• Undergraduate Bioinformatics Education Conference
  • Apply Online

  • Spotlight

    more spotlights
    aaron_seckar
    Aaron Seckar
    Bioinformatics Major
    Class of 2012

     There is SO much to do here: campus ministry trips, orientation committee, SGA, clubs, intramurals, just to point out a few. 

    Continue Reading

  • Contact Us

    Dr. Stephen M. Jodis, Dean
    The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing
    Phone: (724) 805-2631
    stephen.jodis@email.stvincent.edu 

Home > Majors and Programs > Bioinformatics

  • The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Science, Mathematics, and Computing

    Bioinformatics Undergraduate Degree

    The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Degree program at Saint Vincent College applies the discrete analytical tools of mathematics and computer science to the fields of biology, biochemistry, biophysics, medicine, and health.

    Apply now for NSF-funded four year, full-tuition Bioinformatics scholarships!

    • Graduates from the Bioinformatics Undergraduate Degree program have been accepted at graduate programs at Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Michigan. A 2012 graduate, Aaron Seckar, received a job offer from UPMC prior to graduation.
       
    • Students in the Bioinformatics Undergraduate Degree program have the opportunity to participate in outstanding internship and summer research programs, both on and off-campus. Previous placements include Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University, the University of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Supercomputer Center, and Duquesne University.
       
    • We have a long-running project in collaboration with Dr. Mark Sangimino of Allegheny General Hospital that several students have participated in. The project involves the development of an automated educational system for pediatric orthopedic patients and their families. Participation in the project allows students to learn both back-end programming and database development skills and about the doctor-patient interactions in the clinic. A recent graduate, Martin Sherbondy, used his senior research project to test the effectiveness of the system in the clinic.
       
    • Applicants to the program have the opportunity to apply for NSF-funded four year, full-tuition STEP scholarships. Students in the program also have the opportunity to participate in the Collaborative Learning Program, a peer-led learning program, as well as the Emerging Research Scholars Program.
       
    • Bioinformatics Undergraduate students participate in monthly Bioinformatics program meetings where they get to know other students in the program and discuss recent developments or topics in Bioinformatics, present work they did on summer projects, and learn about what seniors are doing for their senior research projects, all with food and drinks provided! There is also an end-of-year barbeque and mini-golf outing.
       
    • To train students deeply in both computer science and biology, along with some math and chemistry.
    • To provide students with a solid foundational understanding of cellular and molecular biology.
    • To develop students’ abilities to solve biological problems using computational tools.
    • To develop students’ abilities to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
    • To allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing and carrying out a capstone project.
    • To provide students with the opportunity to participate in internships that complement and enhance their academic training.
    • To prepare students for a variety of career options including:
      • graduate programs at the Master's or Doctoral level
      • pre-professional training programs, such as medical school or dental school 
      • entering the workforce in the healthcare, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries, or in research institutes affiliated with governments, universities, and hospitals 
       

    Major Requirements (66 credits):  

    Bioinformatics Requirements(10 credits) 
    BIN 218 Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics  - 3 credits
    BIN 219 Biomedical Informatics - 3 credits 
    BIN 357 Bioinformatics Junior Seminar - 1 credit
    BIN 358 Bioinformatics Senior Research - 2 credits
    BIN 359 Bioinformatics Senior Seminar - 1 credit

     
    Biology Requirements (22 credits)
    BL 150 General Biology I - 3 credits 
    BL 152 General Biology II - 3 credits 
    BL 151 General Biology Laboratory I - 1 credit
    BL 153 General Biology Laboratory II - 1 credit
    BL 208 Cell Biology - 3 credits
    BL 209 Cell Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
    BL 214 Molecular Genetics - 3 credits
    BL 215 Molecular Genetics Laboratory - 1 credit
    BL 260 Biostatistics - 3 credits
    And one of the following (the associated lab is recommended, but not required):
      BL 212 Microbiology - 3 credits
      BL 216 Biotechnology - 3 credits
      BL 222 Developmental Biology - 3 credits
      BL 224 Mamalian Physiology - 3 credits
      BL 234 Evolution and Systematics - 3 credits
      BL 250 Medical Microbiology - 3 credits
      CH 251 Proteins and Metabolism - 3 credits
      CH 252 Nucleic Acids and Membranes - 3 credits

    CIS Requirements (18 credits)
    CS 110 Computing and Information Science I - 3 credits 
    CS 111 Computing and Information Science II - 3 credits
    CS 170 Discrete Structures I - 3 credits
    CS 221 Data Structures - 3 credits
    CS 350 Database Concepts and Information Structures - 3 credits 
    And one of the following:
      CS 205 Web Site Design and Programming - 3 credits
      CS 255 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence - 3 credits
      CS 270 Introduction to Numerical Computation - 3 credits
      CS 305 Web Technologies - 3 credits
      CS 310 Programming Languages - 3 credits

    Mathematics Requirements (4 credits)
    MA 111 Calculus I - 4 credits

    Chemistry Requirements (12 credits)
    CH 101 General Chemistry I - 3 credits
    CH 102 General Chemistry II - 3 credits
    CH 103 General Chemistry Laboratory I - 1 credit
    CH 104 General Chemistry Laboratory II - 1 credit
    CH 221 Organic Chemistry I- 3 credits
    CH 223 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory - 1 credit

    There are no formal prerequisites for the Bioinformatics Undergraduate Degree program, although students should have a strong science background and good quantitative ability. Prior computer programming experience is not required.

    Fall and Spring
    General Chemistry - 3 credits
    General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 credit
    Computing and Information Science I - 3 credits
    General Biology  - 3 credits
    General Biology Laboratory - 1 credit
    Core - 3 credits

    All students will take a three (3) credit course designated as a Freshman Seminar which will satisfy a core curriculum requirement.