Bioinformatics (BS)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Bioinformatics to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Bioinformatics majors from Advising:
- Your ability to complete this major in eight semesters may be impacted if you do not begin with your recommended calculus course placement.
- Don’t forget to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- If you receive a math placement of 161, that means you are eligible to take either MATH 131: Applied Calculus (3 credits) or MATH 161: Calculus (4 credits), two different Calculus tracks. You can learn more information about the differences between Math 161 and Math 131 here. For your major, MATH 131 is the department recommendation as it will be tailored to the math that you will need and will leave more room in your schedule for other coursework.
- If you are a pre-med student, you should plan on taking BIOL 111 and CHEM 161 this fall as they are pre-med requirements. If you do this, plan on taking one less Core course.
- If you are a pre-med student, consider taking SOCL 101 as it is a pre-med requirement.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Bioinformatics major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- BIOL 101 (3 credits)
One of the following math courses based on your math placement (3 credits):
- MATH 100 or MATH 117 or MATH 118 or MATH 131
From here, your math placement will have you enroll in either Plan A or Plan B.
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Plan A: If you have a math placement of MATH 118 or above you will register for:
- CHEM 160 (3 credits)
Two of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 6 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100M, UCLR 100C, or UCLR 100E
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
Plan B: If you have a math placement of MATH 117 or below you will register for:
Three of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 9 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100M, UCLR 100C, or UCLR 100E
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Bioinformatics major, you will enroll in the following courses:
- BIOL 101 (3 credits)
One of the following math courses based on your math placement (3 credits):
- MATH 100 or MATH 117 or MATH 118 or MATH 131
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
From here, your math placement will have you enroll in either Plan A or Plan B.
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Plan A: If you have a math placement of MATH 118 or above you will register for:
- CHEM 160 (3 credits)
Plan B: If you have a math placement of MATH 117 or below you will register for:
One of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 3 total credits):
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: Any 100/200/300-level HIST course
- Foundational Societal & Cultural Knowledge: ANTH 100, PLSC 102, SOCL 101, or WSGS 101
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Bioinformatics to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.