MSBS in Bioinformatics and Proteomics-Genomics
Robert Blumenthal, Ph.D., director
The Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics (BPG) Programs are designed to provide training in the rapidly-developing interface between computer science and life sciences. Graduates with such training are in high demand, (in part due to the explosion in genome sequence analysis), whether the BPG studies are for an independent degree or for one of the several dual-degree programs. In addition, students in other programs may take BPG courses as electives.
Masters, Certificate and Dual Degree Programs
The program in Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics, along with the Ohio Center of Excellence for Biomarker Research and Individualized Medicine at the University of Toledo, offers a Certificate that can be earned either alone or in association with the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Medicine (MD). The Certificate program is designed to fit smoothly into the doctoral programs with minimal extra time required. BPG also offers a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) degree. MSBS students follow a well-defined curriculum that includes core courses, journal club, seminars, independent research, and electives in their area of interest. Both Certificate and MSBS students are trained in the theory, methods and applications of bioinformatics, proteomics, genomics, and biomarker research.
Bioinformatics programs generally place more emphasis on either computer science or the biomedical aspects of the field. The University of Toledo’s program falls into the latter category. However, there are courses in PERL, Java, and SQL programming (for example), and the Program provides biomedical researchers with a solid introduction to the computational aspects, or computer science experts with a rigorous introduction to the biomedical aspects of bioinformatics.
To be admitted to the Masters in Biomedical Sciences Program with Regular status, applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university. Students with a GPA below 3.0, but at or above 2.5, may apply for provisional acceptance that would change to regular (non-probationary) status if their first term graduate coursework has a GPA of 3.0 or above. Typically, applicants will have an undergraduate major in Biology or a related discipline such as Biochemistry or Biophysics. Students with other majors are encouraged to apply; however, their coursework should include several semesters in biology. The GRE is not required for US students with GPA above 3.0, UT or Findlay students entering the bachelors-masters pipeline program, or students with a recent MCAT score of 25 or higher. The GRE is required for all other applicants. For international applicants, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is also required. Scores must be 550 or higher for paper-administered version, 213 or higher for computer-administered version, and 80 or higher for internet-administered version. For all applicants, laboratory research or computer programming experience is favored, but not required.
(CPRA = Current Problems & Research Approaches)
(BIPG = Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics)
| First Term | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| BMSP 6340 | Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom (8 weeks) 1 | 2 |
| BIPG 5200 | Statistical Meth Bioinformatic (16 weeks) | 3 |
| BIPG 5100 | Fund Bioinformatics Proteomics (16 weeks) | 3 |
| INDI 6020 | On Being a Scientist (12 weeks) | 1 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research (8 weeks; 2x4 wk lab rotations) 2 | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Term | ||
| BIPG 6100 | Bioinformatic Computation (16 weeks) | 3 |
| BIPG 6400 or BRIM 6200 |
Applications of Bioinformatics (16 weeks) or Biomarker Disc,Valid & Impleme |
3 |
| BMSP 6350 | Cell Biology & Signaling (16 weeks) | 3 |
| BIPG 6890 | Independent Study in BPG 3 | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Term | ||
| BIPG 5400 | Biodatabases (4 weeks) | 1 |
| BIPG 5500 | Microarray Analysis (4 weeks) | 4 |
| BIPG 6990 | Thesis in Bioinformatics | 4 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Term | ||
| Elective 2 (see approved list) | 3 | |
| BIPG 5300 | Current Topics in BPG (16 weeks) 4 | 1 |
| BIPG 6990 | Thesis in Bioinformatics | 5 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fifth Term | ||
| Elective 2 (see approved list) | 2 | |
| BIPG 6990 | Thesis in Bioinformatics | 6 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Sixth Year | ||
| Sixth Term | ||
| BIPG 6990 | Thesis in Bioinformatics | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 52 | |
| 1 | CPRA = Current Problems & Research Approaches. |
| 2 | Students must register for a specific 8wk/2cr section of BMSP 6390 Mentored Research. As a prerequisite, students must attend an introductory series of short research presentations "Introduction to Biomedical Research". These presentations do not require students to register, but BIPG students are expected to attend for the first 3-4 weeks of the Fall semester. |
| 3 | Students must pass Qualifying Exam before registering for BIPG 6900 Thesis research. In this and other terms, with permission of advisory committee, student may take Scholarly Project in BPG (BIPG5900) in place of Thesis in Bioinformatics. |
| 4 | Journal paper review and presentation. |
The minimum number of credits required for MSBS is 46.5, with a minimum of 20.5 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 10 credits of thesis research. The rest of the credits are approved electives and research in the BIPG track.