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 538 - Probability Theory I
STAT 549 - An Introduction to QTL Mapping in Experimental Populations
STAT 553 - Theory of Linear Models and Analysis of Experimental Designs
STAT 598B - Statistical Genetics/Bioinformatics Seminar
STAT 598C - Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
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 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)

AGRY 320 - Genetics
AGRY 511 - Population Genetics

Computer Science (Recommended)

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

Other Recommended Courses

AGRY 480 - Plant Genetics
BTNY 660 - Scientific Writing
COM 314 - Advanced Public Speaking
Database or Algorithm
BIOL695R/FNR 693A - Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics

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 598C	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 598C	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

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.

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.

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

CS590 - Topics In Computer Science

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

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.

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.

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.