Bioinformatics: Computer Science, MS
for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration
The Department of Computer Science is one of the longest established computer science departments in the world and is consistently ranked as a top-5 graduate program.
The MS in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration is an interdisciplinary degree that can be counted toward the PhD in Computer Science.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The recommended background for students entering a Computer Science graduate degree program is a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general aptitude tests (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) are no longer required. However, in some cases, GRE general scores may provide helpful supporting information.
Applicants to the Computer Science Concentration of the MS in Bioinformatics program must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 (A = 4.00) in their undergraduate studies (international GPAs are systematically converted) to be considered. The department reserves the right to admit applicants with lower GPAs under rare and exceptional circumstances. If an applicant also holds a graduate degree, the minimum GPA for that degree must be 3.00. Full details of the programs offered by Computer Science, admissibility, application procedures, and deadlines can be found at the department's Prospective Graduate Student Information website.
All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores as evidence of English proficiency. Minimum admission requirements are set by the Graduate College.
Financial Aid
Research assistantships and teaching assistantships (all of which include tuition and partial fee waivers) are awarded on a competitive basis. All applicants, regardless of US citizenship, whose native language is not English and who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships (one of the most common forms of financial aid for new graduate students in the department) must demonstrate spoken English language proficiency by achieving a minimum score of 24 on the speaking subsection of the TOEFL iBT or 8 on the speaking subsection of the IELTS (academic exam). Students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS are required to receive a minimum score of 5 on the OEAI test, offered on campus. All new teaching assistants are required to participate in the Graduate Academy for College Teaching conducted prior to the start of the semester.
for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration
The Computer Science concentration for the MS in Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary degree that can be counted toward the Computer Science PhD.
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Degree Requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CS 411 | Database Systems | 4 |
| CS 473 | Algorithms | 4 |
| STAT 410 | Statistics and Probability II | 4 |
| Fundamental Bioinformatics (choose one) | 4 | |
| Applied Bioinformatics | ||
| Statistical Genomics | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Bioinformatics & Systems Biol | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics | ||
| Principles of Systematics | ||
| Computing in Molecular Biology | ||
| Biology (choose one) | 4 | |
| Human Genetics | ||
| Applied Animal Genetics | ||
| Population Genetics | ||
| Introduction to Biophysics | ||
| Biomolecular Physics | ||
| Advanced Plant Genetics | ||
| Genomics for Plant Improvement | ||
| Chromosomes | ||
CPSC 564 | ||
| Plant Gene Regulation | ||
| Cancer Cell Biology | ||
| Introductory Biochemistry | ||
| Advanced Biochemistry | ||
| Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology | ||
| CS electives, chosen from a departmental list of CS electives. | 12 | |
| One additional 4-credit hour graduate course (may be from the bioinformatics or biological science categories above) | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Other Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Other Requirements and Conditions may overlap | ||
| A minimum of 12 500-level credit hours overall. | ||
| The minimum program GPA is 3.0 | ||
| All degree requirements must be completed within five consecutive semesters (only fall and spring semesters are counted). | ||
for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration
- Apply the essential concepts in algorithm design and analysis, and the ways in which those concepts impact bioinformatics.
- Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, discuss, and critique scientific advances and limitations described in the research literature.
- Implement bioinformatics software tools and use these tools in biological data analysis.
- Effectively and accurately communicate to an interdisciplinary audience in both oral and written formats.
- Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to follow ethical standards in research and professional service.
for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration
Computer Science
Department Head: Nancy Amato
Director of Graduate Studies: Darko Marinov
Computer Science website
1210 Siebel Center, 201 N Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-4428
Computer Science email
Bioinformatics Program
Computer Science Contact: Viveka P Kudaligama
Informatics Contact: Karin Readel
Informatics phone: (217)-244-1220
Bioinformatics Program website
Bioinformatics Computer Science Program website
Informatics Faculty Affiliates
Grainger College of Engineering
Grainger College of Engineering website
Admissions
Computer Science Admissions & Requirements
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements