Upon completion of the
Certificate program what credentials will I have?
You will be able to speak the languages of biology, computer and
information science, mathematics, and statistics. In addition
to your current technical background, you will have learned the
concepts and methods of:
Foundations
- substantive introduction to deficient areas needed for applications
and continued study
High throughput
data analysis - knowledge of gene expression
micro-arrays and biology databases
Computational
complexity - what makes some problems harder
than others
Modeling techniques
- choosing the right mathematical model for a problem
Statistical methods
- modern Bayesian analysis and computational techniques
Application programming
- complex software design and implementation
What kind of job can I get?
A growing need in biotechnology companies is for people who can
translate biological science into mathematics and computation and
mathematics and computation into biological science. A translator
is needed! You can be that translator with a career in computational
biology (also known as bioinformatics).Here are a few links to information
about employment opportunities and careers in computational biology.
CCB does not offer job placement services. Please contact UC Denver
Career Center.
You might also be interested in an internship or summer job; these
are coordinated by
Colorado
Alliance for Bioengineering.
How long will it take to get the Certificate?
A full time student can complete the required courses in one year.
Some will need more time, depending upon technical background.
The following sample schedule is feasible if you have the prerequisites and time.
| Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
BIOL 5099
MATH 5396 |
MATH 5610
CSC 5451 |
MATH or CSC 5840
- Start on your plan before May |
What if I do not have all of the prerequisite courses?
It is your responsibility to fulfill prerequisites, and further information
must be obtained from the departments, not from CCB.
(See
Important Notice below.)
All prerequisite courses are available
at UC Denver, and you can enroll in the Certificate program anytime
before
you register for your first course that will count towards it.
What if I have already taken the equivalent of a required course?
The CCB Director can authorize a substitute course that is in
keeping with the objectives of the Certificate.
Here is a list for you to consider
before speaking with your advisor.
Can I transfer credit?
No. Course credits cannot be transferred into the CCB Certificate program.
You must be enrolled in the Certificate program when you take the course.
Can I be in the Certificate program simultaneously with a degree program?
If so, can I count a course towards both?
Yes and yes! Once you are enrolled in the Certificate and a degree
program, credits earned in the scope of the Certificate program can
be counted towards degree requirements. Further, if you intend to
go for the M.S. degree, it benefits you to be in the Certificate
program simultaneously because you never know what the future might
bring, and you will not be able to earn the Certificate if you are
not enrolled in the program at the time you take the courses.
(See
Important Notice below.)
How does this relate to degree programs at CU?
The CCB Certificate course requirements comprise most of the core
requirements in the Computational Biology Option of the UCD M.S. in
Computer Science and the M.S. in Applied Mathematics. Once accepted
into Graduate School, you can count your courses for both the Certificate
and the M.S. Either M.S. degree satisfies the entry into the CU-HSC
Ph.D. in the Bioinformatics track. The M.S. in C.S. is sufficient
to enter the UC Denver Ph.D. in Computer Science & Information
Systems. The M.S. in Applied Mathematics is sufficient to enter
the UC Denver Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics.
