BIOINFORMATICS, BS
Bioinformatics
The UAB Undergraduate Program in Bioinformatics (BIOI) is an interdisciplinary major between the Institute of Informatics and Department of Genetics in the Heersink School of Medicine and the Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Our society's accelerated scientific growth is generating an unprecedented quantity of information, while computer science is learning how to handle this information through developments in data science. In particular, data from the sequencing of the human genome is helping us better understand living systems and is guiding treatment of human disease through precision medicine. That information must be stored, managed, and analyzed to reveal its biological meaning to help shape the future of research and healthcare.
Bioinformatics is the discipline that connects the biological sciences, genetics, chemistry, computer science, data science, IT, engineering, applied mathematics, biostatistics, computing, and biomedical engineering. This new major is designed to build on these disciplines and provide students with a marketable degree — with an extensive background in an array of subjects — that will provide cutting-edge employment opportunities, as well as a platform for success in graduate school, medical school, and other clinical-professional schools.
As the first B.S. in Bioinformatics in the state of Alabama, this program will train students in basic concepts and skills to perform computational analysis of biological data — including the human genome. This will also create a well-trained workforce who can take on future healthcare challenges in the state of Alabama.
As members of an interdisciplinary program at UAB, Bioinformatics students will be able to participate in research with faculty from departments across the university, including:
- Heersink School of Medicine Basic Science Departments
- Heersink School of Medicine Clinical Science Departments
- Computer Science
- Biology
- Biostatistics
Admissions
High school students with an ACT score of 28 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher (the UAB Honors College admissions criteria) are eligible for immediate acceptance into the Bioinformatics major. Current UAB students, or transfer students, with a 3.0 GPA are eligible for Bioinformatics. Incoming freshman or transfer and current UAB students may be admitted into Pre-Bioinformatics with a 2.8 GPA. Remaining in Pre-Bioinformatics requires the maintenance of a 2.8 overall UAB GPA.
Advising and Information
John Johnstone
Bioinformatics Co-Director
Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science
email
(205) 975-5633
Elliot Lefkowitz
Bioinformatics Co-Director
Professor, Department of Microbiology; Informatics Institute
email
(205) 934-1946
Evan Reddick
CAS Academic Advisor
email
(205) 975-9214
