Bioinformatics Program

Masters in Biomedical Science (MSBS)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

  • The masters in bioinformatics provides a solid basic background in bioinformatics. 
  • The masters in bioinformatics is designed for students preparing for research careers in academia, biotechnology companies, or public sector agencies. 
  • This degree consists of a selection of courses that provide a solid grounding in modern biomedical science research and training in computational methods. A written thesis completes your preparation. 
  • Most students complete the bioinformatics MSBS within 2 years. 

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MSBS CURRICULUM

SUGGESTED ELECTIVES FOR MSBS STUDENTS

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES (SLO's) FOR BIOINFORMATICS MSBS DEGREE 

Program Code: MD-BIMS-MS


APPLYING TO THE MSBS PROGRAM IN BIOINFORMATICS

Applicants to the MSBS degree must meet the following requirements, in addition to those of the College of Graduate Studies.  Please refer to the Graduate School website to see any additional requirements.

1. Online application form. Students who have already applied to the Program can check their application status online. If a student's application is incomplete, this site will indicate which documents are missing.

2. Earned bachelor's degree or earned graduate degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants with a degree in progress will be considered.

3. Official transcripts for undergraduate and any graduate education. GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4-pt scale). A student with a GPA of 2.5 or above, but below 3.0, may apply for provisional acceptance . This will change to Regular (non-probationary) status. If their first term graduate coursework has a GPA of 3.0 or above (on a 4.0 scale).

4. Three letters of recommendation from college faculty or research supervisors, signed and on official letterhead.

5. CV including Statement of Purpose. Previous research experience is considered, but not required. Admissions are made on a rolling basis until the class is filled. 

INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 


CURRENT STUDENTS

Below are required forms and their due dates for current MSBS students:

  1. PLAN OF STUDY: A plan of study is your tentative course schedule. This form is required at the end of your first semester.
    • Fall Start: due December 
    • Spring Start: due May 
  2. G.R.A.D:The Graduate Research Advisory Committee Approval & Assurances Form is required prior to the student beginning any research. See "Selecting a Thesis Advisor and Committee Members" below for more details.
    • Fall Start: due December 
    • Spring Start: due May 
  3. FIRST COMMITTEE MEETING: The first committee meeting is required 8 months after matriculation. It is required for Project Approval.
    • Fall Start: April
    • Spring Start: August
  4. QUALIFYING EXAM: The Qualifying Exam will be taken after the first spring semester and must be taken before thesis research begins. From this list, 20 questions will be chosen for the exam.
    • Fall Start: Early May
    • Spring Start: Early December
  5. REPORT OF QUALIFYING EXAMINATION FORM: The Report of the Qualifying Exam form should be completed and signed by all members of the Advisory Committee.

  6. SECOND COMMITTEE MEETING: The second committee meeting is required no later than 14 months after matriculation. 
    • Fall Start: October
    • Spring Start: February 
  7. APPLY TO GRADUATEWhen you are nearing the completion of your program, you must complete an online application to graduate.
  8. THIRD COMMITTEE MEETING: The third committee meeting is required no later than 18 months after matriculation. Is it required for Thesis Approval.
    • Fall Start: February
    • Spring Start: June
  9. ACCEPTANCE OF THESIS: This form is required before the thesis defense. Students must obtain the signature of their advisor for approval to present/defend their thesis.

  10. REPORT OF THESIS EXAMINATION: This form is required during the thesis defense. It is used to grade the defense.

  11. APPROVAL OF THESIS: This form is required after the thesis defense. This form must be submitted with the original advisor and committee member signatures in order for the MSBS degree to be awarded.
    • Due before the last day of the term in which you are graduating. 
  12. UPLOAD THESIS TO OHIOLINKAll students are required to upload their electronic thesis or dissertation (ETD) to OhioLINK  in order to graduate.

 

SELECTING A THESIS ADVISOR AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

  1. In the first fall semester, students will attend a section of the Mentored Research (BMSP 6390) course where all faculty members with openings in their labs present a summary of their research. Students can start considering who they would like as their thesis advisor.

  2. Students are required to do two six week lab rotations with two faculty members of their choosing. The student will participate in an on-going research program with each faculty member.  During the second rotation, students will meet with the Program Director to discuss their choice of advisor. The student will also discuss their choice with the chosen faculty member.

  3. After an thesis advisor is chosen, the student must choose a minimum of two other faculty members, which will make up their Thesis Committee.  The student will consult with their advisor to choose their committee members. The student will then ask each of the faculty members if they would consider being a part of their Committee.  The Committee will help the student choose electives and plan their thesis. 

  4. After Committee members are chosen, a G.R.A.D. form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the Graduate School. This is required BEFORE your research begins. 


For MSBS, you need three members (your advisor and two others). 

 
All three must be members of the graduate faculty, though you can have additional members if you want who are not on UT's grad faculty.
 
For the BIPG track, at least one committee member must be a member of the BIPG Steering Committee:

Name 

Rank 

Dept

UT Email 

Association 

Alexei Fedorov* 

Assoc Prof 

MED

alexei.fedorov 

Programming CD 

Bob Blumenthal 

Dist Univ Prof 

MMI 

robert.blumenthal 

Former Prog Director (ex off) 

Kate Eisenmann 

Prof 

CAB 

kathryn.eisenmann 

Biomarkers CD 

Rob Smith

Prof & Chair 

NND

robert.mccullumsmith

NND Chair (ex off) 

Sadik Khuder 

Prof 

MED

sadik.khuder 

Program Co-Director

Stats CD 

Sinead O’Donovan 

Res Asst Prof 

NND

sinead.odonovan 

Pathophys 

The job of the committee is to oversee progress towards the thesis, oversee the thesis defense, assure the acceptability of the thesis itself, and provide advice to the student as needed.

 

THESIS PREPARATION

Please review the Graduate School website for specific instructions on preparing your thesis:

THESIS INFORMATION

 

OPTIONAL INTERNSHIP

An Internship course is now available to master students during their final term AFTER the completion of their thesis research. This must be agreed upon and approved by the student's thesis advisor. Students will gain a learning experience in an industry setting, to enhance their practical training and employability. The Bioinformatics program has internship agreements with:

Master students who are interested in doing an Internship, DO NOT contact the potential companies on your own, without contacting the Bioinformatics Program first.  Please fill out the form below and email it to the program secretary.

INTERNSHIP FORM

Last Updated: 8/24/23