Classes you can take:
Bioinformatics, Advanced Bioinformatics, Genetics, Cell & Molecular Biology, Computer Science, Problem Solving with Python, Data Science, Database Design, Biochemistry, Genomics, Machine Learning, Big Data Programing, Research Design & Statistics, Discrete Structures, Energy & Society, History & Systems of Psychology
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The bioinformatics curriculum has been designed to lay a solid multidisciplinary foundation in modern life sciences, chemistry, mathematics, as well as cutting-edge computer technology using informatics as an interdisciplinary, cohesive tool. In advanced courses, students are trained to manage biological data, develop computational methods to analyze and interpret data, solve scientific problems and make new discoveries. In addition to the scientific and technical concepts, students are also exposed to the social, business, and ethical aspects of science.
The career-oriented Bioinformatics program prepares the students to obtain employment in industry and academia, pursue graduate education, careers in medicine and related disciplines, or engage in research in this technological field of great demand. Bioinformatics skill sets are one of the most sought-after in the current market. Therefore, students graduating with this major have many attractive career options.
In addition to the pharmaceuticals and healthcare companies, potential employers include research labs in academia, hospitals, governmental agencies, software industry, biotechnology sector, bioinformatics and genomics service industries and many more. Bioinformatics jobs offer decent salaries and are easy to find. Some of the job placements of RCNJ Bioinformatics majors in the recent years include: research or analytical scientists, computational biologists in Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Suvoda, GSK, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Santa Cruz Biotechnology.
Some Ramapo Bioinformatics graduates choose to join medical or dental schools. Many others are accepted into Ph.D. programs, mostly with full scholarships. Some of the institutions of higher education in which RCNJ Bioinformatics graduate have been accepted in are: Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University Dental School, RWJ Medical School, Georgia Institute of Technology, Yale University, and University of Pennsylvania.
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Ramapo College is one of the few undergraduate colleges in the US and the first in New Jersey to offer a baccalaureate degree in Bioinformatics. Ramapo has well-maintained modern laboratories for bioinformatics, computer science, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics that you will use throughout your Bioinformatics program.
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.
As a student of Bioinformatics, you will be assigned at least three separate research projects during your junior and senior years. These projects involve application of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills learned during the semester to solve biological problems. In addition to incorporating research into the curriculum, the bioinformatics program provides extra-curricular research opportunities. RCNJ bioinformatics faculty members are actively engaged in research and encourage involving undergraduate students in their research projects. Several of these research efforts represent cross-disciplinary collaborations, for example, between computer scientists and biologists. You will also be encouraged to present your research findings at conferences and publish your accomplishments in peer reviewed scientific journals. Many of Ramapo College bioinformatics students have won awards and co-authored publications in international peer-reviewed journals for the research that they have performed with Ramapo College faculty.
If you’re interested in gaining internship experience, previous Ramapo students have participated in programs with the New York Blood Center, Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Cornell University, Texas A& M University, Vanderbuilt University, and other companies and institutions.
The Bioinformatics minor provides Ramapo College students with an opportunity to develop bioinformatics skills, which will complement their major program of study. Students with a minor in Bioinformatics are expected to be better prepared for professional schools, graduate programs and research oriented jobs in industry and academia. The minor also offers a more thorough preparation for the doctoral programs.
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