Bioinformatics and computational biology

To earn your Ph.D. in bioinformatics and computational biology at University of Idaho, you'll complete 78 credits of interdisciplinary coursework, seminars, laboratory experiences and original dissertation research that integrates biological sciences, computer science, mathematics and statistics.

Core coursework builds a common foundation in computational biology, molecular evolution and mathematical genetics before you customize your studies through advanced electives in areas such as genomics, systems biology, artificial intelligence, deep learning, statistical learning, microbial physiology, conservation genetics and computational modeling. You'll also complete laboratory rotations or an internship, participate in graduate seminars, gain teaching experience and conduct original dissertation research that culminates in a significant contribution to the field.

View the program handbook

Explore program courses in the University Catalog

Research and involvement opportunities 

While earning your master’s degree in bioinformatics and computational biology, you’ll spend a lot of time learning alongside others working through similar questions and technical challenges. The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) Graduate Student Association creates space for those connections, helping you engage with peers across the program and build relationships that extend beyond individual courses or labs.

You can also join regular meetings at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences (IIDS) and the Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation (IMCI). These informal meetings give you a chance to learn about ongoing work in the field, exchange ideas and engage in interdisciplinary conversations that connect bioinformatics to broader data science efforts across campus.  

Find more student opportunities 

University of Idaho offers multiple funding pathways as you pursue a bioinformatics and computational biology master’s degree. Explore graduate funding resources and learn more about cost of attendance.

For the thesis M.S. track, you may also have opportunities for funding through teaching or research assistantships. Teaching assistant positions are typically based in the home department of your major professor and include an annual support package that follows that department’s policies and stipend levels. Some faculty members also have externally funded research projects and may offer research assistantships to qualified students whose interests align with their work.

Note: Assistantships depend on departmental needs, faculty funding and availability. They are not guaranteed and are awarded through individual departments or faculty members. 

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. In addition to financial aid and scholarship opportunities, many graduate students receive funding through assistantships, research opportunities and other forms of academic support.

Here are a few key resources to help you understand graduate tuition, funding opportunities and available financial support:

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to accessing federal, state and institutional financial aid.
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Visit U of I’s cost of attendance page to explore estimated tuition, fees and living expenses associated with your graduate program.  
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Visit the Student Accounts page to explore current tuition rates, fees and detailed cost information based on your program, residency status and enrollment level.
• Explore scholarships and graduate funding opportunities: Graduate students may qualify for scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities based on academic achievement, area of study and professional experience.  
• Learn about assistantships: Many graduate programs offer Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Graduate Assistantships (GAs), which may provide tuition support, stipends and valuable professional experience. Assistantship availability and funding levels vary by program and department, as well as program modality as these experiences may only be available for on-campus students.  Reach out to the program contact or graduate admissions to learn about opportunities that are available for online students.  
• Connect with your program: Some graduate funding opportunities are coordinated directly through academic departments or faculty research projects. Prospective students are encouraged to review department funding information and speak with program representatives about available opportunities. 

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s experienced financial aid counselors and graduate program staff can help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View financial aid resources

Recognized STEM Program

This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.

Learn more about STEM approved CIP/degree codes

Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities. 

Biological Sciences contact: 
Paul Hohenlohe
bcb@uidaho.edu

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions: 

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Find Bioinformatics and Computational Biology faculty advisor contacts

Applicants for the Ph.D. in bioinformatics and computational biology program must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:  

Program availability:

• Semester intake: Fall or Spring (with the academic program’s special permission)
  • Eligible for out-of-state tuition waiver through the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) for qualifying applicants
  • Open to international applicants, including those requiring F-1 or J-1 visa status
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates 

University requirements: 

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or closely related field
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page. 
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Three
• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).
  • Accepted tests: TOEFL: 4.5, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 115, PTE-A: 58. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  
• Other requirements: Indicate faculty members you would like to work with in your statement of purpose
• Application Fee: $50 

Application and admission process:

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applicants seeking admission to the Ph.D. are encouraged to identify and contact a potential faculty advisor or major professor during the application process. Early identification of an advisor can help ensure that a faculty member in the applicant’s area of interest has capacity to supervise the student and appropriate research opportunities are available. Applicants should consult the College of Science website to identify faculty whose research aligns with their academic and research interests. 

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

International students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas must provide financial documentation demonstrating their ability to cover the cost of attendance. This documentation is required only after admission.    

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application. 

