The bioinformatics program at Franklin & Marshall was introduced in 2008 with a grant received from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. The program provides many paid opportunities for F&M students to do research with faculty members across the fields of computational biology, genomics, proteomics, medicine and allied fields.
Recent advances in fields like genetics, genomics and proteomics have led to the creation of very large sets of biological data. To manage, process and understand this massive new body of biological data, scientists with cross-disciplinary skills are in high demand. Students who choose to study bioinformatics will receive comprehensive training in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, and applied mathematics. This background will pave the way to many exciting careers in the sciences and medicine.
A major in Bioinformatics is achieved as a Joint Major between the Biology and Computer Science Departments. Students should arrange to meet with faculty in both departments to determine course availability. Below is a list of suggested coursework within each area.
Suggested Coursework in Biology
BIO 101 Principles of Heredity, Evolution, and Ecology
BIO 102 Cell & Molecular Biology
BIO 200 Integrative Biology
BIO 313 Introduction to Genome Analysis
Suggested Coursework in Chemistry
CHM 111 General Chemistry I
CHM 112 General Chemistry II
Suggested Coursework in Mathematics
MAT 109 Calculus I
MAT 110 Calculus II
MAT 216 Probability & Statistics I
Suggested Coursework in Computer Science
CPS 111 Computer Science I
CPS 112 Computer Science II
CPS 261 Algorithms
CPS 363 Introduction to Bioinformatics