This degree addresses the regional and national need for technically trained managers who will be able to lead teams of bioinformaticians in both the public and private sectors. The degree combines a solid foundation in bioinformatics research, tools, and techniques, with the management skills needed to address the associated legal, ethical, managerial, and business issues. The degree is intended for:
- Students seeking advancement in their current bioinformatics careers that requires an advanced degree in bioinformatics combined with management expertise.
- Students with a general background in biological science or computational methods who are planning to enter the field of bioinformatics as managers and would like to strengthen their bioinformatics and managerial expertise.
Admissions
University-wide admissions policies can be found in the Graduate Admissions Policies section of this catalog. International students and students having earned international degrees should also refer to Admission of International Students for additional requirements.
Eligibility
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in biology, computer science, or a related field from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent with a GPA of at least 3.00 in their last 60 credits of study. Applicants should have taken courses in molecular biology, computer science, calculus, physical chemistry, and statistics. Students with deficiencies in one or more of these areas may be required to take additional courses from the undergraduate curriculum.
Application Requirements
To apply for this program, prospective students should submit the George Mason University Admissions Application and its required supplemental documentation, a goals statement, and two letters of recommendation.
The GRE is not required for admission into this program.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate programs, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Transferring Previous Graduate Credit into this Program
Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
Students should refer to the Admissions & Policies tab for specific policies related to this program.
Bioinformatics Core Courses
Foundational courses in modern biotechnology, tools and methods for bioinformatics analysis, and methods for creating customized bioinformatics tools.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BINF 530 | Introduction to Bioinformatics Methods | 3 |
| or BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | |
| BINF 531 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | 3 |
| or BINF 631 | Molecular Cell Biology for Bioinformatics | |
| BINF 634 | Bioinformatics Programming | 3 |
| BINF 730 | Biological Sequence and Genome Analysis | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Molecular Biotechnology | ||
| Introduction to Bioinformatics Database Design | ||
| Biological Data Analysis | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Management Core Courses
Foundational courses in management theory related directly to the management of scientific programs and personnel.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits from the following courses: | 12 | |
| Professional Preparation for STEM Disciplines | ||
| Multidisciplinary Problem Solving and Leadership | ||
| Corporate Environmental Management and Policy | ||
| Financial Reporting and Decision Making | ||
| Marketing Management | ||
| Managerial Finance | ||
| Organizational Behavior | ||
| Project Management in Public Health | ||
| Project Management in Health Information Technology | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Software Project Management | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Capstone Research Project
Focusing on bioinformatics management issues and techniques.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BINF 798 | Research Project | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 | |