This module concentrates on the computational aspects of bioinformatics, while at the same time providing students with enough background in the biosciences to appreciate the contexts in which computation is applied. The Honours Specialization in Bioinformatics leads to a degree that is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Council, the academic arm of the Canadian Information Processing Society, under its interdisciplinary program criteria.
The Honours Specialization in Bioinformatics can be completed only within BSc (Hons) degrees.
Admission Requirements for students entering the module in September 2024 or prior:
Completion of first-year requirements with no failures. Students must have an average of at least 70% in 4.0 principal courses, with no mark in these principal courses below 60%, including:
Admission Requirements for students entering the module in September 2025 or later:
Completion of first-year requirements with no failures. Students must complete the following courses with an average of at least 70%, with no individual mark below 60%:
2.0 courses: Biology 1001A, Biology 1002B, Chemistry 1301A/B, Chemistry 1302A/B;
0.5 course: Computer Science 1020A/B (with a mark of at least 60%);
0.5 course from: Computer Science 1025A/B, Computer Science 1026A/B, Data Science 1200A/B, Engineering Science 1036A/B (in each case with a mark of at least 65%);
0.5 course from: Computer Science 1027A/B, Computer Science 1037A/B (in each case with a mark of at least 65%);
1.0 course* from: Applied Mathematics 1201A/B, Calculus 1000A/B, Calculus 1301A/B, Calculus 1500A/B, Calculus 1501A/B, Mathematics 1600A/B, Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1411A/B, Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1412A/B, Numerical and Mathematical Methods 1414A/B; or the former Applied Mathematics 1411A/B, the former Applied Mathematics 1412A/B, the former Applied Mathematics 1414A/B, the former Applied Mathematics 1413.
Note: Biology 1201A with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1001A, and Biology 1202B with a mark of at least 70% may be used in place of Biology 1002B. Some Computer Science electives (e.g., Computer Science 3388A/B, Computer Science 4442A/B, and Computer Science 4482A/B) require Mathematics 1600A/B as a pre-requisite.
*Students must complete the 1.0 course in mathematics by the end of Term 1 in Year 2.
Students taking this module must see a Departmental Counsellor in Computer Science for advice concerning the order in which courses have to be taken.
Module
12.0 courses:
1.0 course: Biochemistry 2280A, Biology 2581A/B.
0.5 course: Chemistry 2213A/B.
6.0 courses: Computer Science 2208A/B, Computer Science 2209A/B, Computer Science 2210A/B, Computer Science 2211A/B, Computer Science 2212A/B/Y, Computer Science 3305A/B, Computer Science 3319A/B, Computer Science 3331A/B, Computer Science 3340A/B, Computer Science 4460Z, Computer Science 4463A/B, the former Computer Science 4462A/B.
0.5 course from: Computer Science 2214A/B, Mathematics 2155F/G.
0.5 course from: Computer Science 3307A/B/Y, Computer Science 3346A/B.
0.5 course from: Computer Science 4461A/B.
0.5 course from: Biology 2290F/G, Chemistry 2223B.
0.5 course from: Biochemistry 3381A, Biology 3592A/B, Biology 3593A/B.
1.0 course from: Computer Science 4411A/B, Computer Science 4416A/B, Computer Science 4417A/B, Computer Science 4418A/B, Computer Science 4445A/B, the former Computer Science 4412A/B, the former Computer Science 4432A/B.
0.5 additional course from: Data Science 3000A/B, Mathematics 2156A/B, Computer Science courses at the 3000 level or above.
0.5 course from: Statistical Sciences 2141A/B, Statistical Sciences 2244A/B or Statistical Sciences 2857A/B, Biology 2244A/B.
*Chemistry 2213A/B and Chemistry 2223B may be replaced in the module by Chemistry 2273A and Chemistry 2283G