Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Use electronic health records to prevent future pandemics. Help analyze genetic data to develop new cancer drugs. Create advanced computer models that lead to more resilient ecosystems. If these things sound interesting to you—and if you like using science, math, data and statistics—then this program could be exactly what you're looking for. This program is for students who want a highly interdisciplinary major, with the freedom to focus on biology, computer science or informatics (using data to improve health).
What will I learn?
In this major, you'll take core classes in calculus, statistics, molecular biology, organic chemistry and databases, as well as bioinformatics.
From there, your courses will be based on your specific concentration; all students must choose one of these areas to focus in:
- Biological sciences. Learn how to study genes and proteins using math and computing.
- Biomedical informatics. Gain technical skills needed to analyze health care data and improve outcomes.
- Computer science and engineering. Apply computing to answer questions related to cellular and sub-cellular structures.
What can I do with a bioinformatics degree?
You'll typically find job opportunities at many different types of organizations, including hospitals, research institutions, government agencies such as the CDC and NIH, and private companies.
Given that bioinformatics graduates are needed in so many different industries, these are just a few of the careers that may be open to you:
- Application programmer.
- Biotech researcher.
- Chief medical information officer.
- Health care analyst.
- Systems analyst.
- University professor.
In addition, many students in this program go to medical school or get a graduate degree in bioinformatics or a related field, which is especially useful if you want to work at a university or in an advanced research field.
By the Numbers
Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.
| Occupation Title | Mean Annual Wage | Mean Hourly Wage | Future Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $103,650.00 | $49.83 | Rapid Growth |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $111,960.00 | $53.83 | Rapid Growth |
| Data Scientists | $75,620.00 | $36.36 | Rapid Growth |
| Biological Technicians | $123,070.00 | $59.17 | Rapid Growth |
Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.