Graduate and undergraduate education in computational biology, computational biophysics, and bioinformatics at Wake Forest University

A graduate or undergraduate focus in computational biology, computational biophysics, or bioinformatics provides a pathway for students who wish to pursue exciting academic careers in teaching and research or research careers in the biotechnology, biomedical, pharmaceutical, or affiliated industries. In addition, these programs of study provide a solid education for students wishing to pursue careers in the health-related professions, education, biotechnology business/management or law.

Undergraduate Education

Wake Forest University offers multiple opportunities for interdisciplinary education that combines the biological, computational, and physical sciences. Choices depend on the individual student's background and interest. For undergraduate students interested in bioinformatics and computational biology, we suggest a combined major/minor program. For example, students with a stronger math or computer science background might choose to major in math or computer science, and minor in biology, while students with a stronger background in biology might choose to major in biology and minor in math or computer science. For students interested in computational biophysics or biochemistry, the BA in physics or chemistry, with a concentration in biophysics/biochemistry would be more appropriate. For those students with a strong interest in mathematics and the bio- or physical sciences, the interdisciplinary mathematics major would be appropriate. Advisors in the corresponding departments can help students decide on a course of study while at Wake Forest.

Possible Majors and Interdisciplinary Concentrations in Computational Biosciences for Undergraduate Students

• Biology major with computer science minor: The major in biology and minor in computer science is the ideal option for students with a strong interest and background in biology, but who are interested in learning some aspects of computer science to aid in their understanding of bioinformatics and systems biology. This combination of major and minor can be started in either the freshman or sophomore year. Suggested courses and schedules can be found here.
• Computer Science major with biology minor: This option is for students with a strong interest in computer science who wish to apply that interest to problems in the biological sciences. This combination of major and minor can be started in either the freshman or sophomore year. Suggested courses and schedules can be found here.
• Interdisciplinary Mathematics program. The BS degree in interdisciplinary mathematics is designed specifically for students interested in combining mathematics with another discipline, which would include biology, biophysics or biochemistry. The program requires core courses in mathematics, a customized seven course program in mathematics and the second discipline, and a senior interdisciplinary project. Details about courses and requirements can be found here.
• Physics major with a biophysics concentration: The major in physics with additional courses in biology and chemistry is the ideal option for students with an interest in computational biophysics. The physics department offers a BA degree with a Concentration in Biophysics and Biochemistry that combines the BA in Physics with a core set of biology, biophysics and chemistry courses to provide a rigorous and quantitative training and focus with application to the biosciences. A physics student interested in medical school, or any of the other health professions, would naturally complete this track. A suggested course schedule can be found here. For students who desire a more focused physics education, a BS degree in physics with additional courses would be ideal. Either program would be enhanced by careful selection of computer science courses. The physics major advisors can assist a student in developing a program of study within the physics majors. For more information, please go to the physics department home page.
• Chemistry major with a biophysics/biochemistry concentration: The major in chemistry with additional courses in biology and physics is another option for students with an interest in computational biology/biophysics. The chemistry department also offers a BA degree with a Concentration in Biophysics and Biochemistry that combines the BA in Chemistry with a core set of biology, biophysics and physics courses to provide a rigorous and quantitative training and focus with application to the biosciences. A chemistry student interested in medical school, or any of the other health professions, could easily complete this track. For more information, please see the chemistry department home page.

Graduate programs that combine the biological sciences with the computational, mathematical, or physical sciences

Interdisciplinary research programs in the computational biosciences involve researchers from many departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, and Immunology & Microbiology. Thus, students have the opportunity to pursue an MS (Computer Science, Mathematics) or PhD (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Molecular Medicine, Immunology & Microbiology) degree and research opportunities are open in these departments to students from different backgrounds. For information on the individual graduate programs, please see the department web sites.

In addition, WFU offers the Graduate Certificate in Structural and Computational Biophysics, a rigorous, interdisciplinary program described below.

Graduate Certificate Program in Structural and Computational Biophysics

The Structural and Computational Biophysics (SCB) Graduate Certificate Program at WFU offers students the unique opportunity to combine training in experimental and computational sciences, related to biological or biomedical research. Students obtain an advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a traditional discipline (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Mathematics or Computer Science), along with a certificate which indicates broad, interdisciplinary training in the field of Structural and Computational Biophysics. Track faculty represent all six traditional disciplines and also include affiliated faculty from Biomedical Engineering. All SCB researchers actively participate in interdisciplinary research programs. For more information about research projects, please see the computational biosciences research web page and the SCB web page.

Hallmarks of the SCB Graduate Certificate Program:

• Preparation for exciting interdisciplinary careers in teaching and research, or in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry
• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, or MS in Computer Science or Mathematics or Biology
• Certificate in Structural and Computational Biophysics
• Interdisciplinary training with faculty and resources from each department and from the Center for Structural Biology at WFU
• Customized programs and coursework designed for students at one of the interfaces of Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics, with Biology or Biochemistry
• Institutional support of stipends, tuition costs and a laptop computer
• Access to the University's high performance computing facility, the DEAC cluster
• Interaction with a diversity of researchers in the monthly SCB Discussion group

Current courses in the computational biosciences, including bioinformatics, computational biology, and computational biophysics offered at Wake Forest University

A major focus in our courses is interdisciplinary interaction and productive communication. Participation in these courses prepares students to work in the diverse teams that are found in the workplace, what the NIH calls the "research teams of the future." Students enter these courses with a variety of different backgrounds. Prerequisites and course requirements differ depending on the student's background. These courses include a project that requires working as part of an interdisciplinary team. Experience gained in these courses is invaluable in preparing students to participate and play an active role in the diverse work groups and teams found in the workplace.

(The concept for the Bioinformatics and Computational Systems Biology courses was originally developed by D. John and J. Fetrow and described in Bioinformatics and Computing Curriculum: A New Model for Interdiciplinary Courses (SIGCSE'06). )

• Bioinformatics: This course introduces students to bioinformatics and computing techniques essential to current biomedical research. Topics may include genome and protein sequence and protein structure databases, algorithms for sequence and structure analysis, and computer architecture and environment considerations. Contacts: Professors Jacquelyn Fetrow or David John
• Computational Systems Biology: This course develops skills and concepts necessary for comprehension of modern systems biology research problems, including both biological and computational aspects. Topics may include microarrays, protein interaction networks, large-scale proteomics experiments and algorithms and computational approaches for modeling, storing, and analyzing the resulting data sets. Contacts: Professors William Turkett or Jacquelyn Fetrow
• Physics of Biological Macromolecules. This course focuses on the physics of biologically important molecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids. Topics covered include the physical basis of biomolecular structure, the energetics and statistical mechanics of biomolecular dynamics, and the electrostatics and solvation of biomolecules. Course requirements may include a field trip to a relevant conference, such as the Carolina Biophysics Symposium, and a discussion section with an appropriate Physics colloquium speaker. Designed to be accessible to students with biochemistry, chemistry, or physics backgrounds provided they have some exposure to thermodynamics and macromolecular structure. Contacts: Professors Freddie Salsbury Jr or Jacquelyn Fetrow
• Computational Biophysics Laboratory. This laboratory focuses on application of techniques in molecular modeling, including energy minimization, molecular dynamics simulation, and conformational analysis, to biological macromolecules. Contacts: Professors Jacquelyn Fetrow or Freddie Salsbury Jr