UofC

A Minor in Bioinformatics is available for students in the following programs:

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (Biomedical Sciences or Health and Society majors)
• Bachelor of Science in majors offered through the Department of Biological Sciences (Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology, Ecology, Zoology or Plant Biology)
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The GPA over all courses counting towards the minor must be at least 2.00.

In order to be admitted to the Minor, students must have successfully completed a minimum of 24 units with a minimum GPA of 2.50 over the preceding 24 units. Students must apply online via their Student Centre.

The Minor has a fixed number of places for students (maximum 15 per calendar year). Students will be considered for admission on a competitive basis. The application to the Minor will include consideration of the applicant’s grade point average and a statement of interest explaining why they wish to complete a Minor in Bioinformatics. Information on document submission can be found on the Bachelor of Health Sciences website (www.cumming.ucalgary.ca/bhsc) [information to be inserted following approval]. Where the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available places, consideration will be given to a distribution of students from all eligible disciplines (Health Sciences (BMED, HSOC); Biological Sciences (multiple majors); and Computer Science).

Students interested in a Minor in Bioinformatics should meet with a program advisor as early in their program as possible. Students should be aware that some courses have prerequisites and must be taken into consideration when planning their program.

• 6 units: Computer Science 217 and 219; or Computer Science 231 and 233
• 3 units: Computer Science 319 or 331
• 3 units: any Computer Science course at the 300 level or above
• 9 units chosen from: Biology 401; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, 413, 461, 511, 523; Ecology 529; Plant Biology 401; Medical Science 541, 543, 545, or 507¹
• 6 units: Medical Science 401 and 403
• 3 units: Medical Science 519 or 507²

¹Medical Science 507 is an independent study course that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

²May be applicable with a project from the field of Bioinformatics and with consent from the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

• 6 units: Computer Science 217 and 219; or Computer Science 231 and 233
• 3 units: Computer Science 319 or 331
• 3 units: any Computer Science course at the 300 level or above
• 3 units: Medical Science 341 or Biology 311
• 6 units chosen from: Biology 401; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, 413, 461, 511, 523; Ecology 529; Plant Biology 401; Medical Science 541, 543, 545, or 507¹
• 6 units: Medical Science 401 and 403
• 3 units: Medical Science 519 or 507²

¹Medical Science 507 is an independent study course that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

²May be applicable with a project from the field of Bioinformatics and with consent from the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

• 6 units: Computer Science 217 and 219; or Computer Science 231 and 233; or Computer Science 235 and 3 units of Computer Science at the 300 level or above
• 3 units: Computer Science 319 or 331
• 3 units: any Computer Science or Mathematics course at the 300 level or above
• 3 units: Medical Science 341 or Biology 311
• 3 units chosen from: Biology 401; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, 413, 461, 511, 523; Ecology 529; Plant Biology 401; Medical Science 541, 543, 545, or 507¹
• 3 units: Biology 315 or Statistics 321
• 6 units: Medical Science 401 and 403
• 3 units: Medical Science 519 or 507²

¹Medical Science 507 is an independent study course that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

²May be applicable with a project from the field of Bioinformatics or an equivalent project-based 507 course offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and with consent from the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

• 6 units: Computer Science 217 and 219; or Computer Science 231 and 233 or Computer Science 235 and 3 units of Computer Science at the 300 level or above
• 3 units: Computer Science 319 or 331
• 3 units: any Computer Science or Mathematics course at the 300 level or above
• 3 units: Medical Science 341 or Biology 311
• 6 units chosen from: Biology 401; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, 413, 461, 511, 523; Ecology 529; Plant Biology 401; Medical Science 541, 543, 545, or 507¹
• 6 units: Medical Science 401 and 403
• 3 units: Medical Science 519 or 507²

¹Medical Science 507 is an independent study course that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

²May be applicable with a project from the field of Bioinformatics or an equivalent project-based 507 course offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and with consent from the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

• 6 units: Statistics 321 and 323; or 6 units of Statistics courses at the 300 level or above
• 6 units: Biology 241 and 243
• 3 units: Medical Science 341 or Biology 311
• 3 units: Medical Science 351 or Biology 331
• 3 units: chosen from Biology 401; Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology 411, 413, 461, 511, 523; Ecology 529; Plant Biology 401; Medical Science 541, 543, 545, Medical Science 507¹ (CPSC 503)
• 6 units: Medical Science 401 and 403
• 3 units: Medical Science 519 or 507²

¹Medical Science 507 is an independent study course that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

²May be applicable with a project from the field of Bioinformatics or an equivalent project-based 507 course offered by the Department of Computer Science and with consent from the Bioinformatics Co-Directors.

Notes:

1. Students may use a maximum of 9 units of coursework to fulfill the requirements of both their Major field and the Minor program.

2. Students should note that many of these courses have prerequisites and must be taken into consideration when planning their program.

3. Some of the above courses may be restricted to Majors in the field and students may not have enrolment priority in heavily subscribed courses.

4. Students who are pursuing an Honours degree may consider a cross-disciplinary Honours thesis and should consult with a program advisor regarding opportunities in the area.

5. Other courses may be approved to fulfill the requirements of the Bioinformatics minor at the discretion of the Co-Directors of Bioinformatics. Students should contact the BHSc Program Coordinator for more information.