MS in Biology: Computational Biology Concentration

Our biology MS program with a concentration in computational biology prepares students to apply computational, statistical, and quantitative methods to biological and biomedical research. Students gain interdisciplinary training in programming, algorithms, and statistical analysis, with applications spanning genomics, evolutionary biology, and cell and developmental biology.

Through hands-on projects and faculty-mentored research, students develop practical skills in computational problem-solving and data analysis. Graduates are prepared for industry positions and research-intensive careers in computational biology and related fields. This concentration is intended as a terminal degree.

Are you a current URochester undergraduate student interested in earning an MS with a concentration in computational biology? Explore how our 4+1 program can help you accelerate your path to a master's degree.

Learn More About 4+1 Program

Program Overview

Students in this program can choose to focus the majority of their time on research (thesis track) or coursework (coursework track), depending on their goals and interests.

Thesis Track (Plan A)

Design, execute, and communicate an original research project in computational biology. Students who choose the thesis track will engage in rigorous research under faculty mentorship, applying computational, statistical, and quantitative approaches to biological problems.

This track does include some coursework, which is intended to both support the research focus and to broaden the student’s foundational and interdisciplinary knowledge in the field.

Coursework Track (Plan B)

The coursework track helps students develop and demonstrate advanced mastery of computational biology principles. Students complete a carefully structured set of courses that provide depth in a selected area of specialization while also ensuring broad exposure to applications across biological and biomedical sciences.

 

Program Coursework

Students must take 1 to 13 credits of general graduate-level coursework in biology and 17 credits of concentration-specific coursework. Related coursework outside of biology can be accepted with the permission of program director. 

Core Courses for Biology MS (1 to 13 Credits)

  • BIOL 422: Biology of Aging (four credits)
  • BIOL 460: Animal Behavior (four credits)
  • BIOL 463: Ecology (four credits)
  • BIOL 420: Advanced Cell Biology (four credits)
  • BIOL 426: Developmental Biology (four credits)
  • BIOL 402: Molecular Biology (four credits)
  • BIOL 443: Eukaryotic gene regulation (four credits)
  • BIOL 467: Human Evolutionary Genetics (four credits)
  • BIOL 405: Evolution (four credits)
  • BIOL 471: E2G2 Special Topics (two credits), may be taken multiple times
  • BIOL 516: CDM Seminar (one credit) BIOL 581 – CDM Topics (one credit)
  • BIOL 517: Graduate Research Seminar (one credit)*
  • BIOL 580: E2G2 Journal Club (one credit)*
  • BIOL 584: Seminars in Evolution (one credit)*

*If not taken as concentration seminar course

Concentration in Computational Biology (17 Credits)

Core courses: (eight credits, required):

  • BIOL 453: Computational Biology (four credits)
  • DSCC 462: Computational Introduction to Statistics (four credits)

Computational lab electives (choose eight credits):

  • BIOL 419: Quantitative Genomics (four credits)
  • BIOL 457: Applied Genomics (four credits)
  • BIOL 466: Building the Tree of Life (four credits)
  • BST 434: Genomic Data Analysis (four credits)
  • DSCC 401: Tools for Data Science (four credits)

Seminar course (choose one credit):

  • BIOL 517: Graduate Research Seminar (one credit)
  • BIOL 580: E2G2 Journal Club (one credit)
  • BIOL 584: Seminars in Evolution (one credit)
  • IND484: Current Topics in Bioinformatics Research (one credit)

Research courses (0 to 12 credits):

  • Six to twelve credits of research (BIOL 495/595) for students completing research-based master’s
  • Zero to six credits of research (BIOL 495/595) for students completing coursework-based master’s

Mentorship

Students are matched with a faculty member after admission to discuss course selection and career development. All students complete an individualized development plan to outline their goals to discuss with their mentor.

Students who chose a research-based MS will form a thesis advisory committee in the fall of the first year.

Professional and Skill Development

While participation is not required, we encourage all of our students to take advantage of these opportunities.  

Genomics Summer Seminar Series

A weekly series to expose MS students to different areas of genomics research and careers, provide professional development, build cohort cohesion among MS researchers staying at the University over the summer.

Winter Genomics Workshop

A weekly summer seminar series where students learn about career options and different areas of genomics research.

Computational Biology Professional Development Workshop

A series of workshops held over winter break provide hands-on training in research computing, best practices in genomics research, and common analysis workflows used by the Genomics Research Center.

Career Paths in Biotech and Pharma

An annual panel that connects students with alumni thriving in industry roles including biotech and pharma.

4+1 Biology MS: Computational Biology Concentration

The 4+1 option provides an accelerated path to a master of science degree in biology in only one additional year and with substantial cost savings.

The program's structure gives a fast track to the MS for University of Rochester undergraduates with up to 12 credits of the 30 graduate credits required for the MS can be taken as an undergraduate. Both pathways to the MS are designed to prepare students for advanced industry roles or research-intensive careers in computational biology and related fields.

Pre-requisites

The following prerequisites are required before matriculating into either track of the MS computational biology concentration: A course in computer programming (e.g. CSC171, CSC161) or programming experience and a summer bridging course in data structures (e.g. CSC 162), and genetics. The summer bridging course would be taken in the summer prior to matriculation into the MS program.

Plan A BIO MS 4+1 computational biology concentration students (research track) must have completed an independent research course (e.g. BIO395 or equivalent) at the undergraduate level and have the permission from a prospective research advisor prior to matriculating into the graduate portion of the program.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the program student must have:

  • Minimum grade of B in core electives and B- in concentration electives
  • Plan A: Research Thesis-based MS with oral defense of written thesis
  • Plan B: Course-based curriculum with comprehensive examination
Admissions

Students should apply for the 4+1 in the spring of their junior year. Late applications will be accepted, space allowing.

Admissions criteria:

  • A UR undergraduate majoring or minoring in any biology degree
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Acknowledgement that prerequisite courses must be completed before matriculating as graduate students in the fall following their senior year. Any outstanding prerequisites will be noted in the offer letter.
4+1 Program Timeline and Benchmarks

End of senior year:

  • Take up to 12 credit hours of MS courses
  • Identify research advisor
  • Form TAC committee
  • Complete prerequisites
  • Match with faculty mentor, prepare to work on IDP in early fall
  • Optional summer genomics research seminar

End of first semester MS:

  • Confirm mentor meetings
  • End of fall semester, submit IDP and TAC meeting report

End of second semester MS:

  • Completed 30 credits
  • Optional non-curricular activities: participated in professional development (fall) and genomics workshops (winter break), career development panel (fall)
  • Thesis defense for plan A

Contact

For questions about the master's program in biology or a sample schedule, contact the department's graduate course administrator at grad.biology@ur.rochester.edu or (585) 275-7991.