Program Faculty
Department Chair
Dr. Paul Wang,
Professor, Department of Computer Science
Program Coordinator
Dr. Abdollah Dehzangi,
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Office Location: McMechen 620
Phone: 443-885-1730
Email: Abdollah.Dehzangi@morgan.edu
Program Faculty
Dr. Paul Wang,
Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Md Mahmudur Rahman,
Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Abdollah Dehzangi,
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Asamoah Nkwanta
Professor, Department of Mathematics
Dr. James Wachira
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
Dr. Farin Kamangar,
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. Douglas Dluzen
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Dr. Monir Sharker
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Edward Dillon,
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Monireh Dabaghchian,
Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Dr. Mingchao Cai,
Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Elisabeth Kemajou-Brown
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Najat Ziyadi,
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Xuming Xie,
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics
Dr. Yuejin Li,
Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
Dr. Pumtiwitt McCarthy,
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
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, computer visualization, computational biology, computational mathematics, and database management. Graduates are well prepared for careers in academia as well as the biotechnology, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical and drug design industries.
The M.S. in Bioinformatics curriculum offers coursework in computational biology methods, programming, and biostatistics. The Program’s electives offer students the flexibility to specialize and build broader knowledge in both the life sciences and computer sciences. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will have a solid, experience-based foundation to gain a competitive edge in this highly rewarding, high-demand field.
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, and 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 submit an acceptably written thesis.
Admission
The current admission requirements of the M.S. in Bioinformatics Program are as follows:
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Degree: a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, preferably in bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, statistics, or science (biology, chemistry, physics).
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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.
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Letters of Recommendation (3)
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Personal Statement
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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 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 requirement, such as language or internship, that must be completed prior to 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 with 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. Thesis has to be presented to the Thesis Committee and successfully defended at the Thesis defense open to public. Thesis defense must be announced to the SCMNS community at least 5 working days in advance according the SCMNS thesis/dissertation approval process.
Program Course Requirements
MS Bioinformatics (30 Credit Hours)
Core Courses: 18 Credit Hours:
BIOI 511 Bioinformatics I 3
BIOI 512 Bioinformatics II 3
BIOI 513 Bioinformatics III 3
BIOI 521 Bioinformatics Tools and Databases 3
BIOI 531 BioProgramming 3
MATH 631 Biostatistics 3
Elective Courses: 6 Credit Hours:
ELECTIVE 3
ELECT IVE 3
* NOTE: Any Graduate 5xx/6xx course related to the student thesis research for which prerequisites have been completed can be selected as an elective course. The elective course selection should be the result of the student and her/his academic or research advisor mutual agreement.
Research and Seminar Courses: 6 Credit Hours:
BIOI 591 Current Topics in Bioinformatics 3
BIOI 797/799 Thesis Guidance / Thesis Defense 3/9**
** NOTE: Upon achieving Master’s Candidacy, the student will continuously register in Fall and Spring terms for XXXX 797 (Thesis Guidance) until the Master’s Thesis is completed and submitted to the School of Graduate Studies for review. The course is used only when the curriculum is near completion, and the student is completing the research and writing of the thesis. The course registration maintains the student status as a matriculated, full-time student (student is registered for 3 credit hours and the system reports a full-time 9 credit hour load).
After the Intent to Defend the Master’s Thesis form has been accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, this course registration will be changed to XXXX 799 (Thesis Defense) for the given semester and count for 3 credit hours of curricular coursework (XXXX 799 will also count for 9 credit hours of load). Other courses cannot be substituted for XXXX 797 (Thesis Guidance). The only eligible grade for XXXX 797 (Thesis Guidance) is the grade of “S” and the only acceptable grade for XXXX 799 (Thesis Defense) is “P/F” (Pass/Fail).
Total: 30 Credit Hours