Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Major

 

"I majored in molecular biology and bioinformatics!" You have to admit, that sounds pretty impressive. Why is it that these two scientific disciplines are linked together? The answer is found in the evolution of computer technology. 

 

As the power and organizational capacity of computers quickly grew, it provided molecular biology scientists with an amazing tool to further their research. However, even with the computer, the challenge for molecular biologists continues to be organizing and utilizing the wealth of information entering computer databases to answer basic biological questions. 

The scientists who do so are able to solve a variety of important biological challenges facing our society including diagnosis and treatment of disease, management of environmental degradation, and production of a stable food supply. The molecular biology and bioinformatics (MBBI) major integrates training in molecular biology with computer and programming skills essential for success in the life sciences. 

Critical thinking, problem solving, and practical work in the laboratory and at computer terminals are emphasized. Your educational experience can best be described as hands-on. You'll benefit from professors who take a personal interest and build lasting relationships. This one-on-one attention is the educational foundation that launches successful careers. 

Outside the classroom, Parkside offers the opportunity for you to get involved. Honor societies, student clubs, and organizations help establish your leadership skills, build your community connections, and create a professional network of mentors and coaches. The results speak for themselves. The undergraduate MBBI is excellent preparation for the Parkside master's program in applied molecular biology. Opportunities for MBBI students include medicine, pharmaceuticals and drug design, agriculture, environmental protection, and forensics. 

William Ames graduated in 2011 with a major in molecular biology and bioinformatics. Ames said his education at Parkside was invaluable. "I cannot argue enough in favor of the molecular biology program. The last year requires research. At a larger school like UW-Madison, the chance to work in the lab as an undergrad is rare. Quality people don't get an opportunity to get in a lab environment. You really have to have a basis in research to be competent in what the biology field is becoming," he said. Ames pursued the molecular biology and bioinformatics major to combine his love of information technology and biology.

Our graduates are succeeding at some of the top schools in the nation, including the Medical College of Wisconsin, UW-Madison, the University of Chicago, Washington University School of Medicine, and Johns Hopkins. In their professional careers, Parkside graduates play key roles at leading employers such as: Abbott Laboratories, SC Johnson, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Aurora Healthcare, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, and many more.

 

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 
The Biological Sciences Department's Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics major has been awarded a prestigious accreditation by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. UW-Parkside is one of only approximately 70 universities nationwide and only the second in institute in Wisconsin to receive this accreditation. Key strengths of the MBB program that ASBMB cited are the MBB faculty's strong research programs with all MBB students completing at least two semesters of research as well as UW-Parkside's "commitment to a diverse student population in STEM fields."

As part of this ASBMB degree accreditation major, graduating MBB students can take a certification exam in their Senior year for their own individual certification by ASBMB.

The 2018 exam will cost $30 per student set by ASBMB (to partially defray the ASBMB costs of constructing, printing, delivering and scoring the exam). Registration for the exam is required by March 5, and the exam should be administered during the weeks of April 2 or April 9.

For information about the certification exam and preparing for it, please see this ASBMB weblink:  https://www.asbmb.org/accreditation/certificationexam/

ASBMB accreditations

PROGRAM CONTACT INFO

Natalia Taft | 262-595-2078 | taft@uwp.edu

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