Bioinformatics
Use coding and data science to solve biological problems
What You'll Study
Bioinformatics is the intersection of Biology and Computer Science. You use code to analyze massive biological datasets—like sequencing the human genome or modeling protein folding.
- Genomics & Genetics
- Computer Programming (Python/R)
- Algorithms
- Databases
- Statistics
- Molecular Biology
- Data Mining
- Machine Learning
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You love Biology but also love Computers
- ✓You want a high-paying job in science without a PhD
- ✓You are interested in the Human Genome Project or CRISPR
- ✓You prefer sitting at a computer over standing in a wet lab
- ✓You like finding patterns in massive data
- ✓You want to help cure diseases using code
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You dislike coding
- ✕You struggle with statistics
- ✕You want to touch the animals/plants (this is digital)
- ✕You find genetics boring
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Does the idea of "decoding DNA" sound cool?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
Data Scientist
Analyze complex data sets to derive insights that drive business decisions. Combine statistics, programming, and domain expertise.
Software Engineer
Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. Work with cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems.
Biomedical Engineer
Apply engineering principles to healthcare, developing medical devices, prosthetics, and diagnostic equipment.
Other Common Career Paths
- •Bioinformatician
- •Computational Biologist
- •Data Scientist
- •Genomic Data Analyst
Industries
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Explore the "NCBI" database online and look up a specific gene sequence.
Learn basic Python for biology (Biopython tutorial).
Write a script to count nucleotides (A, C, T, G) in a DNA string.
Related Majors
Frequently Asked Questions
It is truly both. You take core classes in both departments.
Yes, extremely. Pharma and Biotech need people who understand both bio and code.
Less so than pure Bio. The tech skills are valuable with a BS/MS.
Yes, it's a great unique major for Med School.
Mostly yes, but also proteomics (proteins) and metabolomics.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Bioinformatics is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.