evolve the future of biological and medical science using the most advanced computation and data processing tools? Join leading researchers in the Boston University Bioinformatics PhD program who are driving the next generation of biological and biomedical discovery. The program includes 50+ active faculties from five colleges and focuses on the molecular biology and physics of the cell<\/strong>. Your Doctorate in Bioinformatics from BU will help you set the global standard in academia and industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Foundational Research. Lasting Impact.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Your pursuit of a Doctorate in Bioinformatics demands an environment dedicated to pushing boundaries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Join a highly multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary environment that encourages research in departments across the entire campus. 50 faculties, five colleges: Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Dentistry, Medicine, and Public Health. You have a wide range of opportunities to pursue complex topics with dozens of different faculty, ensuring your project is unique and impactful.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is a pioneering program, established as the first of its kind in the U.S.<\/strong> in 1999 by Charles DeLisi, initiator of the Human Genome Project. You gain access to advanced research and technology, working with top-tier researchers to execute groundbreaking research projects.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Go beyond analysis. You are empowered to develop novel computational tools and software<\/strong> (algorithms, packages) that become forerunners in the field and are used by thousands in the community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Apply your skills to data that matters. You will work with complex, clinical-oriented data sets from patients, such as high-throughput genomic data from Boston Medical Center. Your goal is to understand the mechanism of diseases<\/strong> (like why a tumor is growing) and move the understanding of the disease forward<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Boston is the world’s most concentrated biotech hub\u2014a crucial advantage for your Doctorate in Bioinformatics. Research spans genomics, systems & synthetic biology, ML\/AI, computational genomics, multi-omics, databases\/HPC, structural biophysics, and experimental molecular biology<\/strong>\u2014with students matching to labs across BU MED, ENG, CAS, and CDS. Your research at BU gives you direct access to the institutions and thought leaders that are driving foundational scientific breakthroughs.<\/p>\n You gain access to the best partners and resources for your dissertation.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Our program has a partnership with 200+ organizations, including AstraZeneca, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, the BROAD Institute, Novartis, Pfizer, Massachusetts General Hospital and Biogen<\/strong>, empowering you with cutting-edge research and novel technology to ensure your dissertation is a top-tier project that defines the frontier of the field.<\/p>\n Beyond the lab, your research is designed to have a global impact: you are strongly supported to travel the globe to present your findings at major international conferences<\/a> through our Student Research Seminars<\/a>. While your focus is on research, we provide valuable connections and help secure your future as a leader in academia or R&D.<\/p>\n Join a huge network of alumni who live and work in the Boston area and hold influential positions at top biotech companies and research centers globally.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Boston University Bioinformatics PhD is a definitive commitment to research leadership.<\/p>\n Three lab rotations are required during a Ph.D. student\u2019s first year, each lasting approximately 9 weeks. One rotation must be experimental, one computational, and the third can be either. Lab rotations must take place at Boston University, on either the Charles River campus or the Medical School campus. Only rotations done in laboratories located on campus fulfill the rotation requirement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n All students are required to submit an annual report each fall. The report includes a list of courses completed, research projects, committee updates, journal publications, conference presentations or posters, teaching, Bioinformatics Community Service, financial support, report of oral examination, as well as a brief program evaluation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n There is a one-semester teaching requirement for all PhD students in the Bioinformatics Program.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n The goal of the oral qualifying exam is for the student to demonstrate their general proficiency in bioinformatics, as well as command of the area(s) in which they intend to conduct research. Each student in the Bioinformatics Program will select a Qualifying Committee (QC) of 4 faculty members in the program during the first semester of their second year. The Qualifying Committee must include faculty members with biological\/experimental expertise, as well as members with computational expertise.