bioinformatics phd programs usa

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Bioinformatics

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An all-encompassing, highly interdisciplinary field

Program Overview

The University of Michigan  Bioinformatics Graduate Program builds a strong foundation for Master’s and PhD students through comprehensive course offering, research training and mentoring.

Students in our program take courses in advanced math, modeling, statistics, computer programming, machine learning, informatics, comprehensive courses in introductory biology, genomics, proteomics, clinical informatics, environmental health, and much more. They are encouraged to take advantage of the enormous research and teaching resources across U-M.

Our students have an abundance of research opportunities in many subject areas under the mentorship of our 130 affiliated faculty members of the Center for Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics ( CCMB ). These faculty are from U-M Medical School, College of Engineering, College of Literature, Arts and Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Nursing, and School of Information. 

In 2023, the Bioinformatics Graduate Program maintains a student body of 87 PhD students, and over 120 Master's students. They are mentored by the 44 DCMB faculty and the 130 CCMB faculty. Faculty members with biological and more quantitative expertise are both well represented.

The Bioinformatics Graduate Program was created in 1999 and is housed in the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics ( DCMB ). 

Apply through our PIBS application

Bioinformatics offers an extensive range of research opportunities, from applications for clinical medical problems and specific diseases to computational work on synthetic biological systems. There are very active groups in:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning
• Genomics, regulatory genomics and epigenomics
• Protein structure, proteomics, and alternative splicing
• Multi-“omics” integrative bioinformatics
• Systems biology and networks analysis
• Biomedical data science, translational bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics
• Methodological development in computational biology
• Applications to complex genetic diseases
• 4D Nucleome
• Single Cell Analysis
• Signal/Image Processing and Machine Learning

Bioinformatics has had NIH supported training grants since 2005. Our students are eligible for a wide range of other training grant support related to more specific areas of research, such as genomics or cancer proteomics.

Students are required to take courses in each of the following areas:

• Introductory Bioinformatics
• Computing & Informatics
• Probability & Statistics
• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics 602 (Journal Club) taken once in the first year.
• Bioinformatics 603 (Journal Club) taken once; students present papers for discussion
• Research Responsibility and Ethics course (PIBS 503)
• One Advanced Bioinformatics course offered or cross-listed by the Bioinformatics Graduate Program
• One additional Advanced Bioinformatics course in any program

Details about courses available in each of these areas can be found on the department website . Courses may be offered by Bioinformatics or other units.

Attendance at weekly seminars is also expected. Offered seminars include a weekly series of invited guest speakers, “Tools & Tech” presentations that highlight a tool or technology, either under development or in current use, and BISTRO, a lively seminar where students present their ongoing research.

Preliminary Examination

Students take a preliminary exam in their second year, usually at the end of the 3rd or 4th term. The preliminary exam should show both creativity and skill, and should not be identical to the student’s thesis work. The aims of the examination are two-fold. The first aim is to demonstrate that students have developed the ability to analyze a scientific problem and develop appropriate strategies to carry out a research plan. The second aim is to demonstrate that students have enough Bioinformatics knowledge needed to carry out their thesis research. Students sometimes develop their prelim proposals into a paper and/or a thesis chapter later.

Teaching Requirement

Teaching, in Bioinformatics or in other departments, is encouraged and expected for at least one term from most Bioinformatics students. Individual circumstances such as English language ability, interest, and funding situation of the mentor are considered.

Expected Length of Program

The expected time to PhD graduation is 5 to 6 years.

Approximately 8-15 new students join the PhD program each year. Each term, contact between faculty and students is encouraged through research events & social gatherings. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, students are encouraged to develop and pursue their own research interests. In an effort to support students’ academic growth, the department and other units (such as Rackham Graduate School) offer funding to assist students with conference participation or workshop attendance.

Approximately 50% of program alumni choose academia, while others with go into industry with many working at biotechnology companies. Aware of this, current students are provided opportunities to meet with guest seminar speakers or visitors from industry. In addition, outside internships are encouraged if related to a student’s research as they have proven to be valuable experiences.

The program supports student-led initiatives that are focused on building community such as student organized social activities, a pre-Thanksgiving dinner, and group run in the local marathon. Separately, Bioinformatics coordinates an annual off-site weekend retreat and an annual picnic.

DCMB welcomes and supports several  student organizations :

• The Bioinformatics Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
• The Bioinformatics Black Student Union (BBSU)
• The Data Analysis Networking Group (DANG!)
• DCMB Girls Who Code Club

Alumni from the Bioinformatics Graduate Program pursue successful careers in academia, biotechnology and biomedical research in industry and government. Most of them are employed immediately after graduation.

Learn more about the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics.

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• Computational Biology & Biomedical Informatics (PhD Program)

Computational biology and biomedical Informatics (CB&B) is a rapidly developing multidisciplinary field. The systematic acquisition of data made possible by genomics and proteomics technologies has created a tremendous gap between available data and their biological interpretation. Given the rate of data generation, it is well recognized that this gap will not be closed with direct individual experimentation. Computational and theoretical approaches to understanding biological systems provide an essential vehicle to help close this gap. These activities include computational modeling of biological processes, computational management of large-scale projects, database development and data mining, algorithm development, and high-performance computing, as well as statistical and mathematical analyses.

• Programs of Study
• PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
• Yale Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics
• Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics

Mark Gerstein

Director of Graduate Studies

• [email protected]

Steven Kleinstein

Samantha Naziri

Departmental Registrar

• [email protected]

Admission Requirements

Standardized testing requirements.

GRE is not accepted.

English Language Requirement

TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English. BBS requires a score of at least 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer-based exam, and 100 on the internet-based exam. Please take the test no later than November and no earlier than 24 months prior to submitting your application. Use institution code 3987 when reporting your scores; you may enter any department code.

You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.

Admission Information

The PhD program in Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics participates in the Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) , and applicants interested in pursuing a degree in cell biology should apply to the Computational Biology and Biomedical Informatics Track within BBS.

Academic Information

Program Advising Guidelines

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Academic Resources

Academic calendar.

The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.

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Registration Information and Dates

https://registration.yale.edu/

Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.

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Phd stipend & funding.

PhD students at Yale are normally fully-funded. During their programs, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.

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Alumni Insights

Below you will find alumni placement data for our departments and programs.