M.S. in Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is an exciting, multidisciplinary approach to doing biological and biomedical research in which computer science, information technology, statistics and biology merge into a single discipline.

The M.S. in Bioinformatics is a graduate level degree that is sought to work as a computational scientist in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and academic and government laboratories. The majority of our graduates are bioinformatics scientists working in biotech industry and academic/government laboratories.

The M.S. in Bioinformatics includes thesis and non-thesis (industry oriented) degree options. The M.S. bioinformatics curriculum includes courses in bioinformatics, molecular biology and computation, as well as credits for thesis research or externship experiences. Core courses teach students the practice and theory of bioinformatics and provide hands-on experience in the field. Students also take elective courses related to their area of interest, such as genomics, algorithms and machine learning, or biostatistics. 

Financial Support

We have limited financial support for graduate students. Qualified applicants to the M.S. in Bioinformatics program may receive funding as teaching assistants. You are encouraged to contact the graduate program director to check availability.

We are now part of the 'Graduate Enrollment Innovation Program', which provides tuition for our out-of-state/international studies at a rate that is only slightly higher than in-state rates. Choose "Master -  Humanities and Sciences" in VCU's tuition calculator. 

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate, you'll be able to:

• Design and implement bioinformatics approaches and tools
• Demonstrate effective scientific problem solving
• Demonstrate integrated knowledge in molecular biology, computational science, and statistics
• Effectively communicate research and findings in a professional context

Application Overview

Application Deadline

Applications to the Bioinformatics M.S. program are accepted anytime, with the following recommended submission deadlines:

• January 15: Fall program entry, and consideration of graduate stipend and scholarship support. This deadline is also recommended for international students to be able to receive visa approval.
• July 1: Fall program entry, final deadline.
• November 1: Spring program entry, and consideration of graduate stipend and scholarship support. 

Summer program entry is generally reserved for students in our accelerated B.S. to M.S. degree pathway.

Admission Details

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics, applications are welcomed from students with various academic backgrounds, such as biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, computer science, mathematics or statistics. Our program provides bridge curricula to strengthen students’ preparation for graduate study in bioinformatics. Bridge courses can be taken concurrently with graduate courses in Bioinformatics upon enrolling at VCU.

If you are interested in applying, you can find our application by searching for "Master's Degree" and "College of Humanities and Sciences" as the School/Academic Department. You should then see Bioinformatics as a degree program. 

Applicants must meet all requirements listed by the VCU Graduate School and the College of Humanities and Sciences, in addition to those listed below. You can find our application under the School of Life Sciences and Sustainability program listings.

Most applicants have:

• A bachelor's degree in a STEM field or equivalent, including an appropriate college-level background in biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics

You must have:

• Evidence of motivation and/or preparation towards computation work 
• Three letters of recommendation pertaining to your potential ability as a graduate student 
• A statement of purpose essay (see specific guidelines below)
• Transcripts of all previous college work

Admission to the M.S. in Bioinformatics program is based on undergraduate performance and letters of recommendation. Applicants typically have a 3.0 GPA or greater on undergraduate work.

Faculty Mentor Requirement for Thesis Option

Completion of a research thesis is one degree option as part of the M.S. in Bioinformatics program. If you think this fits your interests, you are strongly encouraged to begin identifying potential mentors before applying. Your mentor can be from any biomedical science unit at VCU, and your thesis should be focused on computational work. The program director can help you identify potential mentors so you can initiate a dialogue with them via email or phone about the likelihood of joining their lab.

If you already have support from specific faculty, you are more likely to be admitted and receive some financial support.