Translate Biological Research Data into Knowledge That Improves Human Health
The Bioinformatics minor introduces you to the fields of bioinformatics and data science, giving you opportunities to develop skills in data handling, cloud computing, big data management and biomedical informatics. Dive into research and project-based coursework alongside your professors, and present professional-level research as an undergraduate.
Why study Bioinformatics at St. Edward's?
Studying bioinformatics enhances your skills in critical thinking, research and analysis, teamwork, and communication — valuable assets to any career. The Bioinformatics minor strengthens most any degree you pursue, especially in the sciences, such as mathematics, computer science, biology and biochemistry.
Explore Details About a Minor in Bioinformatics
To complete the minor, students take 11 hours of required courses and 10–12 hours of electives. For the electives, a minimum of two courses must be 3000-level or higher and a minimum of one course must be a 4-credit course.
Required Courses: 11 hours
- Bioinformatics I (1 hour)
- General Biology I (3 hours)
- General Biology I Lab (1 hour)
- Molecular Genetics (3 hours)
- Biological Programming (3 hours)
Required Electives: Choose 10–12 hours
- Biostatistics (3 hours)
- Genomics (4 hours)
- Bioinformatics II (4 hours)
- Human Genetics (3 hours)
- Geographic Information Systems (3 hours)
- Computing Sciences Concepts II (4 hours)
- Component Based Programming (3 hours)
- Introduction to Data Science (4 hours)
What You Will Learn
Studying bioinformatics provides a clear picture of the important role the field plays in the advancement of biomedical research, effective medicine, healthcare and public health worldwide. You’ll gain a hands-on understanding of how massive sets of biological data are generated, organized and used to gain insights into molecular life science.
A few examples of courses students in this minor take:
- Molecular Genetics – Offers a study of the structure and function of DNA as the genetic material and focuses on details surrounding the “central dogma of molecular biology,” including DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing and translation, as well as mechanisms of control and regulation of expression of genetic information.
- Biostatistics – Provides an introduction to statistical methods and their application to biology. Topics include basics of probability, measures of central tendency, graphing and parametric tests, including but not limited to t-test, Chisquare, ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, correlation and regression. This course utilizes R programming code and will spend time developing basic coding skills. No previous coding or computer science experience is required.
Research
In the Bioinformatics minor, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out independent and faculty-mentored research utilizing the university’s state-of-the-art labs, greenhouse and Wild Basin Creative Research Center, a nature preserve in Austin managed by St. Edward’s. You’ll be encouraged to present your research findings at scientific meetings regionally and on campus.
The St. Edward’s chapter of the Texas Academy of Science supports student research, including presentation and publication opportunities. Members also tutor in the sciences and complete other service projects.