Bioinformatics (MS), Program Information

Program Faculty

Department Chair

Dr. Paul Wang, 

Professor, Department of Computer Science

Program Coordinator

Dr. Roshan Paudel

Professor of Practice, Department of Computer Science

Phone: 443-885-3096

Email:  roshan.paudel@morgan.edu

Program Faculty

Dr. Paul Wang, 

Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Md Mahmudur Rahman, 

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Roshan Paudel, 

Professor of Practice, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Asamoah Nkwanta

Professor, Department of Mathematics

Dr. James Wachira

Associate Professor, Department of Biology

Dr. Gaston N’Guerekata,

Professor, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Eric Sakk, 

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Vojislav Stojkovic,

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Monireh Dabaghchian, 

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Mingchao Cai,

Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Najat Ziyadi, 

Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Xuming Xie,

Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics

Dr. Yuejin Li, 

Associate Professor, Department of Biology

Dr. Guobin Xu

Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Amjad Ali

professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Jamell Dacon

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Blessing Ojeme

Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science

Dr. Kofi Nyarko

Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Program Description

The explosive growth of information in the biological sciences has created a critical demand for professionals who can turn this data into useful knowledge. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Bioinformatics program at Morgan State University prepares such professionals with an interdisciplinary background blending biology and computer science. This Program provides students with a strong foundation in computer programming, biostatistics, scientific visualization, computational biology, computational mathematics, Genomics Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and database management systems. Graduates are well prepared for careers in academia and the biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical, and drug design industries.

The M.S. in Bioinformatics curriculum offers computational biology methods, programming, Data Science, Genomics, and biostatistics coursework. The Program’s electives allow students to specialize and build broader knowledge in life and computer sciences. Upon completion, graduates will have a solid, experience-based foundation to gain a competitive edge in this advantageous, high-demand field.

The program will have two options - thesis and non-thesis. In the non-thesis option, the students will be allowed to work on a capstone project instead of thesis research.

Program Objectives

The Master of Science in Bioinformatics degree program is a multidisciplinary degree program. It involves the required courses from Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics and the elective courses from Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Science, Health, Engineering, or Business. Bioinformatics integrates computer, mathematical, statistical, biological, chemical, physical, etc. methods to solve problems in bioinformatics. The program is designed to offer students the broad-based interdisciplinary research training necessary for professional work in industry and continued post-graduate training in the field.

General Requirements

Completion of the MS in Bioinformatics Program requires a total of 10 courses, equaling 30 academic credit hours, and submission of an acceptably written thesis or capstone project. 

Admission

The current admission requirements of the M.S. in Bioinformatics Program are as follows:

• Degree: a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, preferably in bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or science (biology, chemistry, physics).

• Grade Point Average (GPA): 3.0 or better to be considered for regular admission. Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and <3.0 may be considered for conditional admission. Post-bachelor's undergraduate credits will not be used to enhance GPA.

• Letters of Recommendation (3)

• Personal Statement

• Submission: an application and all required documents must be submitted to the Morgan State University School of Graduate Studies.

Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements and submitting all the required documents does not guarantee that an offer of admission will be made to the applicant.  The decision of the Program Admissions Committee involves a review and analysis of all the elements of the application as well as the availability of positions in the program.  The committee then recommends to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies that an offer of admission should be made based on that review.

Candidacy

Students achieve candidacy by successfully passing the qualifying examination (or Comprehensive Examination; Proposal Defense; etc.—to be decided by the program).  Programs must also identify any other requirements, such as language or internship, that must be completed before candidacy.

Students seeking additional skills, knowledge, or a certificate must seek approval through the program up to the School of Graduate Studies.  The request must be accompanied by a revised Plan of Study.

Thesis Completion

Thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for the academic degree Master of Science (MS). A thesis in Bioinformatics usually has theoretical, computational, experimental, and application components. Thesis reports on a research project or study, or an extended analysis of a topic. Thesis explains the purpose, the previous research literature on the topic of the study, the methods used and the findings of the project. A multiple chapter format is recommended:

a) an introduction, which introduces the research topic, the methodology, as well as its scope and significance. 

b) a literature review, reviewing relevant literature and showing how this has informed the research issue.  

c) a methodology chapter, explaining how the research has been designed and why the research methods/population/data collection and analysis being used have been chosen.

d) a findings chapter, outlining the findings of the research itself.

e) an analysis chapter, analyzing the findings.

f) a discussion chapter, discussing the findings in the context of the literature review and future work.

g) a conclusion

Thesis should be written according to the Morgan State University School of Graduate Studies Handbook and Style Guide for Dissertations and Theses. The Handbook includes specific format requirements for the School of Graduate Studies. The Thesis has to be presented to the Thesis Committee and successfully defended at the Thesis defense open to the public. Thesis defense must be announced to the SCMNS community at least 5 working days in advance according to the SCMNS thesis/dissertation approval process. 

Program Course Requirements

MS Bioinformatics 30 Credits

Suggested Curriculum Sequence

• Bioinformatics (MS), Curriculum Sequence