Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics, Minor College of Biological Sciences
The interdisciplinary minor in Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics is an integrative program that introduces students to the quantitative and computational approaches that are redefining all disciplines in the biological sciences, from molecular and cell biology, through genetics and physiology, to ecology and evolutionary biology. Students in this minor will learn research tools that apply mathematical and computational methods, increase their insight into the strengths and limitations of quantitative approaches, and develop the interdisciplinary perspective that is now the foundation of modern biological research and training.
The minor in Quantitative Biology & Bioinformatics is open to all undergraduates regardless of major and is sponsored by the College of Biological Sciences.
Faculty Advisor
Mark Goldman, Ph.D.
Advising
Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) in 1023 Katherine Esau Science Hall; 530-752-0410
Only one course used to satisfy a requirement for the minor may be applied toward a student’s major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| Programming | ||
| Choose one: | 0-4 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
or ECS 032AV | Introduction to Programming | |
| Programming & Problem Solving | ||
OR the equivalent. | ||
The programming requirement may be satisfied by previous experience and therefore may not entail college course credit. Please see your minor advisor for this determination and its possible impact on your unit requirements for the minor. | ||
| Quantitative Biology | ||
| BIS/MAT 107 | Probability & Stochastic Processes with Applications to Biology 1 | 4 |
| or MAT 124 | Mathematical Biology | |
| NOTE: BIS 107 (same as MAT 107) has a prerequisite of BIS 027A/MAT 027A (preferred) or MAT 022A; MAT 124 has a prerequisite of MAT 027A & MAT 027B (preferred) or MAT 022A & MAT 022B. | ||
| Bioinformatics | ||
| Choose one: | 4-5 | |
| Applied Bioinformatics | ||
or ECS 124 | Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics | |
or ECS 129 | Computational Structural Bioinformatics | |
OR | ||
| Genomics Laboratory | ||
| Core Courses Subtotal | 8-13 | |
| Quantitative & Computational Preparation | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Probability & Stochastic Processes with Applications to Biology 1 | ||
| Probability & Data Science for Biomedical Engineers | ||
| Applied Machine Learning for Non-Majors | ||
| Databases for Non-Majors | ||
| Algorithms for Data Science | ||
| Algorithm Design & Analysis | ||
| Scientific Computation | ||
| Scripting Languages & Their Applications | ||
| Database Systems | ||
| Machine Learning | ||
| Numerical Analysis | ||
| Numerical Analysis in Solution of Equations | ||
| Numerical Analysis in Differential Equations | ||
| Probability | ||
| Advanced Applied Statistics for the Biological Sciences | ||
| Applied Statistical Methods: Regression Analysis | ||
| Mathematical Statistics: Brief Course | ||
| Introduction to Probability Theory | ||
| Fundamentals of Statistical Data Science | ||
| NOTE: BIS 107 (same as MAT 107) has a prerequisite of BIS 027A/MAT 027A (preferred) or MAT 022A. | ||
| Quantitative & Computational Preparation Subtotal | 4 | |
| Restricted Electives | ||
| Complete two or more from the following list to achieve a total of 18-26 units: | 5-10 | |
| Genomics Laboratory | ||
| Comparative Genomics | ||
| Functional Genomics | ||
| Cellular Dynamics | ||
| Protein Engineering | ||
| Cell & Tissue Mechanics | ||
| Biomolecular Systems Engineering: Synthetic Biology | ||
| Introduction to the Biophysics of Molecules & Cells | ||
| Bioelectricity, Biomechanics, & Signaling Systems | ||
| Applied Bioinformatics | ||
| Theory & Practice of Bioinformatics 2 | ||
| Computational Structural Bioinformatics 2 | ||
| Population Ecology | ||
or WFC 122 | Population Dynamics & Estimation | |
| Population & Quantitative Genetics | ||
| Phylogeny, Speciation & Macroevolution | ||
| Community Ecology | ||
| Computational Genetics | ||
| Microbial Diversity (Discontinued for fall 2026) ** | ||
or MMG 180 | Microbial Diversity | |
| Behavior & Analysis of Enzyme & Receptor Systems | ||
| Cell & Molecular Biophysics | ||
| Principles of Genomics | ||
| Comparative Biomechanics | ||
| Neural Networks & Machine Learning in Biology | ||
| Computational Neuroscience | ||
| Systems Biology: From Biological Circuits to Biological Systems | ||
| Restricted Electives Subtotal | 5-10 | |
| Total Units | 18-26 | |
- 1
-
BIS 107 (same as MAT 107) can only be used to fulfill either the Quantitative Biology Core requirement or the Quantitative & Computational Preparation requirement, not both.
- 2
ECS 124 and ECS 129 can only be used to fulfill either the Bioinformatics Core requirement or be used as a restricted elective, not both.
- **
Course(s) discontinued; see your advisor for course options.