Paul Hohenlohe, Professor and Program Director

• Evolutionary genetics
• Conservation genomics

Bert Baumgaertner, Professor

• Computational philosophy
• Epistemology
• Mind and language
• Philosophy of science

Erkan Buzbas, Associate Professor

• Metascience  
• Replicability  
• Reproducibility  
• Bayesian statistics
• Computational methods

Erik R. Coats, Sorenson Family Endowed Professor in Water Resources

• Upcycling organic waste streams to high-value commodities
• Microbial wastewater treatment processes
• Biotechnology for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates
• Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR)

Courtney Conway, Professor and Unit Leader, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

• Wildlife management
• Conservation biology
• Behavioral ecology
• Life history evolution

Frank Gao, Professor

• Functional analysis
• Probability theory
• Approximation theory
• Deep learning

Chris Hamilton, Associate Professor

• Systematics – araneae, predominantly tarantulas; lepidoptera, predominantly silkmoths
• Phylogenomics using anchored hybrid enrichment
• Geometric morphometrics – analyzing size and shape
• Machine learning – species identification and discovery

Luke J. Harmon, Professor

• Phylogenetic comparative methods
• Adaptive radiation and diversification
• Macroevolutionary dynamics
• Computational evolutionary biology

Esteban Hernandez-Vargas, Associate Professor

• Mathematical immunology
• Control theory
• Machine learning
• Applied mathematics

Hasan Jamil, Associate Professor

• Knowledge representation and reasoning
• Smart information processing
• Data science, bioinformatics and health informatics
• Educational and learning technologies
• Human computer interactions

Adam G. Jones, Distinguished Professor

• Evolutionary biology
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics  

Alexander Karasev, Distinguished Professor

• Basic and applied research in plant virology
• Virus-host interactions and pathogenicity factors in plants
• Virus diseases of importance in major Idaho crops
• Virus detection strain differentiation and control
• Potato, legumes, sugar beet, cereals and grapevine

Christopher Marx, Professor

• Experimental evolution of microbes
• Evolution of metabolic networks
• Microbial physiology and ecology
• Systems and quantitative biology

Mark McGuire, Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of COBRE

• Hormones and endocrinology
• Lactation
• Livestock and animal science
• Biological science
• Biomedical engineering

Michelle (Shelley) McGuire, Distinguished Professor, Director of Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences and Director of COBRE

• Maternal/infant nutrition
• Human milk composition
• Breastfeeding  
• Milk microbiome
• Mastitis
• Women’s health

Brenda Murdoch, Professor

• Genomics tools and resources for livestock
• Molecular genomic and biotechnology
• Genetic improvement of livestock
• Genome sequencing and assemblies
• Cattle and sheep GWAS

Scott Nuismer, Professor

• Theoretical evolutionary biology
• Coevolution and species interactions
• Mathematical modeling of disease
• Viral spillover and emergence

Christine Parent, Professor

• Evolutionary biology on islands
• Speciation and adaptive radiation
• Galápagos land snail evolution
• Experimental evolution and modeling

Matt Powell, Associate Dean of Research and Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station

• Biological science
• Animal science
• Bioinformatics
• Veterinary medicine

Chris Remien, Associate Professor

• Mathematical biology
• Bioinformatics

Benjamin Ridenhour, Associate Professor

• Biomathematics
• Biostatistics

Barrie Robison, Professor and Director, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences  

• Evolutionary and behavioral genomics
• Genetic architecture of traits
• Fisheries biology and domestication
• Science-based video game design

Terry Soule, Professor

• Evolutionary computation
• Machine learning
• Game design

John “Jack” M. Sullivan, Professor

• Phylogenetic theory and methods
• Speciation/introgression genomics in chipmunks
• Predictive phytogeography with machine learning

Klas Udekwu, Assistant Professor

• Microbial population biology
• Pharmacodynamics, ecology and evolution of genotypic and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance
• Mathematical and experimental modeling of bug/drug interactions
• Built environment microbiology

James Van Leuven, Assistant Professor

• Microbial interactions
• Ecological processes
• Animal health
• Evolution of life
• Genome sequencing data

Andreas E. Vasdekis, Associate Professor

• Biological physics
• Microfluidics
• Optofluidics  

Lisette Waits, Distinguished Professor

• Conservation biology
• Conservation genetics
• Molecular ecology
• Landscape genetics
• Endangered species ecology and management

Holly A. Wichman, Distinguished Professor

• Experimental evolution with viruses
• Evolutionary theory and genomics
• Bacteriophage biology and evolution
• Transposable element evolution

Min Xian, Associate Professor

• Trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI)
• Machine learning (ML) and deep learning
• AI/ML applications in critical areas
• Biomedical image analysis
• AI-aided materials characterization and modeling

Colin Xu, Assistant Professor

• Statistical modeling to understand mood and anxiety disorders
• Predictive modeling of psychiatric treatment outcomes
• Aggregation of epidemiological and treatment trial data
• Modeling the processes of change over the course of treatments for depression

Tiantian Yang, Assistant Professor

• Generalized distributions
• Mathematical statistics

Fan Yi, Assistant Professor

• Image monitoring
• Statistical process control (SPC)

F. Marty Ytreberg, Professor and Director, Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation

• Computational molecular biophysics
• Protein evolution
• Intrinsically disordered proteins