The Online Bioinformatics Certificate

The Bioinformatics Certificate program is designed to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing field. New and more powerful methods of probing biological systems create the need to process diverse information quickly and apply it widely. As more information about genomes, proteomes, and biological networks is added to our traditional stores of biological information, our need visualize, analyze, annotate and extract knowledge from information grows both specialized and more diverse. The Bioinformatics Certificate program is designed address this need.

Generally, the Bioinformatics Certificate requires these prerequisites:

  • 2 semesters or quarters of college level programming in an object-oriented language such as C, C++ or Java.
  • Four semesters or quarters of college level biology: this is generally equivalent to AP Biology plus 2 quarters or semester of cellular and molecular biology or genetics, or biochemistry. Textbooks at the level of "Molecular Biology of the Cell" by Alberts et. al. or "Genes" by Lewin or "Biochemistry" by Stryer or Lehninger are generally second year University biology classes. Some programs offer accelerated biology classes which require less time.
  • A Bachelors degree from an accredited institution

Stanford offers aids for self-study through the Stanford Engineering Everywhere program. Lectures, class notes, readings, exercises and exam materials are all available. If you would refresh your prerequisites in Computer Science thoroughly, you may wish to consider the class materials for CS 106 Programming Methodology or CS 106 B Programming Abstractions. For other prerequisites, you may wish to try the OpenCourseWare Consortium.

 

The Certificate requirements ensures essential skills for bioinformatics while providing flexibility to suit the background and interests of a diverse audience. We offer many classes in the topic.

To complete the Certificate you must complete three Certificate classes which fulfill the following criteria:

  • Biomedin 214 Representations and Algorithms for Computational Molecular Biology is a required class.
  • You must choose one class which is designated as a "Biology Focus" class
  • The third class is an elective.

For some of the elective classes, there are additional prerequisites beyond the general prerequisites. Upon registration, the instructor for the course will review the background of each student to ensure that these prerequisites are met.

Additional Prequisites according to class

  • Prerequisites for Biomedin 214 - vector algebra
  • Prerequisites for CS 262 - CS 161 Design and analysis of algorithms or equivalent
The Certificate in Bioinformatics will be awarded on completion of three required courses with a letter grade of B or better in each course. Upon satisfactory completion of the classes required for the Certificate, contact the Stanford Center for Professional Development, Student Services and request your Certificate. You may request an official University transcript as well.

Table 1. Bioinformatics Certificate Classes: please be aware, class schedules are subject to change. Typically, the University releases schedule information for the next academic year in late June. Stanford is on the quarter system. You will find more information about the academic schedule at the Registrar's webpage.

Certificate Programs Offered by
Biomedical Informatics Training Program

You must take 3 of these classes to earn the Certificate (updated July 2009)

Bioinformatics Certificate
Enrollment Instructions

SCPD Bioinformatics Certificate Page
Follow the links on the SCPD Bioinformatics Certificate page to the class of interest and then click the "New Student Application" button to initiate the enrollment process.

Please contact Betty Cheng, the course advisor for the Biomedical Informatics Certificate program if you have questions.