The Ph.D. in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology admits students on a competitive basis. Preference is given to applicants with strong credentials and appropriate undergraduate and/or professional preparation.

A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an accepted accrediting body. Admission requirements for Bioinformatics track will include an adequate preparation in chemistry, biology, mathematics (preferably statistics), and computer science. Strong candidates may be allowed to make up deficiencies in some area at the discretion of the Bioinformatics admissions subcommittee.
Evidence of scholarly and creative activity, including publication list, awards, results in national or international contests related to information technology, and the like
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
Excellent GRE scores
Three letters of reference from professionals working in the applicant's field of interest that addresses the applicant's previous experience and potential to do research
Personal statement. Please include answers to the following questions:
1. What area(s) of research in Bioinformatics and Genomics are you most interested in? Which faculty members in the department would you most like to work with in order to further pursue these areas? Please discuss at least 3 different faculty, but no more than five.

2. Why have you chosen to apply to this particular program? What are your career goals, and how will a degree from this program help you achieve those goals?

3. What kind of prior experience do you have that you feel has prepared you for graduate-level research? If you have done research as an undergraduate, please tell us about the questions you were aiming to answer, your role in the research project, and what the outcome was. If you have not done research as an undergraduate, tell us instead about other projects or work efforts that you led, and what you did to accomplish the project goals.

4. What kind of technical skills do you have that are most relevant to the Ph.D. program in Bioinformatics and Genomics?

5. What would you describe as your biggest personal strengths? How do you feel these strengths will increase your chance of success in a Ph.D. program?


For non-native English language speakers: official and satisfactory scores on the English language proficiency scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are required. A minimum score of 83 on the Internet-based TOEFL or a minimum overall band score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required for admissions consideration.