Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology
Computational Biology is concerned with solving biological and biomedical problems using mathematical and computational methods. It is recognized as an essential element in modern biological and biomedical research. There have been fundamental changes in biology and medicine over the past decade due to spectacular advances in biomedical imaging, genomics, and proteomics. The nature of these changes demands the application of novel theories and advanced computational tools to decipher the implications of these data, and to devise methods of controlling or modifying biological function. Consequently, Computational Biologists must be well trained and grounded in biology, mathematics, and computer science.
The School of Computer Science and Mellon College of Science have joined forces to establish an exciting interdisciplinary program leading to a B.S. in Computational Biology. The goal of this degree program is to provide an intensive interdisciplinary education to enable outstanding students to become leaders in identifying and solving tomorrow's biological problems using computational methods. The program's curriculum is truly interdisciplinary and is designed for students interested in the intersection of Biology and Computer Science.
Applications to the program are invited from current sophomores. Applicants must have completed, or be currently enrolled in: 03-231 Biochemistry I and 15-210 Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms. Applicants must submit an informal transcript (whiteprint, obtainable from their academic advisor) and an essay describing their interest in the program. Completed applications should be submitted to Dr. Maggie Braun at mabraun@andrew.cmu.edu in Doherty Hall 1320, Dr. Karen Thickman at krthickman@cmu.edu in GHC 7403, or Dr. Tom Cortina at tcortina@cs.cmu.edu in GHC 4117 no later than one week after midsemester grades are released in a given semester.
Degree Requirements
Math/Stats Core -
| 21-120 |
Differential and Integral Calculus |
10 |
| 21-122 |
Integration, Differential Equations and Approximation |
10 |
| 21-127 |
Concepts of Mathematics |
9 |
| 21-XXX Math Elective (21-241, 21-260, 21-341) |
9 |
| 36-XXX Statistics Elective (36-217, 36-225, 36-247, 36-625) |
9 |
General Science Core
| 09-105 |
Introduction to Modern Chemistry I |
10 |
| 09-106 |
Modern Chemistry II |
10 |
| 09-217 |
Organic Chemistry I |
9 |
| 33-111 |
Physics I for Science Students |
12 |
Biological Sciences Core -
| 03-121 |
Modern Biology |
9 |
| 03-231 |
Biochemistry I |
9 |
| or |
03-232 Biochemistry I (9 units) |
| 03-240 |
Cell Biology |
9 |
| 03-330 |
Genetics |
9 |
| 03-343 |
Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology |
12 |
|
03-342 is a corequisite for 03-343 |
|
| 03-201 |
Undergraduate Colloquium for Sophomores |
1 |
| or |
15-128 Freshman Immigration Course (1 units) |
| 03-411 |
Topics in Research |
1 |
Computer Science Core -
| 15-122 |
Principles of Imperative Computation |
10 |
| 15-150 |
Principles of Functional Programming |
10 |
| 15-210 |
Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms |
12 |
| 15-251 |
Great Theoretical Ideas in Computer Science |
12 |
| 15-451 |
Algorithm Design and Analysis |
12 |
Major Electives -
| 03-511 |
Computational Molecular Biology and Genomics |
9 |
| 03-XXX, 15-XXX, or 02-XXX Computational Biology Electives |
18-24 |
| 03-3XX Advanced Biology Elective |
9 |
| 15-XXX Advanced Computer Science Elective (15-211 or higher) |
9 |
General Education -
| 99-10x |
Computing @ Carnegie Mellon |
3 |
| 76-101 |
Interpretation and Argument |
9 |
| Elective Cognition, Choice and Behavior |
9 |
| Elective Economics, Political and Social Institutions |
9 |
| Elective Cultural Analysis |
9 |
| Elective Non-technical Elective |
9 |
| Elective Non-technical Elective |
9 |
| Elective Non-technical Elective |
9 |
| Elective Non-technical Elective |
9 |
Minimum number of units required for degree: 360
