Bioinformatics
The Program in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Michigan is an interdisciplinary gateway program that coordinates admissions and the first year of Ph.D. studies for 13 department programs, including Bioinformatics. PIBS offers you the flexibility and convenience of applying to any of our participating programs through one application. We invite you to thoroughly explore Bioinformatics and the other 12 programs before selecting your top preferences when you apply.
Program Overview
The area of Bioinformatics is scientifically young. Our program accepted its first students in 2001, establishing itself as one of the first Bioinformatics programs in the nation. Bioinformatics at the University of Michigan is part of the Center for Computational Medicine and Biology (CCMB), an interdisciplinary center whose mission is to catalyze research and teaching on biomedical problems where quantitative and computational methods can be of decisive value.
Students in our program come in many backgrounds: biological sciences, computer science and basic quantitative sciences such as statistics, mathematics, chemistry and physics. A significant number join the program after some post-college job experience.
Bioinformatics now includes 36 Ph.D. students. They are mentored by the CCMB faculty, which is more than 105 strong and represents more than 20 departments and programs and six colleges within the University. The faculty are about evenly split among those of more biological or more quantitative expertise.Research Area(s):
Bioinformatics offers a breathtaking range of research opportunities, from applications to clinical medical problems and specific diseases to computational work on synthetic biological systems. There are very active groups in:
- Basic structural analysis of macromolecules
- Cancer informatics
- Database applications and drug design
- Modeling and analysis of complex diseases such as diabetes and neural disorders
- Population
- Proteomics analysis and medical applications
- Statistical and molecular genetics
- Systems biology
An exciting new group is forming around medical informatics and translational applications. In addition, there are opportunities in the areas of business applications and technology transfer. Bioinformatics has had an NIH supported training grant since 2005. Our students are eligible for a wide range of other training grant support related to more specific areas of research.
Program Requirements
Coursework
Bioinformatics requires students to study in four of five basic areas: molecular biology; computing and databases; probability and statistics; biophysics and structural biology; and systemic modeling. Students are expected to achieve mastery in at least one.
Students are especially encouraged to strengthen their skills in statistics. Students are closely advised to match their backgrounds to this curriculum, and a special curriculum is available for cross-training, i.e., to bring students with quantitative background into the biosciences, and to acquaint biologists with computer science and statistical methods.
Our program offers a growing list of courses related specifically to quantitative and computational approaches to biomedical problems, such as microarray expression analysis, proteome informatics and computational neuroscience. In addition, students take courses in statistics, systems biology, chemistry, cell biology, genetics and many other areas in other departments and schools.
The Bioinformatics program also includes weekly research seminars with invited speakers, two journal clubs, and a lively seminar where students present their research.
Students take a prelim exam at the end of winter/beginning of spring term of their second year. Students entering with a relevant Master’s degree are encouraged to take prelims fall of their second year. The prelim exam should show both creativity and skill, and should not be related to the student’s thesis work. Students sometimes develop their prelim proposals into a paper and/or a thesis chapter.
Teaching Requirement
Teaching, in bioinformatics and a variety of departments, is encouraged and expected from most Bioinformatics students. Individual circumstances such as English language ability, interest, and funding situation of the mentor will be considered.
Expected Length of Program
The expected time to degree is typically 5 years.
Student Interests
Seven to 10 new Ph.D. students join our program every year. Our students have been quite successful with winning prestigious fellowships from the graduate school. Each term, we emphasize and encourage contact between faculty and students through kick-off research events and regular social gatherings.
Career Expectations
Students from the Bioinformatics Graduate Program have entered careers in academia, biotechnology, business, and biomedical research. There are already three CEO’s of new firms among our small number of alumni, and two young tenure-track professors.
