UB Programs At-A-Glance

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Department of Biological Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences
109 Cooke Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-1300

Phone: 716.645.2363
Fax: 716.645.2975
Web: www.biology.buffalo.edu

James R. Lafountain
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
201 Bell Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-2000

Phone: 716.645.3180
Fax: 716.645.3464
Web: www.cse.buffalo.edu

Jaynee Straw
Program Undergraduate Advisor

Department of Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences
244 Mathematics Building
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716.645.6284
Fax: 716.645.5039
Web: www.math.buffalo.edu

John Ringland
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
124 Sherman Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3078

Phone: 716.829.2738
Fax: 716.829.2344
Web: www.smbs.buffalo.edu/phys/

Shinpei Ohki
Director of Undergraduate Biophysics Programs

About Our Department

The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) program is an interdisciplinary program that involves the application of mathematics and computing to the study of genes and proteins; computational biology aulresses more general questions involving computing applied to cellular and sub-cellular structures. As such, students in bioinformatics and computational biology integrate topics of applied mathematics, computer science, and biology into specialties as diverse as genetics, biophysics, computational science, and microbiology.

Students in the BCB program select a major from among four concentrations, offered in the Departments of Biological Sciences, Physiology and Biophysics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Mathematics.

Departmental Resources

In aulition to the numerous research opportunities available to undergraduates through their major, UB has centers for research in high performance computing, visualization, and the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics which merges supercomputing and visualization with expertise in genomics, proteomics, bioimaging and pharmaceutical sciences to foster advances in science and health care. Some noteworthy links for further information:

National News

The Bioinformatics Surge

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate: B.S.
Concentrations: Biological Sciences, Biophysics, Computer Science and Engineering, and Mathematics

About Our Degrees

Students in the program complete a full major in their area of concentration and also take aulitional courses important to bioinformatics in disciplines that complement their concentration. All students take courses in calculus, statistics, molecular biology, organic chemistry, and databases, as well as a core course in bioinformatics.

Students enroll in a bioinformatics seminar and complete an interdisciplinary project during their senior year. Through these capstone events and the bioinformatics course, students integrate different fields of study into a coherent whole.

Acceptance Criteria

Minimum GPA of 2.5 overall.
Minimum GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses.

Acceptance Information

Students may indicate a preference to major in bioinformatics at any time, although acceptance into the major occurs only after a review of a student’s progress at the end of four semesters of coursework. In exceptional circumstances, a student who wishes to major in bioinformatics may request a waiver or modification of the acceptance requirements. It is recommended that the prerequisite courses be completed by the end of the fourth semester; students with advanced placement credit may complete these courses earlier, and may then request acceptance into the program. Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all major courses (a student may request a waiver or modification of this GPA requirement in exceptional cases). Students who follow the BCB program of study for several semesters but whom, for whatever reason, decide not to complete those requirements, can complete a traditional major in their area of concentration.

Deadlines: Rolling
Projected number of accepted majors (2004-2005): 10
Projected number of accepted majors by 2010: 20

Degree Requirements

See the Undergraduate Catalog.

About Our Courses

There are no courses specific only to bioinformatics and computational biology. Rather, the program utilizes courses in biological sciences, biophysics, computer science and engineering, and mathematics, among other fields.

About Our Faculty

See the sections on faculty within the following Web sites:

Department of Biological Sciences

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Department of Mathematics

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

Special Academic Opportunities

Students should contact their departmental advisor for inquiries regarding internships, independent study, and undergraduate research opportunities.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

There are no specific scholarships set aside for this program. Interested students should contact the program advisor of their matriculated department for availability of scholarships and awards as well as the university’s honors program.

Extracurricular Activities

In the Department of Biological Sciences:

Undergraduate Biology Association
This organization is an active group open to all students. It sponsors special speakers on research, graduate school, and other selected topics. It also sponsors social activities.

In the Department of Computer Science and Engineering:


In the Department of Mathematics:

Undergraduate Mathematics Club. This is an entirely student-run club that plans a variety of academic and community involvement activities, such as field trips, a commencement ceremony, and volunteer work for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. For information stop by 350 Student Union, or call 716-645-2950.

See the UB Student Association.

Complementary Programs and Courses

Majors that Complement Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

  • Biological Sciences
  • Biophysics
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematics-Economics
  • Mathematics-Physics


Minors that Complement Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

  • Biological Sciences
  • Computer Science
  • Mathematics

Career Information

Companies need a cross-functional workforce skilled in information technology and with a serious interest and knowledge of the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. Bioinformaticians should be prepared to offer complete cost-effective database solutions to genome-based biotech companies all over the world. Bioinformatics is a fast-paced, growth-oriented, multi-billion dollar industry with applications that affect virtually every aspect of daily life.

According to a study conducted by RIT, biotechnology companies located in Western New York seek individuals highly skilled in the disciplines of microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, and information management. In aulition, companies reported a need for graduates who have a better knowledge and understanding of topics not typically found in college curricula, such as: good laboratory practices, good manufacturing practices, regulatory issues, instrument validation, and laboratory notebook and record keeping skills that conform to industry and government standards. Practical experience, such as participation in co-op or internship positions in this industry, is also key to finding employment in this area.

Careers That Graduates Pursue

Bioinformatics prepare students for graduate studies in either a bioinformatics-related field or in a traditional discipline, as well as for immediate entry into the job market. Some career opportunities in related areas are:

  • Life Sciences: Scientific curator, gene analyst, protein analyst, phylogenitist, research scientist / associate.
  • Computer Science/Engineering: Data base programmer, bioinformatics software developer, computational biologist, network administrator/analyst.
  • Applied Science: Structural analyst, molecular modeler, bio-statistician, biomechanics, database programmer.
  • Pharmaceutical Science: Cheminformatician, pharmacogenetician, pharmacogenomics, research scientist/associate.


Percent of Graduates Who Find Related Employment

This degree is too new to report such data for UB. Literature tells us, however, that there is a growing need nationally and internationally for bioinformaticians, especially graduates with a good grounding in computer science and software engineering, and an appreciation of the biological aspects of the problems to be solved.

According to the RIT survey, most biotechnology companies in Western New York indicated that the majority of new employees will be hired at the bachelor’s degree level or above and that most companies prefer hiring employees with either a bachelors degree (84.2%) or a doctoral degree (76.3%) and they predict that this hiring trend will continue. The study also indicated that graduates from schools lacking a biotechnology program either show a low success rate or are unfamiliar with the success rate of graduates in finding employment in the biotechnology sector. On the other hand, more than half of the respondents from schools with a biotechnology program reported that more than three-quarters of their students were successful in finding employment in the biotechnology field. Success in obtaining employment, particularly in high-tech fields, also depends on experience. Employers seem to favor those candidates who have both the academic credentials and some level of experience, particularly if that experience is in an industrial setting.

Graduate Opportunities at UB

  • Biomaterials
  • Biophysics
  • Biophysics (Interdisciplinary)
  • Biophysics (Molecular and Cellular, Roswell)
  • Biostatistics
  • Biotechnology
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Roswell Park Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Science
  • School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
  • Structural Biology


Aulitional Resources

Career Resources Center

Links to Further Information About This Program