Graduate Programs in Bioinformatics

The mission of the Institute of Bioinformatics is to educate and train graduate students in bioinformatics research and its applications, so that they can attain mastery and leadership in this new interdisciplinary field. Graduate students pursue research-oriented programs of study leading to a degree or certificate. The Institute offers three options:

• Ph.D. degree in bioinformatics,
  
• M.S. degree in bioinformatics (with thesis and non-thesis options), and
  
• Graduate certificate in bioinformatics.

Applications for Admission to the Bioinformatics Program

• Completed graduate application form (Online)
  
• Official transcripts from the attended colleges
  
• GRE test scores
  
• Application fee
  
• TOEFL test scores (for international students)
  

Detailed graduate admissions information may be found at Graduate School Admissions. In addition, the applicants should request that three letters of recommendation be sent to

Graduate Coordinator
Institute of Bioinformatics
B118 Life Science Building
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602-7229
U.S.A.

• a personal statement describing the student's interest in bioinformatics, and
• curriculum vitae

While in the program, students will fulfill all the requirements of the Graduate School for the graduate degree. Student progress in the program will be monitored by the Graduate Coordinator and the IOB Graduate Affairs Committee. Upon arrival at the university, students will be assigned a curriculum advisor for guidance and mentoring. Because this program is interdisciplinary, students will be required to take prerequisite courses in areas where they do not have the necessary background. Students will select their major professor and establish an advisory committee by the end of their first year in the program.

The advisory committee will meet with the students no less than once a year and will be responsible for mentoring the student's research and training, approving the student's program of study, administering the written and oral comprehensive examination, approving the subject for the dissertation, approving the completed dissertation, and approving the student's defense of his or her research.

Ph.D. students will take a comprehensive examination at the beginning of their third year under the supervision of the major professor, following the Graduate School guidelines. Successful candidates for the PhD degrees will then typically concentrate on their research projects. After completing their research, they will write a dissertation and defend it at a final oral examination.

M.S. students with the thesis option are required to conduct a research project and to write a thesis based on it. An oral exam will be conducted by the advisory committee during which the student will defend his/her thesis. For the non-thesis option, the student will prepare a technical report on a research project in bioinformatics under the direction of a designated member of the IOB faculty. The technical report must be approved by a committee including the project director.

All students will receive training and experience in written and oral communication skills and training in the responsible conduct of research.

The details of the graduate program can be found in the Bioinformatics Graduate Student Handbook.

Graduate Assistantships