Bioinformatics is the use of computer
technology to process and interpret biological information. Advanced
training in biology, engineering, chemistry and computer science is
needed for a career in the field. Online programs in bioinformatics
include the Master of Science (M.S.), as well as graduate-level
certificate programs.
The online M.S. was designed for students working full-time. New
college graduates could enroll in this type of program, and so could
experienced scientists with Ph.D.s whose research now requires
bioinformatics expertise. While some students may work in the
biotechnology field, others pursue careers in public health and
medicine.
A prerequisite for a bioinformatics master's program is a bachelor's
degree from an accredited college or university. Some schools require
that the degree be in a field-related major, such as biology or
engineering. A master's program can be fully completed online; reliable
Internet access is necessary. Students may interact online with the
instructor and fellow classmates through e-mail, message board
discussions and chat room sessions. Course content can be distributed in
a variety of ways, including downloadable text files, PowerPoint
presentations and streaming video clips.
Description of Typical Courses
Applying computer technology to
chemistry
in multiple ways, the course may cover the retrieval, analysis,
organization and visualization of chemical information. Instructors may
review chemical structure representation, graph theory, ring perception,
structural fingerprints, symmetry perception, QSAR historical
approaches and simulated annealing.
Molecular Modeling
This course teaches principles and applications of modern molecular
modeling methods. Students learn how to interpret a biopolymer structure
using modeling tools and algorithms. Specific topics include protein
structure modeling, structure-based drug design, binding prediction and
chemoinformatics.
A protein molecule is a long string of amino acid molecules, folded
in upon itself; interactions between the various amino acids determine
the shape into which the protein folds and its action within the body.
In a bioinformatics course, students learn to predict the eventual
shape, or structure, of a protein and to search databases of protein
sequences.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
www.bls.gov) reports that
biotechnological research and development, which includes
bioinformatics, should grow much more quickly than average employment
growth. As of May 2009, the average hourly employment wage for
professions classified in the 'Biological Sciences, All Other' category,
including bioinformatics specialists, was $33.38. The median annual
wage was estimated at $66,510. The federal branch of the U.S. government
employs the most in the field, followed by colleges, universities and
professional schools.
Payscale.com reports that research scientists with a biotechnology-related M.S. degree earned salaries ranging from $53,468 to $83,729.
The graduate certificate program often incorporates several of the
same courses offered in a school's bioinformatics Master of Science
program. Students may opt for the certificate if their careers do not
require the formal degree, or if they are seeking education to
supplement training needs for their current employment or research.
Students must already have a bachelor's degree and have successfully
completed several undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry,
engineering or computer science prior to acceptance. Like the master's
program, the certificate can be earned entirely online, so students need
access to a computer with an Internet connection. Some schools may
permit credits to be applied toward a master's degree in bioinformatics,
should the student decide to pursue one after completing the
certificate program.
Description of Typical Courses
Computational Genomics
Concentrating primarily on the background and execution of methods
for machine learning and data mining, students gain a mix of theoretical
education and practical skills. Focus is given to methods for analyzing
protein function prediction, gene expression data from genome
comparisons and microarray experiments.
Biostatistics
Statistical analysis gets applied to biological experiences and
observations in this branch of biology. A biostatistics course teaches
basic algorithms and statistical analysis theory. Topics include
multivariate analysis, longitudinal data analysis and theory of
distributions in statistics.
Research Ethics
This class provides a general overview of critical ethical and legal
issues within the biotechnology industry. Coursework may include the
differences between ethics and law when considering issues in marketing,
research methods, ethical analysis and other related issues. Key topics
include animal welfare law and intellectual property protection.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (
www.bls.gov) reports that
as of May 2009, the country held approximately 30,000 individuals
working in specialized biological sciences, including bioinformaticists.
(When counting all biologists, the number rose past 86,000.) Employment
for all biological scientists is projected to grow 21% from 2008 to
2018. Top paying workplaces include manufacturing companies and
laboratories.
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