Turn Data Into Discovery with the Bioinformatics Minor
The Microbiology & Cell Science Department offers an undergraduate minor in Bioinformatics for students majoring in any biology-related discipline, including Microbiology, Biology, and Biochemistry. Bioinformatics, broadly defined as the use of computational tools to answer biological questions, has become essential to modern biological research. Today, nearly every active research program relies on bioinformatic analysis to interpret data and achieve meaningful results. Yet many undergraduate programs do not integrate these methods, leaving students without the technical skills needed to excel in cutting-edge biology and microbiology research. The Bioinformatics Minor addresses this gap by providing critical training for the next generation of biological scientists.
What You Will Gain in the Bioinformatics Minor
- Advanced coursework to develop practical bioinformatics skills
- Hands-on experience applying computational tools to solve real-world research problems
- Mentorship and career guidance tailored to the biological sciences
- A collaborative community of peers learning and applying bioinformatics in diverse research areas
This minor equips students with the integrative technical expertise necessary to excel in graduate programs, professional school, or careers in microbiology, biotechnology, computational biology and life sciences. Completing the Bioinformatics Minor positions you as a future leader capable of bridging traditional biology with modern computational methods.
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BSC 4913 - Capstone Course Information/Application
To prepare for the capstone course, you should:
- Make sure you have completed 2 of the 3 courses required for the Bioinformatics Minor, earning a grade of B or better in each.
- Check the Course of Study dropdown above or the Bioinformatics Minor catalog website for the list of courses required for the minor.
- Identify a faculty research advisor or other suitable mentor within whose lab you will develop a bioinformatics research project that can be completed within 1 semester. Your faculty research advisor can come from any of the diverse research faculty at UF, so long as they are doing research in a biology-related discipline and agree to supervise your project.
- Develop an initial research project plan with your research advisor.
To apply for the capstone course:
- Fill out the following form to apply for the course:
- Bioinformatics Minor Capstone Course Registration
- Applications will be evaluated to ensure that project proposals meet the course requirements and that students meet the course prerequisites. Applications for Spring term are evaluated before the winter break, while applications for Fall term are evaluated before the summer break. You will be contacted about the status of your application after the evaluation period.
- Make sure you have completed 2 of the 3 courses required for the Bioinformatics Minor, earning a grade of B or better in each.