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n All Ph.D. students are expected to defend the significance, originality, and methodologies employed in their thesis research. This defense consists of two parts. The first is the public seminar open to the University community and based on the work by the student. The second is an oral defense of the work, which usually follows the public seminar, and is done privately before the student\u2019s Thesis Committee. The committee members ensure that the research is complete and understood by the candidate. At this time, they can voice any concerns over the data or the preparation of the dissertation document. Depending on how well the thesis experiments are designed, performed, and defended, and how well the thesis is prepared, the committee will vote whether or not the thesis is complete and satisfactory.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Core Courses<\/p>\n Choice of 1 Comp\/Math<\/p>\n Choice of 1 Biology<\/p>\n One non-research elective course<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/p>\n See Full Course Schedule<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Next Leader: Jacquelyn Turcinovic Receives DeLisi Award for Viral Genomics Data Work.<\/p>\n Read More<\/a><\/span> <\/p>\n Graduates of the Boston University Bioinformatics PhD program are highly successful, securing jobs in both academia and industry. The global bioinformatics market is projected to accelerate at a 17.4% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2029, reflecting strong demand for professionals skilled in interpreting biological big data. This demand, and our strength in the field, make our graduates highly sought after for this in-demand field.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Graduates of the Boston University PhD in Bioinformatics have gone on to work in leading organizations across biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, data science, and healthcare. Employers include:<\/p>\n These outcomes reflect the program\u2019s strong interdisciplinary training and the high demand for PhD-level bioinformaticians across academia, industry, and healthcare sectors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n Learn the science from someone who is actively defining it.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dr. Campbell is a BU Bioinformatics success story. Having earned his Ph.D. from the program, he now leads cutting-edge research in computational biomedicine, focusing on cancer and lung disease.<\/p>\n His lab tackles complex, high-throughput genomic data to find breakthroughs. He is an expert in developing novel methods\u2014like the Celda framework\u2014to characterize cellular heterogeneity using single-cell RNA sequencing. In collaboration with leading institutions (including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Broad Institute), Dr. Campbell’s work directly targets the genomic alterations in cancer, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets and define strategies for early detection of lung cancer.<\/p>\n See Campbell\u2019s Bio<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n Learn from a leader who is actively using bioinformatics to solve the biggest challenges in brain health.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dr. Labadorf is an active alumnus and a key leader of the MS in Bioinformatics. His lab sits at the critical intersection of neuroscience, genomics, and machine learning, using bioinformatics to understand the molecular secrets of neurodegeneration in human tissue. He has particular expertise in analyzing post-mortem human brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid transcriptomes.<\/p>\n Dr. Labadorf\u2019s research focuses on finding common pathological mechanisms across devastating conditions like Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). His goal is to find commonalities that can lead to novel treatment modalities.<\/p>\n See All Faculty<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The pursuit of a Doctorate in Bioinformatics is a collaborative endeavor designed to help you transform from a technical expert into a creative, imaginative leader with a passion for driving the field forward. Sharpen your knowledge and skills, and gain access to a treasure trove of resources and mentors that will help you develop the intellectual spark needed to achieve something great.<\/p>\n You don’t just join a program; you join a close-knit community<\/strong> built to foster pioneering work. We believe true scientific breakthroughs emerge when diverse educational backgrounds, unique perspectives, and varying skill sets converge. This supportive environment is designed for sharing insights, learning from different cultures, and challenging conventional thought. The student-led BiOS (Bioinformatics Organized Students)<\/strong> committee actively ensures your voice is heard and builds the intellectual and social bonds necessary for deep collaboration.<\/p>\n Share your expertise, strengthen your professional network, and drive fundamental research forward together.<\/p>\n The faculty of the Bioinformatics Program is unmatched in the breadth and depth of its expertise. Together they act as a solid interdisciplinary network for ambitious students from diverse backgrounds to create new paths of innovative research.