Minors

By completing requirements for minor programs, students enhance their undergraduate education and broaden their career options.

Bioinformatics Minor

A minor in bioinformatics could have a significant benefit for students who wish to major in a discipline other than bioinformatics but want to have documented achievement in this exciting, cutting-edge area. Students majoring in biological science, biochemistry, computer science, health science, medical technology, pharmacology and pharmacy would benefit from a minor program in bioinformatics. The course sequence will allow students to study both introductory courses and advanced courses in molecular biology, computer science, and advanced bioinformatics. We have designed the course sequence so that introductory courses are the prerequisites for the required advanced courses and that students can take any advanced (400-level) bioinformatics course that meets their particular area of interest. Students must complete a minimum of 18 credits of which at least 12 credits must be outside of the students major degree program.

Required Courses:

• BI 290 - Molecular Biology Credits: 3
  • Students may substitute Biochemistry courses CH 347/CH 348 or CH 341 and either CH 342 or CH 343 for the BI 290 Molecular Biology requirement.
• BI 425 - Bioinformatic Computing Credits: 3
• BI 450 - Bioinformatics I Credits: 3
• CS 201 - Computer Programming I Credits: 3
• ST 310 - Introduction to Biostatistics Credits: 3

Elective Courses (Complete 3 credits)

• BI 385 - Microbial Genomics Credits: 3
• BI 395 - Independent Study in Bioinformatics Credits: 1-3
• BI 451 - Bioinformatics II Credits: 3
• BI 465 - Microarray Technology Credits: 4
• BI 475 - Proteomics Credits: 3
• BI 495 - Directed Research in Bioinformatics Credits: 1-3

Computer Science Minor

The computer science minor instructs students in the use of popular packages, operating systems, and programming languages.

This program and these courses are organized around projects that reflect the real world and how computers are used in the world. This minor will help the student master key concepts and problem-solving techniques while creating documents (or computer programs) based on a mix of academic, business, and real-life situations. There are six courses after showing competency, for a total of 18 credits. Three of these courses are required, and three are electives.

Note: Please note, if a student has transfer credits he/she would like to apply toward the minor, department approval must be obtained. A student with transfer credits must take a minimum of 3 courses at USP for the minor.

Prerequisite Courses

• Competency in computer usage

Required Courses

• CS 201 - Computer Programming I Credits: 3
• CS 202 - Computer Programming II Credits: 3
• MA 314 - Discrete Mathematics Credits: 3

Elective Courses

• Other courses as approved by the department.
• CS 320 - Data Structures Credits: 3
• CS 322 - Assembly Language and Computer Architecture Credits: 3
• CS 324 - Database Design Credits: 3
• CS 326 - Analysis of Data Credits: 2
• CS 490 - Special Topics or Research in Computer Science Credits: 1–3
• MA 422 - Mathematical Modeling Credits: 3