Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Bioinformatics- Minor] From Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College was one of the first primarily undergraduate colleges in the United States to offer a baccalaureate degree in Bioinformatics. The program prepares students for employment in industry and academia, and to engage in research. In addition to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, potential employers include research labs in academia, hospitals, governmental agencies, the software industry and the bioinformatics service industry. The bioinformatics program provides excellent preparation for graduate, medical and other professional schools.

Bioinformatics is a modern interdisciplinary science that uses computational techniques to frame and to resolve biological problems. Bioinformatics allows scientists to answer questions which require the interpretation of large datasets and to detect trends in data that emerge when a “bigger picture” is considered. This effective management of biological data allows scientists to create molecular models, discover genes and biomarkers, assign functions to newly discovered genes, and to study relationships like the structure and function of proteins and biomolecular pathways. Bioinformatics is practiced in the fields of molecular, personalized and preventative medicine, biotechnology and nanobiotechnology. Applying this powerful new technology can help to prevent, diagnose and treat inherited and other diseases, design new drugs and vaccines; shorten the development cycle of new medicines and much more.

Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing and evolving field. Opportunities exist to join the forefront of research in industry as well as academic institutions. Northern New Jersey/New York area is a hub for the pharmaceutical industry and one of the largest centers of biotechnology. Several institutions of higher education are also located in the region. Ramapo College is well-suited for a Bioinformatics program because it is proximal to institutions of higher education and companies that have high priority programs in Bioinformatics.