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The MS degree prepares students for advanced research. The Computational Sciences Concentration allows students with strong quantitative sciences backgrounds to gain knowledge and research experience in developing computational methods and bioinformatics tools and databases for the study of biological systems. The BICB-MS graduates will have solid knowledge and research experience to pursue further study towards a PhD or other professional degree such as MD, MBA or law, or a research career in academia, industry, or government agencies.

The Master’s degree requires 31 credits of course work and must include 15 credits of Bioinformatics Data Science core courses, 3 credits of Ethics, 6 credits of Elective and 1 credit of Seminar.

Master’s Thesis

Up to 6 credits of Master’s Thesis (BINF869) must be used to meet the degree requirements. The master’s thesis shall be supervised by the Thesis Faculty Advisor. Students will prepare and present a research proposal to their Thesis Committee for review and approval of the proposed research project. Following completion of the research outlined in the proposal, the MS degree candidates will prepare a written thesis according to the guidelines set forth by the Graduate College. A thesis defense, preceded by a seminar, will be held. The student’s Faculty Advisor and Thesis Committee will administer and evaluate the thesis defense.

Thesis Committee Guidelines

Formation of Thesis Committee – Students must assemble their thesis committee one month prior to their second academic year. The committee must contain at least three members, with at least two CBCB Affiliate Faculty. Students must complete the Thesis Committee Formation form and complete a one page document proposing a topic and a plan of work. Upon completion, both documents need to be submitted to the Associate Director.

Thesis Committee Meetings – The thesis committee will meet prior to the first semester of the second academic year to discuss project guidelines and assess student progress. If needed, the committee can chose to meet again (prior to the thesis defense) to ensure student is meeting expectations. Within two weeks of the committee meeting, the Thesis Committee Evaluation form must be completed and submitted to the Education and Outreach Coordinator.

Thesis Defense – The thesis defense will be scheduled for the second semester in the second year. Students should note the thesis submission deadlines provided by Office of Graduate and Professional Education and ensure enough time is allotted between the submission deadline and the thesis defense to make appropriate changes and obtain signature pages. The University Thesis and Dissertation Manual must be followed.

The student must submit their thesis to the thesis committee two weeks before the thesis defense date. Within one week of the thesis defense, the thesis committee must submit the Results of the MS Defense form to bioinformatics@dbi.udel.edu. The original will remain in the student’s file.

• Computational Sciences
• Life Science