Bioinformatics Outcomes and Curriculum Map
2015-2016
Program Goals
Bioinformatics majors should demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of fundamental biological processes at organism, physiological, cellular and molecular
levels.
2. Basic understanding of principles of chemistry and their applications to living systems; properties of
bio-molecules and their contribution to structure and function of cells.
3. Understanding of computer programming methodology; including algorithm design and program
development. Capability of designing and applying software tools for biological data analysis.
4. Proficiency in the use of mathematical tools including discrete mathematics, calculus, and statistics.
5. Integrated knowledge and technical skills gained from diverse scientific disciplines of biochemical,
mathematical, computational and life sciences; understanding key problems, possible solutions, and
latest advances in bioinformatics.
6. Understanding of the process of scientific inquiry, preparation for rigorous research, quantitative
problem solving skills, data analysis and interpretation of results.
Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the bioinformatics program, the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the structural and functional organization of the living cells. Describe
properties of bio-molecules. Explain how macromolecules catalyze chemical transformations and build
complex multi-molecular structures of the cell. Exhibit familiarity with the major techniques for
studying structure and function of cells at molecular level.
2. Explain how macromolecules store and transmit hereditary information. Demonstrate understanding of
their molecular structure/function relationships. Understand the impact of variation on biological
function.
3. Demonstrate the ability to resolve scientific problems by applying an integrated approach derived from
up-to-date technical skills of biological, chemical, mathematical and computational disciplines.
4. Demonstrate understanding of algorithms and computational methods in bioinformatics. Be able to
apply existing computational tools to solve biological problems and perform data analysis.
5. Demonstrate strong programming skills. Possess an understanding of the practices and dynamics
required to develop bioinformatics software.
6. Demonstrate basic understanding of the design, applications and significance of biological databases;
Extract, evaluate and manipulate relevant data from large biological data sets.
7. Demonstrate the capability of making scientific observations, develop appropriate hypotheses and
design experiments to test the hypotheses. Be able to statistically validate and quantitatively analyze the
results obtained from the experiments, interpret the outcomes and make inferences. Write logical and
cohesive scientific reports.
8. Demonstrate the capability to critically evaluate scientific literature. Design and conduct an original
research project, critically analyze the results and present scientific findings orally and in a written
report.
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Curriculum Map
The curriculum map shows the alignment of the learning outcomes to the specific courses students are required
to take in the bioinformatics curriculum. The level of expertise is noted within the map, I denotes that a concept
is introduced, P denotes that a concept is practiced (at a more advanced level), and M denotes that the student is
able to demonstrate mastery of the concept or to apply the learned concept in a novel way.
Outcome #
Course
BIOL 110/112
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
CellularMolecular
Organization
Gene
Expression
Solve
ProblemsIntg. App.
Comp
Methods &
Apps
Bioinfo
Programming
Bioinfo
Databases
Scientific
Observ. &
Analysis
Critique
Literature
I/P
I
I
P
P
P
M
M
M
Fund. Bio I & II
BIOL 331
Genetics
BIOL 406
I/P
Cell Molec Bio
CHEM 110-112
I
Fund Chem I & II
CHEM 210-212
I
P
Org. Chem I & II
CHEM 425
P
P
Biochemistry
CMPS 147/148
I
I/P
Comp Science I & II
CMPS 231
P
Data Structures
CMPS 345
P
Algorithms
CMPS 361
P
Software Design
CMPS 364
P
I/P
Database Design
CMPS 369
P
Web Programming
MATH 121
I
Calculus I
PSYC 242
P
Statistics
BIIN 210
I
Pearl Programming
BIIN 351
M
P
I
P
P
P
Molecular Modeling
BIIN 430
M
P
P
Bioinformatics
BIIN 450
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
Adv. Bioinformatics
SRSH 301-402
Research Honors
I: Concept Introduced
P: Practiced
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M: Mastered