Suggested Curriculum


Statistical Bioinformatics is an inter-disciplinary field. Statistics students specializing in Statistical Bioinformatics are not only required a solid foundation of Statistics but also a good command of Genetics, as well as basic computer knowledge and skills. For those who are interested in Statistical Bioinformatics at Purdue, we present a list of courses (and course descriptions) currently taken by students who are seeking a career in Statistical Bioinformatics, and two sample course programs for both M.S. and Ph.D. (4-semester for M.S. and 6-semester for Ph.D.)

Course List

Statistics Courses (Required)

  • STAT 514 - Design of Experiments
  • STAT 519 - Introduction to Probability
  • STAT 524 - Applied Multivariate Analysis
  • STAT 525 - Intermediate Statistical Methodology
  • STAT 526 - Advanced Statistical Methodology
  • STAT 528 - Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
  • STAT 529K - Bayesian Statistics and Applied Decision Theory
  • STAT 598R.F03 - Discovering Genomics, Proteomics and Microarrays
  • STAT 538 - Probability Theory I
  • STAT 553 - Theory of Linear Models and Analysis of Experimental Designs
  • STAT 549 - An Introduction to QTL Mapping in Experimental Populations
  • STAT 598B - Statistical Genetics/Bioinformatics Seminar
  • STAT 598M.SP06 - Statistical Data Mining

Statistics Courses (Recommended)

  • STAT 513 - Statistical Quality Control
  • STAT 520 - Time Series and Applications
  • STAT 522 - Sampling and Survey Techniques
  • STAT 532 - Elements of Stochastic Processes
  • STAT 576 - Statistical Decision Theory and Bayesian Analysis
  • STAT 598C - Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  • STAT 598D.SP07 - Computational Statistics
  • STAT 598G - Introduction to Computational Statistics
  • STAT 598K.SP02 - Statistical Methods for Computational Biology
  • STAT 695C.F02 - Multivariate Function Estimation Using Splines
  • STAT 695G.F02 - Bayesian Nonparametrics
  

Biology Courses (Required)

Computer Science (Recommended)

  • CPT 267 - Introduction to C++ Language Programming
  • CS 590 - Topics In Computer Science

Other Recommended Courses
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Sample Course Programs
Sample 1: M.S. in Statistical Bioinformatics
Semester 1 2 3 4
Course STAT 519/516 STAT 528/517 STAT 524 STAT 526
STAT 525 STAT 514 STAT 598R.F03 STAT 520
AGRY 320 STAT 522 AGRY 511 STAT 549
STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B

Sample 2: Ph.D. in Statistical Bioinformatics
Semester 1 2 3 4 5 6
Course STAT 528 STAT 526 STAT 524 STAT 598M.SP06 STAT 695X STAT 532
STAT 525 STAT 538 STAT 598R.F03 STAT 514 X X
STAT 519 STAT 553 AGRY 511 STAT 549 X X
STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B STAT 598B

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Course Descriptions

AGRY 320 - Genetics

The transmission of heritable traits; probability; genotypic-environmental interactions; chromosomal aberrations; polyploidy; gene mutations; genes in populations; the structure and function of nucleic acids; biochemical genetics; molecular genetics; coding.

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AGRY 511 - Population Genetics

Basic concepts of population genetics. Characterization of populations using gene frequencies, gametic and zygotic disequilibrium; forces changing gene frequencies (mutation, migration, selection, and random genetic drift) and genotypic frequencies (mating systems: inbreeding, crossbreeding, and phenotypic assortative) and related hypothesis testing; gene trees and the coalescent process; and molecular phylogenies.

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CPT 267 - Introduction to C++ Language Programming

This course is an introduction to C++ language programming for persons with prior programming experience. Course topics include data types, control flow, operators and expressions, and an introduction to class construction including other object-oriented concepts and constructs. Applications are designed for business, manufacturing, or technology, depending on audience

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CS590 - Topics In Computer Science

Directed study for students who wish to undertake individual reading and study on approved topics

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AGRY 480 - Plant Genetics

Principles and recent advances in plant genetics including: genetic segregation, linkage, DNA markers and applications, chromosomes and genomes, variation in chromosome number and structure, mutation, recombination and DNA repair, quantitatively inherited traits, introduction to principles of population genetics, gene expression, gene organization, regulation of gene activity, gene function, identifying important genes, cloning genes, reverse genetics, plant transformation, applications of genetic engineering, genome sequencing, using sequence data.

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BTNY 660 - Scientific Writing

This is a course on coping with publication in professional journals. It covers the full range of activities involved in carrying a piece of original research to completion as a primary research article in a refereed journal. Emphasis is on principles of clear and concise technical reporting. Topics include: research and writing goals; journals' policies; data presentations; effective style; organizing, writing, revising, and processing manuscripts; proofreading; peer review; ethics; and grant proposals. Students will use their own data to prepare a manuscript as if for publication.

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COM 314 - Advanced Public Speaking

Development of a marked degree of skill in the composition and delivery of various types of speeches; special emphasis on speeches related to the student's major vocational area.

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Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved by Dr. Rebecca W. Doerge