Bioinformatics Ph.D. Minor

Our school offers a 12-credit Bioinformatics Ph.D. minor to graduate students with a background in biology, computer science, or another basic science. You’ll learn to solve practical biological problems and build a foundation in bioinformatics knowledge, methods, and techniques—valuable training for research in your field.

Translational bioinformatics

This degree examines topics including next generation sequencing (NGS), omics technologies, system biology, database management, data analytics, statistics, data mining, machine learning, and other translational bioinformatics.

Our expert faculty expose you to and prepare you for new career opportunities.

To be admitted to the Ph.D. Minor in Bioinformatics, students must be currently enrolled as a doctoral student in good academic standing in any IU or Purdue school. Students enrolled in other departments at our school also are welcome to apply.

How to apply

Students who would like to apply to the Ph.D. minor in Bioinformatics must submit via email to the Graduate Program Coordinator at luddygrd@iu.edu an application package (PDF) containing:

• A resume that specifies the IU or Purdue Ph.D. program in which the student is currently enrolled
• An IU Indianapolis student ID
• A one-page personal statement that includes identification of a minor advisor within the Bioinformatics graduate faculty.
• A brief message from the primary advisor who approves the student’s request

Accepted students will be notified promptly.

The Ph.D. Minor in Bioinformatics is a 12-credit hour program with four 3-credit-hour courses.

Required course (3 cr.)

• INFO-B 519 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 cr.)

Specialization courses (9 cr.)

Students will select three of the following courses.

• INFO-B 529 Machine Learning in Bioinformatics (3 cr.)
• INFO-B 556 Biological Database Management (3 cr.)
• INFO-B 573 Programming for Chem/Life Science (3 cr.)
• INFO-B 528 Computational Methods for Analyzing High-Throughput Biological Data  (3 cr.)
• INFO-I 590 Next Generation Sequencing  (3 cr.)
• INFO-B 646 Computational System Biology (3 cr.)
• GRDM-G 848 Bioinformatics, Genomics, Proteomics and Systems Biology (2 cr.) + INFO B-552 Independent Study in Bioinformatics (1 cr.)

Grading policy

A minimum of B (3.0) is required in each course that is to count toward the minor. If a minimum of B (3.0) is not earned in a course, that course must be retaken. A course may only be retaken once. Students who fail to achieve the minimum grade of B (3.0) the second time they take a course will not be able to earn the Ph.D. minor.

Qualifying examination

The Ph.D. minor in Bioinformatics does not require a qualifying examination.