Bachelor of Science
Biological Sciences - Bioinformatics Option

The bioinformatics track prepares students to assist in the application and development of computational tools and approaches used to acquire, store, organize, archive, analyze, and visualize dramatically increasing amounts of publicly available biological data. Students completing the program obtain a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in Computer Science as they develop an appreciation for the substantially different vocabulary and problem solving approaches used in both disciplines. Numerous intership opportunities are available for students seeking real-world experience in areas such as stream-lined drug discovery, genome analysis, and the review of forensic DNA profiling testing results.

General Education 56 credit hours
Area I - Communication and Mathematics (16 Hours)
ENG 101, 102
MTH 229, 230, 253, 257

Area II. - Cultural-Social Foundations (Select 1 course from each category, 8 hours minimum)
History
CLS 150, HST 101, 102, 103
Non-Western World
CSE 250, CST 221,231,232,241,242,243,251, HLT 202, TSE 260, RST 261,262,271,281,291, SW 272, URS 200

Area III - Human Behavior (Select 2 courses from different categories, 8 hours minimum)
Economics
EC 200, 290
Political Science
PLS 200
Psychology
PSY 105
Sociology
SOC 200, 205 WMS 200

Area IV - Human Expression (Select 1 course, 4 hour minimum)
Great Books
CLS 204, ENG 204, PHL 204, REL 204
Fine and Performing Arts
ART 214, MUS 214,290, TH 214

Additional Courses from Areas II, III, and IV (8 hours)

Area V - Natural Sciences (12 hours)
BIO 111, 112, 115

Area VI - College Component
EH 205 or PSY 110

General Education Writing Intensive Component - 4 courses

Departmental Course Requirement
Molecular/Cell Component (15 hours)
BIO 210, 211, 212, 213
Organismic Component (12 hours, choose 3)
BIO 252, 253 or 254, 255 or 256
Senior Course (2 hours)
BIO 420, 492

Life Science Electives (30 hours)
Select 30 credits from 300/400 level courses
Minimum of 15 hours of BIO/M&I courses
Maximum of 10 hours from COSM courses including CHM, GL, MTH, STT, PHY, PSY
Eight credit hours of CS 400 and CS 405 may be used.
Maximum of 8 hours of independent study courses such as BIO 399, 488, 490, 492, 499 (12 hours of BIO 495 can be used if in dept honors).
Courses from ANT, BMB, P&B, PHR, and ANT can be used

Supporting Courses
Chemistry (33 hours)
CHM 121,122,123,211,212,213,215,216,217
Physics (15 hours)
PHY 101,102,103,111,112,113
Computer Science (20 cr hrs)
CS 240, 241, 242, 400, 405

In the Major Writing Intensive Component - 2 courses

Students must achieve a grade of "C" or better in each course used to fulfill the Departmental Requirements of the degree.

Total credit hours required 196

University Requirements
A minimum GPA of 2.0
A minimum of 45 credit hours must be earned at WSU with a minimum of 30 hours numbered 300 or above.
Complete a minimum of 183 hours in approved courses.