Students pursuing the M.S. degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology must complete a minimum of 33 credits of relevant work at the graduate level. These 33 credits must satisfy the 6-9 credit M.S. thesis or internship requirement, and the 24-27 credit coursework requirement. Coursework requirements include competency in each of the areas of biology, computer science, mathematics, and interdisciplinary studies in bioinformatics / computational biology, as well as more advanced courses and an ethics course.
The M.S. degree requirements have been designed to provide a comprehensive yet flexible program to students who are pursuing an M.S. degree exclusively, students who are pursuing a combined B.S./M.S. degree, and students who are pursuing a combined M.S. / Ph.D. degree.
Upon acceptance to the M.S. program, students will be assigned an academic advisor. In consultation with the academic advisor, the student must prepare a Plan of Study outlining the selections that the student will make to satisfy the M.S. degree requirements. This Plan of Study must then be approved by the Graduate Review Committee, which consists of faculty members from each of the three participating WPI departments.