Three students, wearing lab coats, working in a computational biology laboratory

Computational Biology—BS

Work With Biological Information That is Revolutionizing Society

Rapid developments in genomic and molecular research + extreme advances in information technologies = a multitude of biological information . . . and the need for experts to compute, process, model, simulate, and analyze it.

Enter computational biology, a fusion of biology and IT. Specialists in this field use computational analyses to study the vast information provided by modern molecular biology—such as DNA sequences, which are growing at an unprecedented rate. With a Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology, you'll be prepared to enter a unique and cutting-edge field of biology/medicine and analyze data that may support the creation of new pharmaceuticals, treatments for life-altering diseases, improvements in crop production, or protection of the environment.

There's a benefit to studying computational biology at a technological university!

35%
of undergraduates do research with faculty every year
#1
Best Value College in Michigan (niche.com, 2024)

Tomorrow Needs Innovative Computational Biologists

As the world of biological data expands, so does the need for talented mathematicians and statisticians who understand biological information, genomes, and molecules. A degree in computational biology opens doors—you'll have opportunities to solve real-world problems in a diverse range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, academia, government, and more. Blend your biology skills with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Career Opportunities for Computational Biology Majors

Computational biology majors are in demand, especially as healthcare and research incorporates tools like AI. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 23% employment growth between 2022 and 2032 for computer and information research scientists. Plus, computational biologists work in some of the best paying and most satisfying jobs. Data Scientist (#8) and Statistician (#12) are among the 100 Best Jobs according to U.S. News & World Report in August 2024. Some of the jobs open to you with a BS in Computational Biology:

Genotyping
Genomic Sequence Analysis
Sequence Assembly
Database Administration
Pharmacogenomics

Michigan Tech Computational Biology Majors Have Been Hired By

The growing list of companies that have hired Michigan Tech computational biology graduates includes:

Douglas Corporation
Empirical Bioscience
MDI Biological Laboratory
National Marrow Donor Program

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying computational biology at Michigan's flagship technological university.

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"It's a little bit of math, it's a little bit of science, and it's a lot of numbers. Essentially it takes someone who really likes to learn. I have great mentors pushing me to learn more and more about what I like."Lucy Arbanes, computational biology

In computational biology, you think of a biological question you want to answer and see if you can figure it out by playing with data! You could end up researching cancer biology, developing new DNA sequencing and annotation algorithms, or mining the rapid influx of biological data.

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Emily Taylor '24

BS Computational Biology

Student Learning Goals

When you complete our bachelors of science computational biology degree, you can expect to achieve the following:

Integrate biological concepts and computer programming applicable to computational biology.
Apply the scientific method of investigation.
Have the ability to collate information from diverse sources.
Increase critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Be aware of the ethical and moral issues in their field.

Study Computational Biology at a Technological University

At Michigan Tech, you will build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. You'll learn and experience first-hand how biology is central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, environment and industry. With biology faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you'll use biology in the lab and present results in classrooms, research symposia, and scientific journals.

Get personalized attention: Our smaller department (labs average about 18 students) ensures you'll build valuable relationships with world-class professors. They can better help pair you with research opportunities that meet your needs and provide valuable experience.
Customize your biology education: At Michigan Tech, our programs span biological sciences, biochemistry and molecular biology (biology focus), computational biology, ecology and evolutionary biology, human biology, medical laboratory science, and nursing. That interdisciplinary approach gives you exposure to different areas of biology. Take classes across different specialties to tailor your degree to fit your individual pathway. Add a minor.
Engage in biological science research: Become involved in a research project under the direction of a faculty member. Whether you are planning to go to graduate school or pursue a career upon graduation, one of the factors that often gives our students an edge is the opportunity to engage in research as an undergraduate student and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art research instrumentation. A majority of our students conduct undergraduate research with faculty members.
Use cutting-edge technology: Technology in undergraduate labs include DNA sequencers; up-to-date, powerful computers capable of running Linux, Unix, and Windows servers for large dataset processing; and more.
Get involved: Utilize your interest in biology by getting involved with the Enterprise Program—teams of undergraduate students working on real-world products and research for industry. Or get involved with any number of professional organizations—Biochemistry Club; Plant and Gardening Club; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Club;Pre-Health Association; Association of Students for People, Environments, and Nature; and more.

Undergraduate Majors in Biological Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Specialize in a secondary discipline outside of or complementary to your major, expand your knowledge base, and boost your potential career options with these nine biology-centric minors. A minor in a pre-professional program such as Pre-Law or Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school and future careers in law and medicine. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Bioprocess Engineering
Ecology
Fish Biology
Microbiology
Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Plant Biotechnology
Plant Sciences

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your biology skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

"My favorite parts of the Bio Sci department were definitely the people. The professors and graduate students that I got to work with were all very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects, and my academic advisor was always very helpful and inviting."

Charlotte Hildebrandt '22

BS Bioinformatics (now called Computational Biology)