Bioinformatics Program Overview

Bioinformatics may well be the single fastest-growing specialty in the life sciences. The Human Genome Project spurred this already expanding field, and with the successful completion of the first draft of our genetic "blueprint," opportunities for scientists with the right mix of skills in biology, biochemistry, and computer science will continue to grow, with no limit in sight. Bioinformatics is truly the science of the coming century, and now is the ideal time for those whose interests span biology and computers to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.

The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia offers both bachelor's and master's degrees in Bioinformatics. If you complete the bachelor's degree at USP you can realistically expect to complete the requirements for a master's degree with only one additional year of study. Students whose background does not include extensive preparation in bioinformatics and/or computer science should anticipate a longer period of study.

USP's graduate program in Bioinformatics will prepare you to be a specialist involved in all aspects of collecting, assembling, and analyzing the staggering quantities of information that are being generated by the Human Genome Project, as well as genome projects for other animals, plants, and disease-causing microorganisms. The genetic information carried within us is the key to understanding how we function in health and what goes wrong when we suffer disease and why one patient will respond well to a certain drug while another will have debilitating side-effects. It also allows us to identify the best "molecular targets" to zero in on when designing agents to fight infecting bacteria or viruses.