FASTFACTS
- Google hires computational biology majors to help develop its deep learning algorithms.
- In PC’s computational biology program, you’ll take courses like Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Data Analytics.
- Dr. Robert Keskey ’11 uses computational biology in studying the effects of diet on microbiome composition and surgical outcomes.
- Computational biology is a rapidly-growing field, and job opportunities are outgrowing the number of qualified applicants.
What You’ll Study as a Computational Biology Major
If you’re strong in STEM and have a knack for recognizing patterns, computational biology may be the degree for you. Through coursework, guided research and seminar programs, you’ll hone skills in analyzing data, calculating statistics and scientific writing.
Coursework for the major totals 53-54 hours. The curriculum allows you to explore a variety of academic disciplines. You’ll take two computational biology courses including Bioinformatics Algorithms, which covers topics like DNA sequencing and gene prediction. The curriculum includes five biology classes and labs, including Genetics and Organismal Biology, and two General Chemistry classes and labs. Data Analysis and Statistical Computing is one of your three math courses, along with two business administration courses in data analytics. You also get to choose two electives, such as Biochemistry or Data Analytics and Numerical Modeling. The program culminates in a senior capstone project based on your original research and analysis. If eligible, you may also conduct an honors project, which earns you marks of distinction on your transcript and diploma.
MORE INFORMATION
- Course Requirements »
- BCHE Course Descriptions »
- BIOL Course Descriptions »
- CHEM Course Descriptions »
- CBIO Course Descriptions »
- ENVI Course Descriptions »
- CO = Co-requisite
- POI = Permissions of Instructor
- PR = Pre-requisite
- RE = Recommended
- XL = Cross-listed
Careers in Computational Biology
Employment prospects are extremely good for computational biology majors. In fact, the field is growing so rapidly that job opportunities are outgrowing the number of qualified applicants. Pharmacy, genomics, genetics, and biotechnology research and development are just some of the degree’s many career tracks.
According to PayScale, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computational biology earn an average salary of $80,000, as of January 2020. Adding a master’s degree in the field boosts that average to $100,000. Common related job titles are bioinformatician, data engineer and clinical data analyst.
As a computational biology major, your understanding of biology, mathematics, analytics and programming will distinguish you in the labor pool. You may choose a career in biomedical research, focused on treating cancer or drug resistance. Or you may work with tech companies like Google – which employs computational biologists in developing its deep learning algorithms. Whatever your major, PC’s solid liberal arts education equips you with skills for continued learning in your professional field.
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