Computational Biology and Bioinformatics / Certificate
Data Science is a field of study within Computer Science that explores how large quantities of data can be efficiently stored, managed, queried, and summarized. It uses mathematical theory and techniques from probability, statistics, linear algebra, and modeling, along with computer science concepts and skills in distributed storage, distributed processing, networks, security, human-machine interfaces, software development, and algorithms to develop software and systems that enable consumers of big data to identify critical data assets and interpret them. As a curricular initiative, it is especially intriguing because it lends itself naturally to interdisciplinary work with other fields, including other sciences, the social sciences, the humanities, health care, business, and education. Data scientists seem to play at the center of a new renaissance. The field must therefore be studied both for its inherent scientific and mathematical richness as well as for its immediate, specific application to diverse fields.
This Certificate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics consists of a subset of the courses required of the full Master of Science in Data Science with a concentration in Life Sciences. Unlike the M.S. in Data Science, this Certificate does not require the writing of a Data Science Project. The Certificate alternative will provide an intriguing option for students who may not wish to pursue the full graduate degree.
Objectives
1. Prepare future professionals who specialize in implementing and choosing systems that identify trends in large sets of data related to the life sciences.
2. Provide high-quality hands-on activities for students to deepen their understanding of data science theory and prepare them to be real-world problem solvers, particularly in how best to use data to solve problems in the life sciences.
3. Involve students in interdisciplinary work that explores the application of data science techniques to solve a variety of problems.
4. Ready students to play expanded professional roles in using data related to life science issues and applications.
Learning Outcomes
This certificate will provide students with the skills to:
1. Explain how data science techniques can be used to solve problems related to the life sciences using data from a variety of sources.
2. Develop solutions for life science data management projects that help solve problems related to life science applications.
3. Write software that efficiently implements the mathematical techniques required to extract meaning from large data sets, primarily using off-the-shelf mathematical software tools.
4. Choose large-scale data storage solutions that meet prescribed performance and storage requirements.
5. Create and choose visualization approaches that most clearly depict the characteristics of the data that need to be communicated for a particular purpose.
6. Evaluate and compare cloud-based solutions for storing large data sets in terms of performance, security, query mechanisms, software development, and cost.
Relationship to Master of Science in Data Science
Students who start out pursuing the graduate certificate option can readily switch to the full degree. A student who completes the coursework for the Certificate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics as well as courses required for the Master of Science in Data Science will earn both the Certificate and the Master of Science in Data Science.
Contact the Graduate Program Director for master's program policies which are applicable to the certificate program as well. [The undergraduate Fast Track option does not apply to applicants for the Certificate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics.]
Minimum Requirements for Admission to the Certificate Program
To be accepted for admission into the program, a student must present the following credentials:
1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.
2. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
3. An application for graduate admission, accompanied by an application fee.
4. Professional résumé.
5. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.
6. A two-page statement of purpose.
7. Two letters of recommendation.
8. Undergraduate mathematics coursework in Calculus*.
Please note: International students are required to have a TOEFL test score greater than 550 (computer-based 213; Internet-based 79).
*With regard to the Calculus requirement, note that intimate, immediate familiarity with Calculus is not expected, but students should have worked with integrals and derivatives at some point in their academic preparation.
Student-At-Large Status
A student-at-large is not a degree candidate. In order to be admitted as a student-at-large, the applicant must submit official documentation of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education and complete a modified application form. The decision to admit an at-large student to graduate courses belongs to the Graduate Program Director, whose decision is based on an evaluation of the applicant’s undergraduate coursework and possibly an interview. However, should the student decide to apply for full admission status at a later time, but within 5 years of course completion, only a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate coursework completed as a student-at-large can be applied toward the certificate and only courses with grades of B or better will count toward the certificate.
Transfer Admission Procedures
Students may apply up to 3 semester hours of graduate-level work from other regionally-accredited institutions to their certificate program. The following conditions apply to the acceptance of transfer credit:
1. Only one course with a grade of B or better will be accepted.
2. Coursework must have been completed at a regionally-accredited graduate school.
3. Appropriateness of coursework will be decided by the Graduate Program Director at the time of the student’s application to the program.
4. Courses from outside the United States will be considered if they are evaluated as graduate level by the Office of Admission or the Commission on Accreditation of the American Council on Education.
5. Transferred credit may not exceed 3 semester hours in any case.
6. Credit for prior learning is not awarded for graduate programs.
Certificate Requirements
1. Successful completion of 18 credits of graded coursework, of which 15 hours must be taken at Lewis university. No more than 3 credit hours in graduate coursework may be transferred in from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.
2. Successful completion of all required courses listed below.
3. Achievement of an overall GPA of 3.0 in all courses taken at Lewis University included in the certificate program.
4. A grade of D in any course(s) listed below will not apply to the Certificate.
Degree Offered: Post Baccalaureate Certificate
Total Credit Hours: 18
Curriculum
Program: PBC-CBAB-A
Required Courses (18)