30 hours

Students can enter the bioinformatics program through ILS (https://ils.uga.edu) or IPS (https://ips.uga.edu). The most appropriate route will depend on the applicant’s background. See the information about these programs to find how to apply. Students with a strong quantitative background can apply directly to the bioinformatics program.

Apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following: -3 Letters of recommendation -CV -Statement of Purpose (emphasizing career goals, objectives, and research plans); at the end of the statement include the names of up to 3 potential faculty who share your interests and could serve as your major advisor. -Unofficial transcript -ILS and IPS applicants also need to submit a background and interest form; see the program websites for instructions. -Program prerequisites include Introductory molecular genetics, introductory biochemistry, introduction to statistics and probability, and college-level calculus or equivalent classes, and proficiency in a programming language.

-International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. -Application deadline is December 1 for matriculation the following fall.

BINF 8441E

Statistical Inference for the Life Sciences

3

BINF 8500

Bioinformatics Algorithms

3

BINF 8600

Introduction to Grant Writing

1

BINF 9000

Doctoral Research

1-18

BINF 9300

Doctoral Dissertation

1-12

Choose 1 course(s) from the following:

BINF 8150

Introduction to Deep Learning in Biology

3

BINF 8160

Single Cell Analysis and Bioinformatics

3

BINF 8165

Applied Data Science for Wastewater Epidemiology

3

BINF(MIBO)(BCMB) 8211E

Advanced Methods for Biological Data Analyses

3

CHEM(BCMB)(BINF) 8330

Macromolecular Simulations

3

EHSC 8460-8460L

Environmental Genomics

1-3

ENGR 8260

Computer-Aided Drug Design and Engineering

3

EPID(BIOS) 8060

Modern Applied Data Analysis

3

FANR(BINF)(GENE) 8140

Functional Genomics

3

GENE(BINF) 8940

Applied Genome Analysis

3

PBIO(BINF) 8350-8350L

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution

3

STAT 8440

Statistical Inference for Bioinformatics

3

Other courses may be approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee.

Choose 3 to 4 credit hours from the following:

Elective(s) approved by the student advisory committee

BINF 8060  *

Bioinformatics Seminar

1

BINF 8061  **

Directed Study in Research Communication

1

BINF 8970  ***

Laboratory Group Meeting

1-2

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

GRSC 7770  ****

Graduate Teaching Seminar

1-3

*1 credit, required every semester **1 credit; required every semester in years 1-3 and once a year in years 4-5 ***1-2 credits, required every semester ****required for students selected for teaching assistantships

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Many bioinformatics PhD graduates continue to careers in industry or government labs, while others find positions in academia.

Students are encouraged to apply for extramural scholarships and fellowships (e.g., graduate student grants form NIH or NSF)

Opportunities for study off campus are available through various exchange programs or collaborations involving the student faculty mentors.

The Institute of Bioinformatics encourages students to seek internships. Students have an opportunity to receive academic credit for internship work.

Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. Travel grants are available from the Graduate School and from IOB. Students also are encouraged to write grant proposals to help fund their research and to develop grant-writing skills. Students are expected to publish their research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Bioinformatics Graduate Student Association (BIGSA) represents students in communication with IOB leadership and organizes numerous professional, outreach, and recreational events, often with financial support from IOB.

Other programs in IOB include: MS in Bioinformatics MS in Bioinformatics (non-thesis option)