Minor Spotlight: Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
If you’re a future physician, researcher, chemist, or scientist who wants to understand the data behind discovery, the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (CBB) minor prepares you to use and develop computational tools for analyzing biological data and modeling complex biological systems.
This 23-credit-hour interdisciplinary minor integrates biosciences, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and statistics to help you process, visualize, and interpret real-world scientific data. Students gain skills that are increasingly essential in genomics, disease research, and emerging areas like AI-driven drug discovery.
The CBB minor prepares students for careers in biomedical, biotechnology, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and engineering fields, as well as for competitive graduate and professional programs.
Why this minor matters for science and pre-health students Modern medicine and research rely heavily on data. This minor helps you:
- Build coding and data analysis skills used in research labs and healthcare
- Understand genetics, genomics, and biological systems at a deeper level
- Strengthen your preparation for medical, dental, PA, pharmacy, and graduate school
- Stand out for research opportunities, internships, and competitive professional programs
- Connect biology with AI, machine learning, and big-data science
Core foundation includes:
- Fundamentals of Biology I + lab
- Computer Science I
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Applications of Bioinformatics
- Statistics
- Systems biology and biochemical networks
- Human genetics and molecular genetics
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Data mining and deep learning
- Computational biology and genomics
- Mathematical biology and statistical modeling
- You’ll choose two additional courses (at least one from the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics elective list) to tailor the minor to your interests in healthcare, research, or technology.
- Biology, chemistry, and biochemistry majors
- Pre-med, pre-dental, pre-PA, and pre-pharmacy students
- Students interested in research or biotechnology
- Anyone curious about coding, AI, or data in science
Boost your future: Just 23 credit hours can elevate your scientific skillset and help you speak the language of modern research and healthcare. If you’re interested in research, professional school, or biotech careers, this minor can make your application stand out and expand your impact in the world of science.
Interested in adding the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Minor? Connect with your advisor to explore how it can fit into your degree plan and future goals.
More details at: https://cbb.unl.edu/