Bioinformatics (BI34)

The Bioinformatics major offers rigorous, interdisciplinary training in the rapidly growing and evolving field of bioinformatics within the School of Biological Sciences. Bioinformatics uses computational approaches to analyze biological data (e.g., large scale genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic datasets) to investigate living organisms and their communities. An understanding of the qualitative and quantitative biological data that are accruing, and the tools used to analyze them, requires substantial mastery of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, and computer science. The interdisciplinary bioinformatics specialization will be offered by two other departments (computer science and engineering and bioengineering). All three versions of the bioinformatics specialization share a common set of core requirements, and also have distinct requirements reflecting each unit’s academic focus. The bioinformatics specialization offered by the School of Biological Sciences is aimed at a student interested in applying, and to some extent developing, tools of bioinformatics for the study of biological systems. Students will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a specialization in bioinformatics. This degree will prepare students for graduate studies in biological and biomedical sciences, and provide excellent training for work in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and bioinformatics industries.

• Biology: BILD 1, 3, 4, and 5*
• Chemistry: CHEM 6A and 6B
• Organic Chemistry: CHEM 40A and 40B
• Computer Science and Engineering: CSE 11, CSE 12**, and CSE 21** (Students may take CSE 8A and CSE 8B in place of CSE 11)
• Mathematics: MATH 18, 20A, 20B, and 20C
• Physics: PHYS 2A, 2B, and 2C**

*BILD 5 is required for Fall 2024 admitted students

**These courses have additional prerequisites and/or corequisites that are not required for the major. Please contact the respective department to inquire about prerequisite and corequisite enforcement.

Note: Any given course can only satisfy one major requirement

• Advanced Data Structure (CSE 100)*
• Design and Analysis of Algorithms (CSE 101)
• Structural Biochemistry (BIBC 100) or Metabolic Biochemistry (BIBC 102) or Biochemical Structure and Function (CHEM 114A), or Biochemical Energetics and Metabolism (CHEM 114B)
• Genetics (BICD 100)
• Molecular Biology (BIMM 100)
• Molecular Sequence Analysis (BIMM 181)
• Biological Databases (BIMM 182)
• Applied Genomic Technologies (BENG 183)
• Advanced Bioinformatics Laboratory (CSE 185)
• Probability and Statistics (MATH 186)
• Biology Elective - complete at least eight units of upper-division coursework offered by the UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences (a total of 48 upper division units is required for completion of the major).
  
  • Upper-division Biology elective units may be completed with courses numbered 100-189 taken through UC San Diego’s School of Biological Sciences. BIEB 146 and BIMM 172 are recommended. By exception, CSE 180 may be applied to the major elective requirement. This course is also recommended, and interested students are advised to take this prior to other upper division courses.
  • Elective units may include one quarter of BISP 195, up to four BIxx 194s, and one quarter of either BISP 193 or BISP 196/197/199.

Coursework taken outside of the School of Biological Sciences may be applicable toward the major, assuming the course has been previously reviewed and approved and meets minimum criteria. Non-reviewed coursework requires an Undergraduate Student Petition for consideration.

*These courses have additional prerequisites and/or corequisites that are not required for the major. Please contact the respective department to inquire about prerequisite and corequisite enforcement.

• Major Check Worksheet
• Freshman and Transfer Sample Plan Lookup Tool