In order to keep pace with one of the fastest growing fields in the country, the B.S. in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BINF) consists of a roughly equal amount of coursework in life sciences, computer science, and mathematics. By developing skills across several disciplines, students acquire the knowledge that allows them to access, manipulate, and understand the wealth of biological and biomedical data now emerging from new technologies relating to genes, genomes, and the molecules they produce. In addition, students will learn new methods in AI, machine learning, and systems biology to model, predict, and manipulate biological mechanisms, from gene regulatory networks to human health.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology graduates have excellent background for employment in industry, government, and academics. Students are especially encouraged to seek some form of graduate study beyond the B.S., in order to focus their broad skills base into a specific area of expertise that prepares them for research careers in one of these domains.
NOTE: This is not a complete list of requirements. See the UMBC Undergraduate Catalog for the full listing of requirements for this program. The below list references the program requirements for students starting at UMBC in Fall 2026 onward. Please speak to your advisor and review your Degree Audit to ensure you are meeting your graduation requirements.
Download the B.S. in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Worksheet from the Forms & Links Page
Required courses (85-87 CREDITS)
Biology (22 credits)
- BIOL 140 Foundations of Biology: Ecology and Evolution
- BIOL 141 Foundations of Biology: Cells, Energy, Organisms
- BIOL 302 Molecular and General Genetics
- BIOL 303 Cell Biology
- BIOL 300L Experimental Biology Laboratory
- BIOL 430 Biological Chemistry
Chemistry (13 credits)
- CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I
- CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II
- CHEM 102L Introductory Chemistry Lab I
- CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry I
Physics, Mathematics, and Statistics (19 credits)
- PHYS 111 Basic Physics I
- MATH 151 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I
- MATH 152 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II
- MATH 221 Introduction to Linear Algebra
- STAT 350 Statistics with Applications in the Biological Sciences
Computer Science (17 credits)
- CMSC 201 Computer Science I
- CMSC 202 Computer Science II
- CMSC 203 Discrete Structures
- CMSC 341 Data Structures
- CMSC 461 Database Management Systems
Bioinformatics Core (8 credits)
- BIOL 415 System Biology
- BIOL 416 Bioinformatics
Electives (6-8 credits)
- One course from List A Electives: BIOL and CHEM 4xx lecture courses of 3 or 4 credits approved by a BINF advisor (see catalog).
- One course from List B Electives: CMSC, IS, MATH, and STAT 4xx lecture courses of 3 or 4 credits approved by a BINF advisor (see catalog).
Page updated May 2026