Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines biology, computer science, statistics, and data science to analyze complex biological data. The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate at Rockhurst University provides interdisciplinary training that prepares students to work with genomic, biomedical, and biotechnology datasets using modern computational and quantitative methods.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics is a 15-credit interdisciplinary program that prepares students to analyze and interpret complex biological and biomedical data. The curriculum integrates biology, chemistry, mathematics, and analytics, equipping students with the computational, statistical, and quantitative skills required in modern life-science research.
Rapid advances in genomics, biotechnology, and health care are producing massive biological datasets. Organizations increasingly need professionals who can combine scientific knowledge with data analysis, statistical programming, and computational modeling to translate biological data into meaningful insights.
Bioinformatics Track Options
The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate is a flexible certificate program that can be completed alongside majors in biology, chemistry, analytics, mathematics, or related STEM fields.
Students choose from two academic tracks designed to complement their primary major.
Science-Focused Track
Designed for students majoring in biology or chemistry, this track develops foundational skills in bioinformatics, statistics, and computational analysis used in modern biological research.
Analytics-Focused Track
Designed for students in analytics, mathematics, data science, or related quantitative fields, this track emphasizes applying data science methods to genomic, biological, and health-related datasets.
Through hands-on learning, students work with real-world datasets, statistical programming tools, and mathematical models used in contemporary biomedical research.
Student and Program Outcomes
Students completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics will be able to:
- Analyze biological datasets, including genomic, biochemical, and population-level data
- Apply statistical and computational techniques to address biological research questions
- Use mathematical modeling and quantitative reasoning to explore biological systems
- Integrate knowledge from biological sciences and data analytics to interpret research findings
- Communicate technical results clearly to both scientific and non-technical audiences
Graduates of the certificate program will demonstrate interdisciplinary competency in biological science, quantitative analysis, and computational methods. The credential strengthens preparation for both entry-level positions involving biological data analysis and graduate study in data-intensive life science fields.
Students completing the program will graduate with practical experience in biological data interpretation, statistical computing, and interdisciplinary collaboration. These skills support career flexibility across biotechnology, health care analytics, pharmaceutical research, and scientific computing environments.
Students will be prepared to enter graduate programs or entry-level research support roles such as bioinformatics analyst, genomic data analyst, biostatistics assistant, health care data analyst, computational biologist, biomedical data scientist, or biotech data analyst.
Example Courses in the Bioinformatics Certificate Program
The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate is part of both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Technology. While a full course catalog for the program will be introduced at a later date, projected classes include:
Science-focused Track
- BL 4600 – Biotechnology: Introduction to modern laboratory and analytical techniques used in molecular biology and biotechnology.
- BIA 3200 – Fundamentals of Data Mining: Methods for discovering patterns and insights from large datasets using data mining and analytics techniques.
- CH 4440 – Applied Methods of Instrumental Chemistry: Study of modern analytical instrumentation and laboratory techniques used to measure and characterize chemical and biochemical compounds.
Analytics-focused Track
- BL 3620 – Genetics: Core principles of heredity, gene expression, and genomic analysis that provide biological context for interpreting large-scale biological datasets.
- MT 4420 – Statistical Learning: Statistical and machine-learning approaches used to analyze complex datasets, including applications in biological and biomedical research.
- BL 3991 – Research Experience in Biological Sciences: Students apply quantitative and analytical methods to real biological or biomedical research questions while developing skills in data analysis, scientific investigation, and research communication.
Additional Degree Info
Students are encouraged to pursue a mentored research experience in bioinformatics, either with an RU faculty member or through an external research internship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bioinformatics certificate?
A bioinformatics certificate provides training in analyzing biological data using computational and statistical methods.
What can you do with a bioinformatics certificate?
Graduates work in biotechnology, health data analytics, genomic research and biomedical data science.
Who should study bioinformatics?
Students interested in biology, data science, mathematics or computational research.
How long does it take to complete a bioinformatics certificate?
The Rockhurst Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate is a 15-credit program that can typically be completed alongside a student’s major within one to two academic years.
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