2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/engineering/concentration/computer-science/bioinformatics/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/graduate/

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration

The Department of Computer Science is one of the longest established computer science departments in the world and is consistently ranked as a top-5 graduate program.

The MS in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration is an interdisciplinary degree that can be counted toward the PhD in Computer Science.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The recommended background for students entering a Computer Science graduate degree program is a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general aptitude tests (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) are no longer required. However, in some cases, GRE general scores may provide helpful supporting information.

Applicants to the Computer Science Concentration of the MS in Bioinformatics program must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 (A = 4.00) in their undergraduate studies (international GPAs are systematically converted) to be considered. The department reserves the right to admit applicants with lower GPAs under rare and exceptional circumstances. If an applicant also holds a graduate degree, the minimum GPA for that degree must be 3.00. Full details of the programs offered by Computer Science, admissibility, application procedures, and deadlines can be found at the department's Prospective Graduate Student Information website.

All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores as evidence of English proficiency. Minimum admission requirements are set by the Graduate College.

Financial Aid

Research assistantships and teaching assistantships (all of which include tuition and partial fee waivers) are awarded on a competitive basis. All applicants, regardless of US citizenship, whose native language is not English and who wish to be considered for teaching assistantships (one of the most common forms of financial aid for new graduate students in the department) must demonstrate spoken English language proficiency by achieving a minimum score of 24 on the speaking subsection of the TOEFL iBT or 8 on the speaking subsection of the IELTS (academic exam). Students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS are required to receive a minimum score of 5 on the OEAI test, offered on campus. All new teaching assistants are required to participate in the Graduate Academy for College Teaching conducted prior to the start of the semester.

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration

The Computer Science concentration for the MS in Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary degree that can be counted toward the Computer Science PhD.

For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Degree Requirements and the Graduate College Handbook.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | CS 411 | Database Systems | 4 | | CS 473 | Algorithms | 4 | | STAT 410 | Statistics and Probability II | 4 | | Fundamental Bioinformatics (choose one) | | 4 | | ANSC 542 | Applied Bioinformatics | | | ANSC 545 | | | | CHBE 571 | Bioinformatics | | | CPSC 567 | Bioinformatics & Systems Biol | | | CS 466 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | | | IB 467 | Principles of Systematics | | | MCB 432 | Computing in Molecular Biology | | | Biology (choose one) | | 4 | | ANSC 441 | Human Genetics | | | ANSC 444 | Applied Animal Genetics | | | ANSC 446 | Population Genetics | | | BIOP 401 | Introduction to Biophysics | | | BIOP 550 | Biomolecular Physics | | | CPSC 452 | Advanced Plant Genetics | | | CPSC 466 | Genomics for Plant Improvement | | | CPSC 563 | Chromosomes | | | CPSC 564 | | | | CPSC 566 | Plant Gene Regulation | | | MCB 400 | Cancer Cell Biology | | | MCB 450 | Introductory Biochemistry | | | MCB 501 | Advanced Biochemistry | | | MCB 502 | Advanced Molecular and Cell Biology | | | CS electives, chosen from a departmental list of CS electives. | | 12 | | One additional 4-credit hour graduate course (may be from the bioinformatics or biological science categories above) | | 4 | | Total Hours | | 36 |

Other Requirements

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Other Requirements and Conditions may overlap | | | | A minimum of 12 500-level credit hours overall. | | | | The minimum program GPA is 3.0 | | | | All degree requirements must be completed within five consecutive semesters (only fall and spring semesters are counted). | | |

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration

1. Apply the essential concepts in algorithm design and analysis, and the ways in which those concepts impact bioinformatics.
2. Demonstrate the ability to read, analyze, discuss, and critique scientific advances and limitations described in the research literature.
3. Implement bioinformatics software tools and use these tools in biological data analysis.
4. Effectively and accurately communicate to an interdisciplinary audience in both oral and written formats.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of and ability to follow ethical standards in research and professional service.

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for the degree of Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Computer Science Concentration

Computer Science

Department Head: Nancy Amato\ Director of Graduate Studies: Darko Marinov\ Computer Science website\ 1210 Siebel Center, 201 N Goodwin, Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-4428\ academic@cs.illinois.edu

Bioinformatics Program

Computer Science Contact: Viveka P Kudaligama\ Informatics Contact: Karin Readel\ Informatics phone: (217)-244-1220\ Bioinformatics Program website\ Bioinformatics Computer Science Program website\ Informatics Faculty Affiliates

Grainger College of Engineering

Grainger College of Engineering website

Admissions

Computer Science Admissions & Requirements\ Graduate College Admissions & Requirements