Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Three undergraduate students working with Professor Shirley Luckhart that have received 2022 University of Idaho USDA research scholarships to study how pathogens, in this case bacteria that cause malaria, can be blocked inside cells.

Unleashing big data in biology

The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB) program at University of Idaho offers flexible, practice-oriented, interdisciplinary graduate programs that prepare students to conduct research in academics, health sciences, agriculture and other industries. By integrating research and coursework in computer science, biology, mathematics and statistics, BCB’s programs equip students with the skills to develop and use computational and mathematical tools to analyze biological data. Graduates are prepared for a lifetime of discovery, advancing the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology.

Academic programs

The BCB department provides you with a strong intellectual foundation in both biology and mathematics, offering research opportunities across disciplines, including collaborative projects in the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences (IIDS) and the Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation (IMCI).

Graduate degrees:

Certificates:

Curriculum highlights include:

  • Coursework spanning the breadth of biology, computer science, math and statistics.
  • Research projects guided by interdisciplinary faculty mentors.
  • Opportunities to present work at national, regional and local professional meetings.

Explore our programs

Meet our team

Faculty

  • Paul Hohenlohe

    Professor, Biological Sciences; Director, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program

  • Bert Baumgaertner

    Professor of Philosophy

  • Erkan Buzbas

    Associate Professor

  • Erik R. Coats

    Sorenson Family Endowed Professor in Water Resources

  • Courtney Conway

    Professor of Wildlife Sciences and Unit Leader of the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

  • Frank Gao

    Professor

  • Chris Hamilton

    Associate Professor

  • Luke J. Harmon

    Professor

  • Esteban Hernandez-Vargas

    Associate Professor

  • Hasan Jamil

    Associate Professor

  • Adam G. Jones

    Distinguished Professor

  • Alexander Karasev

    Distinguished Professor

  • Christopher Marx

    Professor

  • Mark McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Associate Director of COBRE

  • Michelle (Shelley) McGuire

    Distinguished Professor and Director of Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences; Director of COBRE

  • Craig Miller

    Assistant Professor

  • Brenda Murdoch

    Professor

  • Scott Nuismer

    Professor

  • Christine Parent

    Professor

  • Matt Powell

    Interim Associate Dean of Research and Director of Idaho Agricultural Experiment Station

  • Chris Remien

    Associate Professor

  • Benjamin Ridenhour

    Associate Professor

  • Barrie Robison

    Professor and Director, Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences

  • Terry Soule

    Professor

  • John "Jack" M. Sullivan

    Professor

  • Klas Udekwu

    Assistant Professor

  • James Van Leuven

    Assistant Professor

  • Andreas E. Vasdekis

    Associate Professor

  • Lisette Waits

    Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Resources

  • Holly A. Wichman

    University Distinguished Professor and Director, CMCI

  • Min Xian

    Associate Professor

  • Colin Xu

    Assistant Professor

  • Tiantian Yang

    Assistant Professor

  • Fan Yi

    Assistant Professor

  • F. Marty Ytreberg

    Professor

Hands-on learning opportunities

The BCB department offers numerous opportunities for you to gain relevant experience and engage with the broader scientific community:

  • Research projects: Conduct interdisciplinary research in world-class laboratory, computational and collaborative facilities, including IIDS and IMCI.
  • Skills application: Master cutting-edge techniques in bioinformatics with modular learning options.
  • Collaborations: Engage in collaborative projects and build connections with researchers across U of I and beyond.

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