Standard Program for
ScB Degree in Computational Biology

This standard Sc.B. concentration in computational biology is designed to provide a sound pedagogical foundation for the field that is at the intersection of computer science, biology, and related disciplines. Problems of molecular biology are practically insolvable without sophisticated use of computers; additional targets are medical diagnostics, therapeutics, and pharmacology. The core of this concentration is designed to provide a balanced background for the field; the tracks are designed to differentiate among a number of professions with distinct expertise and skills. The Department of Computer Science, the Division of Biology and Medicine, the Division of Applied Mathematics, and the Department of Chemistry each appoint a concentration advisor.

Prerequisites:

• MATH 0100 or MATH 0170

• BIOL 0200

• or equivalents.

General Core Requirements:

  1. Chemisty: CHEM 0330.
  2. Biology: BIOL 0470; Prerequisite: BIOL 0200 or equivalent, and one of the following: BIOL 0280, 0500.
  3. Probability and Statistics: APMA 1650.
  4. Computer Science: CSCI 0150 (no prerequisite); CSCI 0160 (Prerequisite: CSCI 0150) or CSCI 0170, 0180, or 0190, 0220 (no prerequisite).

Computational Biology Core Course Requirements:

• CSCI 1810: Prerequisite (CSCI 0160 or 0180) and CSCI 0220

• APMA 1080


Capstone Experience: Students enrolled in the computational biology concentration will complete a research project in their senior year under faculty supervision. The themes of such projects evolve with the field and the technology, but should represent a synthesis of the various specialties of the program. A minimum of one semester of independent study is required (such as BIOL 1950 or CSCI 1970), although many students may conduct a full year of independent study.

Honors: To be a candidate for honors, a student must have a course record judged to be excellent by the concentration advisor and must complete a thesis judged to be outstanding by the faculty member supervising the work.

Specialized Tracks:

Students choose one of the following three tracks and take three or four courses within the chosen track. The current concentration advisors associated with each track are listed below.

1) Computational Genomics Track: This track is designed for students whose interests lie in the development of algorithms and high-quality software (tools and systems) for biological applications. Current concentration advisor (currently Professor Thomas Doeppner, Department of Computer Science).

• Three of the following: CSCI 1230; CSCI 1270; CSCI 1410, CSCI 1550, CSCI 1570 or other Computer Science courses approved by the concentration advisor.

• Three of the following: CSCI 0310; CSCI 0320; CSCI 0360; CSCI 1950L; PHP 2620; APMA 1660; BIOL 1430.

2) Biological Sciences Track: This track is designed for students whose interests lean more towards biological questions. Students shall take at least four courses comprising a coherent theme. The courses are to be approved by the concentration advisor (currently Professor David Rand, Division of Biology and Medicine).

  1. biochemistry.
  2. ecology
  3. evolution
  4. genetics
  5. neurobiology


Two courses from the following: CSCI 1950L; PHP 2620; APMA 1660; BIOL 1430.

3) Molecular Modeling Track: This track is designed for students who wish to gain competence in the field of molecular modeling and drug design. The specific courses for this track should form a coherent theme related to the independent study and are to be approved by the concentration advisor (currently Professor Amit Basu, Department of Chemistry) in consultation with the independent study advisor.

• CHEM 1210

• At least three courses from the following: CHEM 1150, 1230; BIOL 0530, 1260; BIOL 1540.

• Two courses from the following: CSCI 1950L; PHP 2620; APMA 1660; BIOL 1430.

4) Applied Mathematics and Statistical Genomics Track: This track is designed for students whose interest focuses on extracting information from genomic and molecular biology data, and modeling the dynamics of these systems. substitution of more advanced courses with consent of advisor is permitted. The courses are to be approved by the concentration advisor (currently Professor Zhijin Wu) in Division of Biology and Medicine and Community Health).

• At least three courses from the following: APMA 1660, 1690; CSCI 1410; APMA 0340, 0360.
• At least three of the following: BIOL 1430; CSCI 1950L; PHP 2620; APMA 1070.