The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) has developed a new online graduate program in bioinformatics.  Bioinformatics is the application of mathematical, statistical, and computational approaches to understand biological processes. The degrees in bioinformatics will be offered online and will include interdisciplinary classes across the fields of mathematics, computer science, spatial information science and engineering, and molecular and cell biology.  GSBS faculty from the University of Maine, the Jackson Laboratory, Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory, University of New England, University of Southern Maine and Maine Medical Center Research Institute will be teaching the courses for these online degree programs.

Professional Science Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics

The PSM provides an opportunity for advanced training directly relevant to current knowledge for their professional careers.  The PSM degree in bioinformatics, which will be offered online, will be an interdisciplinary collaboration across the fields of mathematics, computer science, spatial information science and engineering, and molecular and cell biology. Students entering the program are expected to come from a cell and molecular biology background and require more intensive training in math, computer and information science, or from the mathematics, computer or information sciences disciplines and need training in cell and molecular biology. In accordance with the PSM program guidelines, there will be 15 credits of bioinformatics courses, nine credits of enrichment courses, and six credits of applied field experience.   A sample schedule for the course of study is the following:

Fall First Year (6 cr)

• SIE 507 Information Systems Programming (3 cr) or BMS 525 Molecular Genetics (3 cr)

• MAT 541 Computational Genomics (3 cr)

Spring First Year (5 cr)

• BMB 525 Functional Genomics (4 cr)

• INT601 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 cr)

Summer First Year (3 cr)

• Plus Element course (3 cr)

Fall Second Year (4 cr)

• SIE 550 Engineering Databases (3 cr)

• GSBS module (1 cr)

Spring Second Year (9 cr)

• Plus Element course (3 cr)

• Applied Field Research (6 cr)

Summer Second Year (3 cr)

• Plus Element course (3 cr)

The applied field experience will be self-directed and will be scheduled at the convenience of the student.  With permission, other courses may be substituted for those listed for the Bioinformatics Core or Plus Element courses.  In addition, as new courses are developed for online delivery, other courses may be added to the Bioinformatics Core and Plus Element courses as they become available.  Prior graduate courses that have been taken by students, including courses considered for transfer will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The 6 credits of applied field experience are a cornerstone of the PSM degree.  The applied field experience will integrate computer science, mathematics, biomedical sciences and plus element courses into a project that is relevant to the students’ current or future employment.  The students will present their complete projects before a committee of faculty and industrial leaders.

Program specifics

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained for the PSM in Bioinformatics