Computational Biology (Computer Science)

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BS
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

Computational biology is a new and promising field of study. The purpose of this interdisciplinary major is to provide a top-notch educational program for students interested in the areas of computational biology and bioinformatics.

The program seeks to achieve two goals:

1) to develop an understanding of the issues associated with developing biologically meaningful computational models, and

2) to give students the broad-based education that is needed to create a set of models directed towards solving a practical biomedical problem.

This major is offered through both the Biological Science and Computer Science departments. Students in the program should be sure to consult with the advisors in their home department to make sure they are taking the correct courses in the correct sequence.

Prospective transfer students should contact as-admissions@fsu.edu (Arts and Sciences Admissions) with specific questions about admissions and mapping requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

BSC X010 (3,) General Biology I or equivalent
BSC X011 (3) General Biology II or equivalent
CHM X045, X045L (3, 1) General Chemistry I & Lab or equivalent
CHM X046, X046L (3, 1) General Chemistry II & Lab
MAC X311 (4) Calculus I

Interested students are encouraged to contact the participating departments regarding completion of these courses.

Strongly recommended: Students interested in this major are encouraged to complete an introductory programming course in C++ or equivalent during their freshman/sophomore years.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (ASL2160C or equivalent) level.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
Students must complete at least 52 semester hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 3.00, at least half the required General Education hours including two English and two mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 45-46 hours
All courses applicable to the major must be completed with a grade of C minus or better.

Required Biological Science Courses (9 hours)
BSC 2010 (3) Biological Science I
BSC 2011 (3) Biological Science II
PCB 3063 (3) Genetics

Required Computer Science Courses (12-13 hours)
COP 3363 (3) Introduction to C++ for majors OR both COP 3014 (3) Programming I and COP 3353 (1) Introduction to UNIX
COP 3330 (3) Data Structures, Algorithms, and Generic Programming I
CDA 3100 (3) Computer Organization I
COP 4530 (3) Data Structures, Algorithms, and Generic Programming II

Additional Elective Courses: (24 hours)
Twenty-four (24) additional hours chosen from Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics selected from: MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 4481, STA 4102, STA 4103, STA 4202, STA 4203, STA 4502, STA 4702, IDC 4140, COP 3252, CEN 4020, COP 4710, COP 4420, CIS 4900R, BSC 3402L, BOT 4394, BSC 2010L, BSC 2011L, BSC 4613, BSC 4900r, BSC 4933, MCB 4403, MCB 4403L, PCB 3134, PCB 3743, PCB 4024, PCB 4233, PCB 4253, PCB 4674, PCB 4843

Collateral Courses: (18 hours)
All collateral courses must be completed with a grade of C minus or better.

Mathematics/Statistics (10 hours)
MAC 2311 (4) Calculus with Analytical Geometry I
MAD 2104 (3) Discrete Mathematics
Statistics: STA 2171 Statistics for Biology or STA 2122 Applied Statistics or STA 4442 Introduction to Probability totaling 3 credit hours

Chemistry (8 hours)
CHM 1045 and 1045L (3,1) General Chemistry I and Lab
CHM 1046 and 1046L (3,1) General Chemistry II and Lab

Minor Requirements:
A minor is not required for this program.

Digital Literacy: 0 hours beyond major.
COP 3363 (3) Introduction to Programming in C++ or COP 3014 (3) Programming I meet this requirement.

Oral Communication Competency: 0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement is met through a college-level approved course, such as SPC 1017 or SPC 2608 (3). Students taking CIS 3250 or any GE Ethics course may take CIS 3250L (1) Ethics & CS lab to satisfy this requirement.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Prerequisite Coursework 0 beyond other requirements
Major Coursework 45-46
Collateral Coursework 30-32
Minor Coursework 0 beyond collateral courses
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Digital Literacy 0 beyond major
Oral Communication Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*Some coursework completed for this major may also apply toward General Education in the areas of Mathematics and Science.

** No CGS courses, and no internship courses such as CIS 3943r Internship in Computer Science will count toward the requirements for Computational Biology.**

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. View the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks
1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Computational Biologist, Bioinformatics Specialist, Biotechnologist, Pharmaceutical/Medical Researcher, Forensic Scientist, Molecular Medicine Specialist, Comparative Genomics Scientist, Genetic Engineer, Human Geneticist, and Genome Analyst, Programmer, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer, Data Processing System Manager, Network Administrator.

Representative Employers: Pharmaceutical Companies, Healthcare Providers, Medical Laboratories, Biotechnology Companies, Law Enforcement Agencies, Colleges and Universities, State and Federal Government, Software Development Companies.