Curriculum Matters

Program Structure

The program is structured such that students will share a common core multidisciplinary curriculum (lower division) in their first two years of study.

Depending on their interests and inclinations, Science and Computing students alike will be given the option of choosing their preferred track at the end of their second year of study. A Scientific Computing track will lead to a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Computational Biology while an Information Technology track will lead to a B.Comp. (Hons.) in Computational Biology. A schematic representation of the program is provided in the following figure:

The lower division embraces a fundamental body of knowledge in which a computational biologist should be proficient. This body of knowledge consists of the following:

• Discrete mathematics and combinatorics, i.e., logic, sets, graphs, counting techniques, etc.;
• Probability and statistics, i.e., sample spaces, random variables, conditioning, distributions, design of experiments, significance tests, statistical inference, etc.;
• Algorithm design and proficiency in some current programming language, i.e., combinatorial algorithms, algorithmic paradigms, analysis and design, working knowledge of current languages (for example, C, C++, Java) and experience in writing actual nontrivial code;
• Organic chemistry and biochemistry;
• Biology and genetics, including a moderate amount of wet-lab experience.

The upper division specialized tracks, on the other hand, will strengthen the student's knowledge in one of two major areas, drawing from the expertise acquired in the respective curricula:

• The Scientific Computing track focuses on theoretical foundations of DNA/protein sequence analysis, mathematical models of genetic interactions and metabolic and cell signaling pathways, as well as modeling and computational prediction of protein structures and its applications in drug design. Students taking this track will need to have strong foundations in numerical analysis, stochastic process, and advanced calculus.
• The Information Technology track trains students in algorithmic design to facilitate the design of computationally efficient software and tools in both centralized and networking environments. Students in this track will pick up skills in software engineering, networking and advanced techniques in algorithmic design.

Summary of Module Requirements & Credits

• B.Sc. (Hons.) in Computational Biology (PDF file)
• B.Comp. (Hons.) in Computational Biology (PDF file)

Module Descriptions

• B.Comp. (Hons.) in Computational Biology (microsoft doc file)

Admission & Transfer
The program targets to admit 40 students annually (20 each from the Faculty of Science and the School of Computing).

Students will be admitted into the program as either Science or Computing students. Science students who later decide to opt for the Information Technology track would have to apply for a transfer of faculty; and vice versa, for Computing students who opt for the Scientific Computing track.