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 (cumming.ucalgary.ca). 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.
Bioinformatics Minor for BHSc Students (Biomedical Sciences major)
12 units Core Option: At least 3 units must be in Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology or Medical Science, and at least 3 units must be in Computer Science or Data Science.
1Medical Science 507 and 528 are independent study courses that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Director.
9 units Core Option: At least 3 units must be in Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology or Medical Science, and at least 3 units must be in Computer Science or Data Science.
1Medical Science 507 and 528 are independent study courses that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Directors.
Bioinformatics Minor for BSc Students in the Department of Biological Sciences (BISC, BCEM, CMMB, PLBI majors)
6 units Core Option: At least 3 units must be in Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology or Medical Science, and at least 3 units must be in Computer Science or Data Science.
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 Directors.
Bioinformatics Minor for BSc Students in the majors offered by the Department of Biological Sciences (ECOL and ZOOL majors)
9 units Core Option: At least 3 units must be in Biology, Biochemistry, Cellular, Molecular and Microbial Biology or Medical Science, and at least 3 units must be in Computer Science or Data Science.
1Medical Science 507 and 528 are independent study courses that may be repeated for credit. May be applicable when the topic is in the field of Bioinformatics and with consent of the Bioinformatics Directors.
Bioinformatics Minor for BSc Students majoring in Computer Science
6 units: Statistics 321 and 323; or 6 units of Statistics courses at the 300 level or above
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 Director. An equivalent project-based 507 course offered by the Department of Computer Science may be used with the consent of the Bioinformatics Director.
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 Directors of Bioinformatics. Students should contact the BHSc Program Co-ordinator for more information.