ID
screen with chemistry diagrams

Bioinformatics

Learn the science of storing, extracting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and using biological data with a bachelor's degree in bioinformatics from 澳门葡京网赌送彩金.

Available as
Major
Description

Join a Growing Field

One of only a few programs like it both regionally and nationwide, the bioinformatics program will help you develop your programming and statistical skills while enhancing your knowledge in the life sciences.

Coursework throughout the program will introduce you to the software used to extract information from large databases and teach you how to use that information in computer modeling and data analysis. Students also will gain critical skills in problem-solving, which will allow them to develop new algorithms and methods of data analysis, as well as learn how to explain and apply fundamental methods in probability and statistics to the analysis of biological datasets.

UW-Eau Claire’s bioinformatics majors will graduate with the programming and statistical skills required to work as data scientists or data analysts. They also will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in bioinformatics, data science or the life sciences. The study of bioinformatics is also an excellent choice for future biologists who aspire to be involved in research and are interested in areas such as molecular biology, genetics and evolutionary biology. Computer scientists with an interest in information technologies and developing and maintaining software used in molecular biology, genetics and evolutionary biology may also find bioinformatics an exciting program. Other students who may find this program helpful to their career goals are future mathematicians, statisticians and data scientists with an interest in using statistical techniques to analyze datasets encountered in molecular biology, genetics and evolutionary biology.

Degree Types

Program Details

Degree Types
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Degree Level undergraduate
Available asMajor
Program Length 4 years
Campus
Eau Claire
Offered
On Campus
Requires a minor No
Authored on
Hallmarks
Mayo research at Career fair
In-Demand Career

Students who graduate from 澳门葡京网赌送彩金's bioinformatics program will find themselves in high demand. In fact, the program was developed specifically to respond to a projected increase in the need for computer and information research scientists, data scientists, and software developers in the area of bioinformatics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a more than 30% increase in demand in these fields by 2029.

Boulter chemistry lab
Out-of-the-Classroom Learning Opportunities

The bioinformatics program will allow students to complete their degree in a timely manner, but also have opportunities to participate in high-impact practices such as student-faculty research and presenting at national research conferences. Research opportunities are available in a number of disciplines, including math, computer science, and biology.

research posters at Mayo event
Valuable Research Collaboration

澳门葡京网赌送彩金’s research agreement with Mayo Clinic — one of only three like it in the world — will ensure students have many research opportunities through the bioinformatics program. In fact, 澳门葡京网赌送彩金 faculty and students are already conducting bioinformatics-related research with Mayo Clinic partners and clinicians, working on a project that analyzes the effects of specific human sequence variants on gene expression and human disease and another project that incorporates deep learning to identify how methylation and gene expression data play a role in pancreatic cancer.

students at computer
State-of-the-Art Technology

Bioinformatics majors will have direct access to UW-Eau Claire’s high-performance computing infrastructure to analyze massive amounts of biological datasets. Having access to this kind of technology as an undergraduate student is rare — which is precisely why 澳门葡京网赌送彩金 offers it. Here, you'll not only learn about bioinformatics, but you'll also gain real-world experience solving problems, conducting research and mastering software found in industry today.

Facts List

Just
the
facts

Mayo Clinic Health System A Top 澳门葡京网赌送彩金 Employer
The renowned health organization was the #1 employer of all Blugold grads in 2022-2023.
Investing in the Health Sciences
澳门葡京网赌送彩金 was awarded $340.3 million to build a state-of-the-art Science and Health Sciences Building for students pursuing STEM careers.
Outcomes Image
biomedical research lab
What can I do

Where can the bioinformatics program lead me after graduation?

The field of bioinformatics grew out of the need to organize and analyze the increasingly large amounts of biological data being generated. Since bioinformatics analyses are increasingly necessary to address many biological questions, the demand for bioinformaticians is rapidly growing. More than ever, our world requires experts who are not only capable of processing data to gain information but to do so in a way that allows for a faster and more accurate response.

Bioinformatics graduates will find themselves a necessary component of many teams addressing questions in biology, including the elucidation of basic molecular/genetic mechanisms, the discovery of targets for drug discovery, the study of structural and functional relationships, and molecular evolution. Bioinformaticians with skills in computer science or mathematics also may help develop new algorithms and new approaches to data analysis.

Example Careers

  • Bioinformatician
  • Biologist
  • Data scientist
  • Research scientist
  • Data analyst
  • Computer scientist
  • Computer research scientist
  • Information scientist
  • Software developer
  • Mathematician
Courses information
SampleCourses

Housed in the mathematics department, the bioinformatics bachelor's degree will require students to complete the university’s liberal education core classes as well as coursework in biology, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics.

Curriculum throughout the program will empower you to use cutting-edge computational tools to solve problems and answer questions using large amounts of biological data. Students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for current jobs in both industry and academia.

Here are a few courses in Bioinformatics at UW-Eau Claire.

BIOL 149

The Big Picture in Bioinformatics

Explores how a liberal education relates to bioinformatics, the impacts of the field on society, and ethical expectations of the discipline. Provides an overview of bioinformatics looking at the differences between being a user and a developer along with additional technical topics.

BIOL 223

Foundations of Biological Inquiry

Introduction to inquiry methods in biology focusing on scientific methods including experimental design, data collection and analysis, and critical thinking.

BIOL 343

Applied Bioinformatics I

Addresses tools and applications used in the analysis of biological sequence data. Topics include navigation of biological sequence databases, sequence-similarity searches, domain and motif prediction, sequence alignment, phylogenetic analyses, molecular evolution, and analysis of differential gene expression. Covers the biological and mathematical theory underlying these analyses, and provides practical, hands-on experience with computational tools implementing them.

Get More Info

Get More Info

Sign up to receive additional information about our campus.

Loading...

Meet the Faculty

What's Next

What's Next?

student walking with athletics flag at a track meet
Request More Information
Learn more about UW-Eau Claire. Connect with admissions and get additional information about our programs and Blugold life sent to you.
Wide angle drone view of all campus and neighborhood
Schedule a Visit
See the most beautiful campus in Wisconsin for yourself. Get a campus tour, learn about our programs, and meet the friendly people of 澳门葡京网赌送彩金.
Blu the mascot high-fives a member of Blugold Marching Band
Start Your Application
Learn the steps to apply and check out admission requirements.