MS Bioinformatics
This is a degree program designed for individuals from diverse backgrounds to acquire knowledge and techniques with a curriculum established for professional development and communication training, aiming at producing graduates who are ready to serve as research, managerial, or technical professionals in various areas of bioinformatics and computational molecular biology. The main goal is to train professionals with necessary scientific skills in the workplace to enhance our future economy through promoting innovations in science and technology.
Bioinformatics focuses on the management and interpretation of biological data. It is the study whereby data acquired from complex biological phenomena are analyzed and modeled using sophisticated numerical methodologies. The availability of genomic sequence information from viruses to humans has created urgent needs for professionals who are able to decipher these sequences and give them meanings. The complexity of such an enormous amount of biological data requires high-performance computer hardware and software in their computational analyses and interpretations by professionals with well-trained computing skills. The training should also encourage development of strong statistical reasoning with a good understanding of the biomedical aspects of the problem.
The interdisciplinary curriculum of the MS degree is designed for students with diverse backgrounds to acquire knowledge and skills in a cooperative learning environment. Our bioinformatics MS graduates will be able to function as specialists at the interface of biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and statistics for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, infectious diseases, environmental science, forensics, and biomedical research. For more details, please email us at bioinformatics@utep.edu or use Information Request Form. For application procedure, please click Admission Process.
In addition to a grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 2001, UTEP's professional development in bioinformatics was also supported in part by Texas Workforce Commission with the concept of training modern science professionals. Please read an article "A Degree of Uncommon Success" from The Chronicle of Higher Education about the increasing significance of PSM programs across the country.