The graduate program in computational
and integrative biology (CCIB) provides training in the study of biological systems
using tools from traditional natural science disciplines such as biology, chemistry,
and physics integrated with methods for analysis of interacting complex
systems from mathematics and computer science. In particular, computational
analysis is a prominent aspect of integrative biology, which deals with a
large number of interacting biological variables to obtain a fuller overall
understanding of complex biological systems. The goal of integrative biology
is to extract broad quantitative organizational principles that can relate
interactions of component parts to macroscopic behaviors of the complex
system. Students who have completed the master's program are expected to have the quantitative
skills and comprehensive knowledge of systems biology to engage in meaningful
research in computational and integrative biology. To prepare for success
in this new interdisciplinary area, students are expected to have a thorough
understanding of key concepts in biological chemistry, biomathematics, computer
science, and integrative biology. Furthermore, all students are required
to have the capability of applying quantitative approaches to biological
research, to be able to critically analyze the scientific literature in
computational and integrative biology, and to skillfully communicate scientific
ideas and research results, both orally and in writing.
In addition to the expectations for the master's degree, doctoral students
will be required to demonstrate the capability to make a significant original
research contribution to the area and to present and defend this contribution
in oral and written forms.
