Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that blends the study of Computer Science, Biology, and Mathematics. Information related to genetics and genomics is interpreted, analyzed, stored, and retrieved in this field of study. To bring improvement in the quality of life, it is essential to understand the living species, their evolution, and how they function and interact. Understanding this information through computers that also involve calculation is what Bioinformatics encompasses.
The core subjects you need for pursuing a Bachelor’s in Bioinformatics:
Computers for: programming, Data mining, and analyzing the information
Biology for: fundamentals of biology, a study of living organisms
Students who have completed their 12th grade with a minimum of 50% with Science as their core subject can apply for a Bachelor’s in Bioinformatics. Some universities also offer this course in addition to biotechnology and informatics.
Specializations for BS Bioinformatics
With this course gaining popularity among students from science backgrounds, Bioinformatics has a few specializations. Students can choose them according to their expertise, intellect, and passion. For the Bachelor’s course, if you opt for Bioinformatics, you can specialize in Data mining, metabolic Computing, genetic circuits, and genomic architecture. Each of these specializations may entail research on the topic you have chosen. From opting to study machine learning to fundamentals of biology, some courses are common irrespective of the choice/specialization you are making.
Job Prospects for BS Bioinformatics
With the healthcare sector growing in each country, there are multiple opportunities for students right after completing their Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics. This is also because of increasing knowledge in the field of molecular biology that students want to study bioinformatics.
Moreover, with its amalgamation with technology and its being computer-driven, the employment scope has enhanced exponentially. Some of these titles that one can work with are mentioned below:
With the increasing vigilance about health and how the quality of life can be improved through changing genetics, numerous universities worldwide offer programs in Bioinformatics. Its augmenting awareness has given rise to the number of colleges offering this course worldwide. With countries/continents like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Europe being the hub for all educational courses, many tier-1 universities are offering this course. Moreover, the job market for bioinformatics courses is expected to grow up to 8% by 2026; currently, there are about 39,000 scientists in the country.
Let us take a look at the top universities for BS Bioinformatics in the countries mentioned above.
Unites States
Acing the technical field, the United States has a host of universities that offer tech-driven courses, and Bioinformatics is one of them. As a student, if this excites you, you must be ready to spend INR 15 Lac to 20 Lac as the cost of attendance which includes housing, meals, student life fee, books and supplies, personal expenses, and all other lab fees, etc. This will further vary depending upon the area, your choice of college, and the kind of accommodation.
You will be pleased to know the alumni from the following colleges contributing to this technology-driven life science field. Some notable alumni from the Department of Bioinformatics are listed below:
Maria Alexis – Computational Biologist II, 10x Genomics, Pleasanton. From MIT
Maulik Kamdar – Principal Data Scientist at Elsevier Health, Graduate Research from Stanford
The total duration of the Bachelor’s course in the United Kingdom is three years. Thus, it is a preferred destination for many students. With its cost of attendance ranging between INR 12 Lac to 18 Lac per annum, students equally enjoy the campus life and academics. Moreover, the UK offers great opportunities for research in the Bioinformatics field. Below mentioned are some vital names, alumni from the UK Universities:
Liliana Greger – Director of Bioinformatics at Amphista Therapeutics Limited from Cambridge University
The United Kingdom offers the following intake for international students:
September to December – Fall Intake
January to April – Winter Intake
May to August – Spring/Summer
Application Process:
Documents needed for the Bachelor’s in Bioinformatics are:
Transcripts, including high school, 12th grade, or any diploma.
All experience certificates (if you have done an internship)
English Proficiency Test ( IELTS, TOEFL)
Letters of Recommendation (Not all Universities require)
Canada
A beautiful country to begin your career as a Bachelor’s student, Canada offers a wide range of facilities. Depending upon what students intend to opt for, the living expense may range between 10 Lac to 23 Lac for students living on and off-campus.
Moreover, Canada has some renowned alumni in the field of Bioinformatics.
Dr. Monique Simair – an industry leader in the environmental consulting sector, completed her Bachelor of Science from the University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Ronald Steer – an internationally renowned researcher of the interactions between light and matter, completed their Bachelor’s from Saskatchewan.
There are two major intakes for Bachelor’s program.
Fall Intake: Begins in September and ends in early January. This is the primary intake where maximum applications are received.
Winter Intake: Begins in Mid January and ends in May.
Documents required for Bachelor’s degree are:
IELTS Score 6.5 band or TOEFL 86 score
Transcripts
Prior knowledge of Programming Language is recommended
Visa Documents
Statement of Intent
Resume
Letter of recommendations
Australia
Australia is a sought-after choice for many students, and hence the Island has many facilities for international students. The living expense in Australia ranges from AUD 8730 to AUD 18,600 Annually.
There are two major intakes for Australian Universities; however, other than the ones mentioned below, some Universities have September and November intakes too.
February
July
Application Process:
Following documents are mandatory during the application process. At the same time, Admissions essays are not required in all the universities for all the courses.
10th and 12th-grade Transcripts
English Proficiency Test (IELTS, TOEFL, C1, and C2 Proficiency)
Admission Essays
Resume
Letter of Recommendation
Europe
Places like France, Austria, Turkey, and Spain are some of the popular destinations for students. Depending upon your course and the place you are staying, your cost of attendance will vary. The cost of living in Austria is anywhere between 1500 to 1700 Euro, and in France can go up to 3800 Euros.
College Name
QS Subject Ranking 2022-23
Tuition Fee
(2022-23)
University of Applied Sciences Leiden (Netherlands)
# 67
EUR 1,105 (Annual)
Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne
# 23
CHF 780 (Annual)
Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)
# 171
EUR 1,000 (Annual)
Johannes Kepler University (Austria)
# 651
EUR 726.72 (Per semester)
ETH Zurich
# 6
CHF 730 (Per Semester)
Intake:
Fall Intake: Beginning in September, fall is the most preferred intake for students
Summer Intake: Begins in May
Winter Intake: Starts in January
Application Process:
Transcripts
IELTS/TOEFL and TOEIC for language proficiency
Admission Essays
Resume
Letter of Recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is research in Bioinformatics?
Research is pertinent in Bioinformatics as it is a research-based course. Most universities in the US and Canada provide research/Co-op opportunities to enhance involvement and, subsequently, more job opportunities.
How many specializations are there in Bioinformatics?
Based on the student’s choice and inclination, one can opt for a core Genetics course, Genomics, Data mining, and finally, computational activities. Each of these specializations includes different core courses and electives.
Are bioinformatics and Biomedical engineering same?
No, these are two various courses and require other interests. The former is to work in information related to molecular biology. In contrast, the latter includes working on equipment that is needed in day-to-day lives in hospitals and health care institutions.
Are there any financial aids and scholarships for this program?
Many colleges offer aid and grants for their undergraduate programs. The European colleges have a minimum fee for such programs as they contribute to society.
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