1. BDS Curriculum

BDS Curriculum

Biological Data Sciences Four-year plan

Students in the BDS program receive a trans-disciplinary education and are encouraged to integrate knowledge and work with real-world data to learn critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.

In addition to core courses in the life and computer sciences, mathematics, and statistics, students can specialize in one of three options:

Genomics (GEN)

Ecology and Environmental Informatics (EEI)

Computational Biology (CB)

 

Overview of all BDS options

BDS participates in the Accelerated Master’s Platform in Statistics; see track II in the EEI and CB options.

Students can also pursue a minor in BDS.

BDS Advisor Appointment BDS Course Override

 

Core foundational courses

Discipline Course name / number / credits
Biological Sciences

5 classes; 19 credits
  • Principles of Biology: Cells / BI 221 / 4 credits
  • Principles of Biology: Organisms / BI 222 / 4 credits
  • Principles of Biology: Populations / BI 223 / 4 credits
  • Genetics / BI 311 / 4 credits
  • Evolution / BI 445 / 3 credits
Chemistry

1 class + lab; 5 credits
  • General Chemistry / CH 231, 261 (lab and lecture) / 5 credits
Mathematics

4 classes; 15 credits
  • Calculus / MTH 251 / 4 credits
  • Calculus / MTH 252 / 4 credits
  • Vector Calculus / MTH 254 / 4 credits
  • Linear Algebra I / MTH 341 / 3 credits
Statistics

3 classes; 12 credits
  • Intro Stats / ST 351 / 4 credits
  • Methods Data Analysis / ST 411 / 4 credits
  • Methods Data Analysis / ST 412 / 4 credits
Biological Data Sciences

7 classes; 16 credits
  • Critical Thinking / BDS 211 / 3 credits
  • Comp Approaches Biol Data / BDS 311 / 3 credits
  • Special Projects / BDS 420 / 1 credit
  • Case Studies of Biological Data / BDS 411^(WIC) / 3 credits
  • Capstone in BDS I / BDS 491 / 3 credits
  • Capstone in BDS II / BDS 492 / 3 credits
Experiential Learning
  • Independent projects (equivalent to at least 60 hrs work) / May be taken as BDS 401 or 403 or not for credit (as BDS 003 or BDS 004)