Bioinformatics
Successful applicants to our Master of Science program in Bioinformatics must have a strong background in computing, information technology, and biology. You should be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of the undergraduate Informatics degree.
Promising applicants lacking competencies necessary for admission may be allowed to take courses that will satisfy those requirements, as determined by School of Informatics and Computing faculty. Those courses, however, would not count towards degree or certificate completion.
Prerequisites- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (with demonstrated technical skills)
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.0 (4.0 point scale)
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores from within the past five years if you are seeking direct financial assistance (such as an assistantship or fellowship) from the School of Informatics and Computing. A GRE score is not required to submit your FAFSA or to seek other federal or private financial assistance opportunities.
Students holding a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field from an accredited four-year collegiate institution must have completed all or part of the prerequisite courses listed below:
- K322 Genetics and Molecular Biology and K324 Cell Biology or BIOL 507 Molecular Biology
Students holding a bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field from an accredited four-year collegiate institution must have completed all or part of the prerequisite courses listed below:
- Programming in C, C++, or Java (3 credits)
- Programming/Database (3 credits) (e.g. N510 Web-Database Concepts)
- Statistics (3 credits) (e.g. SPEA K300 or PSY B305)
The Graduate Admissions Committee will not review applications until the application fee and all required materials are completed and received by the deadlines indicated.
Submit a resume, transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation to:
Graduate Admissions CommitteeSchool of Informatics and Computing
535 W. Michigan Street, IT 475
Indianapolis, IN 46202
- Complete and submit the IUPUI Graduate Online Application form. Paper applications are not accepted. Choose “M.S. Informatics” and Bioinformatics in the “Academic Interest” section.
- Submit a resume listing your education, work, research, honors/awards and computer programming experience. This may be attached to your online application or sent separately.
- Submit a personal statement (visit the IU Writing Center for instructions on how to write such a statement). This may be attached to your online application or sent separately. Your personal statement should indicate the following:
- Why you’re applying to the program
- Your post-graduation career plans
- Submit all official transcripts from previous colleges and universities. NOTE: we do not require transcripts from Indiana University campuses.
- Submit three references from academic instructors and/or employers. To submit references, you will input contact information for each person on your electronic application. The reference will receive a form via email to fill out and submit electronically.
- Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and ensure that IUPUI receives your score report from the GRE exam board (when applying for financial support). The Informatics and Computing school code for the GRE is 1325 – enter this code on the exam’s answer sheets.
- Submit English language proficiency exam score (International and non-native English speaking students only – see instructions below).
- Pay your $60 application fee.
If your native language is not English, submit with your application one of the following official test scores from within the past two years:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum required scores: 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper test and 79 for the Internet-based test.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum required score of 6.5 or higher
Use IUPUI School Code 1325 to ensure correct routing of your score to IUPUI.
- The TOEFL may be waived if a B.S. or M.S. degree has been earned in the United States
- If you are in the Indianapolis area, placement into G013 or higher on the IUPUI ESL Placement Test may replace the TOEFL requirement for admission. Test registration is arranged by calling 317-274-4240. You must have submitted your application and received a University ID to be eligible to register for this test.
- If you need additional English language study, you may enroll at the ELS Language Centers intensive English program at IUPUI and successfully complete Level 112. We accept successful completion of ELS 112 in place of a TOEFL report.
Last updated: 02/11/2014