Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is proving to be a necessary tool for biologists, medical researchers, and drug designers in understanding genes, gene expression, SNPs, proteins, pathways, and in studying disease. It is also playing an increasingly important role in identifying, characterizing, and selecting potential lead compounds and in understanding target molecules for drug development and production. As the biotechnology industry expands, a growing number of discoveries will move out of research laboratories and into commercial production. The explosion of sequence data from the human genome project and other large scale and small scale sequencing projects calls for skilled professionals who can develop and use sophisticated computer applications to unlock the information within the genetic code, with the ultimate goal of delivering life saving therapies. To meet the demand for skilled bioinformatics professionals, the Whiting School of Engineering Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals and the Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences' Advanced Academic Programs have joined forces to offer a degree in the new and rapidly evolving discipline that combines computer science and molecular biology. The bioinformatics degree draws on the faculty and resources from within each school to provide professionals with in-depth knowledge and technical skills in computational biology, preparing students for careers in bioinformatics and computational biology.