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M.S. in Computational Biology |
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Program Description
Admission Information
Orientation
Department Research Conference
Graduate
Course Requirements
Academic Year Employment and Research
Contact
FAQs for the M.S. in Computational Biology Program
M.S. in Computational Biology - Graduate Student Policy Handbook (pdf)
The Department of Biological
Sciences offers a program leading to the Master of Science in Computational
Biology for promising students who plan careers in this exciting new area.
Most applicants admitted to the program have earned an undergraduate degree
in biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, computer science or mathematics.
Carnegie Mellon University has an active research community in computational
biology and a strong tradition of interdisciplinary research in
the Department of Biological Sciences, which fosters an environment
rich in interactions and collaborations. Students are welcomed in laboratories
and facilities throughout both the department and the larger local scientific
community. This open and cooperative atmosphere offers exposure to state-of-the-art
techniques, access to specialized equipment, and the opportunity to attend
both organism- and technique-based regional group meetings, journal clubs,
special topic workshops and seminars by leading scientists.
Orientation
Matriculating students arrive at the Carnegie Mellon campus in
August to attend the University-wide orientation. The week before classes start, the Department of Biological Sciences holds its orientation,
which includes meeting the faculty and staff, course selection, tours of
the Mellon Institute, safety training and ethics discussions. The M.S. Program Advising Committee meets with each
student during orientation to formulate a course of studies and each semester
thereafter to assess the progress of the student.
Department Research
Conference
In early September, the Department of
Biological Sciences gathers for a conference at Camp Kon-O-Kwee, located
on 300 acres of beautiful fields and woodlands 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
Students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty discuss their research and enjoy recreational activities in a relaxed, pastoral setting. During this retreat, new graduate students have an opportunity to become well-acquainted with the department and learn in detail about the research interests of each laboratory. Faculty members and senior graduate students present informal talks, while other students present posters.
Graduate
Course Requirements
The M.S. in Computational Biology program has a low student-to-faculty
ratio to ensure that each student receives individual attention and advising.
Together with the M.S. Program Advising Committee, each student designs a unique schedule
of research and coursework to address specific needs and goals. Students may attend the Departmental Research Seminar and participate in the weekly Journal
Club, series that comprise a variety of presentations by outside scientists, Carnegie Mellon faculty and students, permitting a penetrating
look at varied scientific disciplines and contemporary investigative approaches.
Students also attend various informal seminars whose topics range from
scientific integrity and ethics to professional development.
Generally, students enroll in three or four courses per semester,
and are required to maintain a minimum quality point average (QPA) of
3.0 and must complete at least 99 units of coursework taken for
a letter grade (not pass/fail). A sample
curriculum and sample
full-time schedules are available.
- Students in the M.S. program must be enrolled full-time,
which corresponds to a minimum of 36 units per semester.
- A minimum of 36 units of graduate courses (700 level or above) are required beyond the Core Courses (03-510
and 09-560 are also acceptable).
- Up to 27 units may be in undergraduate courses, which must be at the 200 level or above, and
may not include a
course equivalent to one previously required to complete a degree at any
other institution.
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Subject to the approval of the M.S. Program Advising Committee, relevant courses in other departments or at the University of Pittsburgh
(through cross-registration) may be taken for credit toward the
99 unit total.
- No grade lower than C shall be used for credit. The average
grade of 99 units must be at least
B.
- M.S. students who are interested in research can take 03-700 (M.S. Research). At
least 24 units must be taken in order for the research units to count toward
the 99-unit total. Typically, students contact faculty to learn about available research opportunities.
Academic Year Employment in Research
Students are allowed to work for pay on projects separate from their research-for-credit (03-700) projects, provided academic progress is not compromised. For students who desire to earn wages, there are limited employment opportunities in faculty research groups. Students are responsible for seeking out such opportunities. It is strongly advised that students wait until the second semester to begin work on a paid research project.
The number of hours worked for pay will not exceed 12 hours per week; the pay scale will ordinarily range from $10 to $15 per hour.
M.S. students are not eligible for teaching assistantships.
Contact:
V. Emily Stark, M.S.
vestark@andrew.cmu.edu
412-268-3012
Application Information
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