Bioinformatics
Mailing Address:
Department of Bioengineering (MC 063)
851 South Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7052
Campus Location: 218 SEO
Program Codes: 20FS1909MS (MS);
20FS1909PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-2335
E-mail: bioe@uic.edu
Web Site: http://bioe.uic.edu
Head of the Department: Thomas Royston
Program Chairperson: Jie Liang
Director of Graduate Studies: David Eddington
The Department of Bioengineering offers a program leading to degrees in Bioinformatics at both the master’s and doctoral levels.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on an individual basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Science
- Baccalaureate Field Physical sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or biology. Students from other areas are also encouraged to apply if their backgrounds indicate a reasonable chance of success in the program.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required GRE General, quantitative reasoning percentile rank above 50%.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required.
- Personal Statement Required.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Baccalaureate Field Physical sciences, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or biology. Students from other areas are also encouraged to apply if their backgrounds indicate a reasonable chance of success in the program.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required GRE General, quantitative reasoning percentile rank above 50%.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required.
- Personal Statement Required.
- Deadlines The application deadline for applicants requiring funding is December 15.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Science
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 36.
- Course Work At least 28 hours (with thesis) or 36 hours (course work only). At least 12 hours must be at the 500-level, excluding BIOE 595 and 598. Limited credit hours in BIOE 596 are allowed upon departmental approval.
- Required Courses: 1 hour of BIOE 595. Additional required courses vary by area; contact the department for the specific requirements of each area.
- Comprehensive Examination None.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Thesis or course work only. No other options are available.
- Thesis: Students must earn at least 8 hours in BIOE 598.
- Course Work Only: Students must earn 36 hours from course work only as described in Course Work heading above, with the addition that 16 of the 36 hours must be BIOE course offerings at the 500-level.
- Other Requirements Each student must present at least one seminar prior to graduation.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 108 from the baccalaureate.
- Course Work At least 32 hours must be at the 500-level, excluding BIOE 599.
- Required Courses: Two hours of BIOE 595. Additional required courses vary by area; contact department or program for additional required courses in the elective areas.
- Examinations Departmental Qualifying Examination: Required.
- Preliminary Examination: Required.
- Dissertation Required. Students must earn at least 44 semester hours in BIOE 599.
- Other Requirements Each student is required to present at least two seminars prior to graduation. Students must be registered during the semester of intended graduation.
