Graduate Catalog :: Bioinformatics :: University of Memphis

Bioinformatics

Ramin Homayouni, PhD
Program Director
Room 107, Scates Hall
(901) 678-3550

Email: rhomayon@memphis.edu

http://cas.memphis.edu/binf/

Master of Science in Bioinformatics

All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) as well as the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

A. Admission Requirements

GRE scores are required and are an important factor for admission;
Two letters of recommendation;
A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 210 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (for students whose native language is not English);
Undergraduate degree in biology, computer science, or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

B. Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of the following courses (or their equivalents) as determined by the Program Director:
1. Computer Science
  1. Introduction to Computer Science (COMP 1900)
  2. Data Structures (COMP 2150)
  3. Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms (COMP 3160)
2. Mathematics
  1. Calculus I and II ( MATH 1910 and 1920)
  2. Introduction to Probability Theory (MATH 4635)
  3. Discrete Structures (MATH 2701)
3. Biology
  1. Biochemistry I (BIOL 4511-6511; same as CHEM 4511)
  2. Cell Biology (BIOL 3130)

C. Program Requirements:

Candidates must satisfactorily complete 37 credit hours of graduate course work 26 hours of which must be 7000 level or higher) as approved by the Program Advisor and distributed as follows:

Major Field Core (19 credit hours):
BINF 7295 Introduction to Bioinformatics
BINF 7980 Research Seminar in Bioinformatics
COMP 6030 Introduction to Algorithms
COMP 7119 Bioinformatics Software and Database Systems
COMP 7296 Computational Tools for Bioinformatics
MATH 6635 Introduction to Probability Theory
MATH 7221 Statistical Methods for Analyzing Gene Expression Data
Biology: 6 credit hours chosen from:
BIOL 7131 Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL 7470 Advanced Bacterial Genetics
BIOL 7701 Introduction to Genomics & Bioinformatics
BIOL 7703 Molecular Biology of Cancer
BIOM 7004 Life Sciences 1
Electives: 9 credit hours chosen from:
BIOL 6093 Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology
CHEM 6415 Computational Chemistry
COMP 6601 Advanced Databases
COMP 7116 Models of Computation
COMP 7118 Data Mining
COMP 7282 Evolutionary Computations
COMP 7290 Molecular Computing
COMP 7717 Topics in Algorithm
COMP 7740 Neural Networks
COMP 7760 Control of Autonomous Agents
COMP 7517 Topics in Human-Computer Interaction
MATH 6607 Introduction to SAS Programming
MATH 7641 Analysis of Variance
MATH 7642 Design of Experiments
MATH 7643 Regression Analysis
MATH 7647 Nonparametric Methods
MATH 7657 Multivariate Methods
MATH 7660 Applied Time Series Analysis
MATH 7680 Bayesian Inference
MATH 7685 Statistical Computing and Simulation
MATH 7695 Bootstrap and Other Resampling Methods
Thesis: 3 credit hours BINF 7996. NOTE: Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before beginning to write.

BIOINFORMATICS (BINF)

BINF 7701 - Intro Genomics/Bioinformatics (3)
Accelerated introduction to molecular and genomic sciences, covering basic concepts of gene and protein structure/ function, genome sequencing and annotation, single nucleotide polymorphism, genetic variation, gene expression, and functional genomics and proteomics. PREREQUISITE: Permission of Instructor.

BINF 7980 - Rsch Sem/Bioinformatics (1)
Current research topics in Bioinformatics.

BINF 7991 - Bioinformatics Internship (1-3)
Supervised practical experience conducted in industrial, academic research or clinical research organizations. The project must be approved by the program director and may be supervised by any faculty in the program. A written report is required. May be repeated for a total of 12 semester hours. NOTE: Credit is not applicable toward Bioinformatics Master's Degree. Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.

BINF 7992 - Bioinformatics Project (3)
Research project conducted in lieu of a Master's thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. The project must be approved by the program director and may be supervised by any faculty in the program. A written report and an oral presentation are required for satisfactory completion of the course. Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.

BINF 7996 - Bioinformatics Thesis (1-6)
Supervised research in preparation for advanced degree thesis. May be repeated for up to 6 hours. Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.