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u2014 Itai Yanai<\/strong>, PhD, Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine<\/p>\n Learn More About BiOS<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prospective students who have completed a bachelor\u2019s degree may apply for admission to the PhD program. The PhD requires a total of 64 credits, consisting of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses and research credits. While there is a set of required core courses, the precise course of study will be determined in consultation with the student\u2019s academic advisor and will reflect the student\u2019s background and interests.<\/p>\n To be admitted to PhD candidacy, students must demonstrate mastery of the core subject matter (no lower than a \u201cB\u201d in core courses) and complete the oral qualifying examination by the end of the second year.<\/p>\n Please contact Bioinformatics<\/a> to confirm all materials have been received. For further information on requirements, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page<\/a>.<\/p>\n See Full Application Instructions<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n All admitted students to the Boston University Bioinformatics PhD program receive a fully supported funding package<\/strong>. This commitment ensures you can focus entirely on advancing your research without undue financial burden, making this Doctorate in Bioinformatics an excellent and financially sustainable option.<\/p>\n Your comprehensive support package is designed for success. It includes full tuition, health insurance, travel funding<\/strong>, and a highly competitive annual stipend, starting at US $45,000<\/strong>. The funding is administered centrally by the Admissions Committee, meaning no separate financial aid application is required for PhD candidates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Funding is provided through multiple support mechanisms, including Bioinformatics Program Fellowships, Research Assistantships, Teaching Fellowships, and Graduate Teaching Assistantships. The program\u2019s financial foundation is further bolstered by an institutional training grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)<\/a>\u2014specifically the T32 GM100842 award\u2014which provides first-year fellowships at the time of admission.<\/p>\n You are ready to stop analyzing and start defining. Apply for the Boston University Bioinformatics PhD program and lead the next generation of scientific knowledge.<\/p>\n A. The PhD is a full-time program typically requiring four to five years to complete. It requires a total of 64 credits, which are dedicated to lecture\/laboratory courses, seminar courses, and research credits. Your goal is to generate original research that culminates in your dissertation.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n![\"Photo](\"\/cds-faculty\/files\/2025\/11\/Center-for-Computing-and-Data-Sciences-Back-Photo.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhy Choose the Boston University Bioinformatics PhD?<\/h2>\n
Multidisciplinary Leadership
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Cutting-Edge Access<\/h3>\nImpactful Tool Development
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Translational Expertise<\/h3>\nHow to Apply<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Boston Advantage: Global Research Leadership<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Path to Your Doctorate<\/h2>\n
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Requirements for the Doctorate in Bioinformatics<\/h2>\n
Lab Rotation Requirement<\/h3>
Annual Report<\/h3>
Teaching Requirement<\/h3>
Qualifying Oral Examination<\/h3>
Qualifying Thesis Defense Examination<\/h3>
Required Courses for the Doctorate in Bioinformatics<\/h3>
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Student Profiles for the PhD in Bioinformatics<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nJacquelyn Turcinovic<\/h3>\n
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\n<\/section>\nYour Career ROI<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAlumni Employment Outcomes<\/h2>\n
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Industry-Leading Faculty<\/h2>\n
![\"Headshot](\"\/cds-faculty\/files\/2025\/09\/Joshua-D-Campbell.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAssociate Professor in the Department of Medicine & Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences<\/h6>\n
Director of the Bioinformatics Program<\/h6>\n
Co-scientific Director of the Boston University Medical Campus Single Cell Sequencing core<\/h6>\n
Faculty Spotlight: Joshua D. Campbell, Ph.D.<\/h5>\n
![\"Headshot](\"\/cds-faculty\/files\/2025\/12\/Adam-Labadorf.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAssistant Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine<\/h6>\n
Director of Graduate Studies for the BU Bioinformatics Master’s program<\/h6>\n
Faculty Spotlight: Adam T. Labadorf, Ph.D.<\/h5>\n
![\"Quantitative](\"\/cds-faculty\/files\/2024\/09\/Quantitative-Biology-7.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA Community of Innovative Leaders<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nAdmission Requirements for the Doctorate in Bioinformatics<\/h2>\n
How to Apply to the PhD in Bioinformatics<\/h3>\n
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Funding Your PhD in Bioinformatics<\/h2>\n
Funding & Fellowships<\/h3>\n
Your Impact in Bioinformatics Starts Today<\/h2>\n
Start Application<\/a><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/section>\n
FAQs for the PhD in Bioinformatics<\/h2>\n
Q. What is the expected time to degree, and what are the credit requirements?<\/h3>