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

Director and Professor 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 Vanleuven

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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