The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate at Washington State University is designed for students who are interested in gaining foundational and applied skills in bioinformatics, an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of biology, data analysis, and computing. Bioinformatics plays a central role in modern research and technology, supporting advances in health, biotechnology, agriculture, and data‑driven life sciences.
This certificate provides undergraduate students with training in computer programming, molecular and cellular biology, genomics, and computational biology. The program is designed to be accessible to students in a wide range of STEM majors and to complement degree programs across the life sciences, engineering, and data‑focused disciplines.
Who should earn the certificate?
The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate is designed for students seeking to strengthen their computational and quantitative skills within a biological context. The certificate may be a good fit for students majoring in:
- Biology or molecular biosciences
- Bioengineering or other engineering disciplines
- Data analytics or computer science
- Animal sciences or agricultural sciences
- Related STEM fields
The certificate is intended for students preparing for careers or graduate study in genomics, biomedical research, biotechnology, and other data‑intensive scientific fields.
Program of study — 15–19 semester credits
Students must complete 15–19 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in certificate course work. The certificate includes required coursework across four core areas, along with approved advanced electives.
Courses may be completed on the Pullman campus and through approved instructional formats.
- Required core areas Students must complete one approved course in each of the following areas, or an alternative receiving committee approval.
- Computer programming (1–3 credits)
Approved courses include BIO ENG 210, CPT S 111, DATA 301, or DATA 302. - Cellular function (3 credits) Approved courses include BIO ENG 350, BIOLOGY 352, HORT 430, MBIOS 401, or NEUROSCI 403.
- Genetics, genomics, or proteomics (3 credits) Approved courses include BIOLOGY 335, BIOLOGY 408, BIO ENG 456, or MBIOS 404.
- Bioinformatics or computational biology (3 credits) Approved courses include MBIOS 478 or CPT S 471.
- Computer programming (1–3 credits)
Substitutions for required areas may be approved by the certificate oversight committee and must include submission of a syllabus and a written justification describing how the course supports bioinformatics learning objectives.
- Advanced electives (5–7 credits) Students must complete two approved electives that enhance understanding of systems biology, statistical genomics, molecular biology, genetics, computational analysis, or protein engineering. Approved electives include courses such as:
- AFS 505
- BIO ENG 455 or BIO ENG 456
- BIOLOGY 475 or BIOLOGY 476
- CPT S 315, CPT S 437, CPT S 440, CPT S 471, or CPT S 475
- CROP SCI 545 or HORT 545
- HORT 522 or HORT 550
- MBIOS 423
Directed research courses (e.g., BIOLOGY 499, MBIOS 498, NEUROSCI 495) may be applied with approval from the certificate director. Directed research must represent a minimum of two credits of effort, may not be repeated for certificate credit, and requires written confirmation of faculty sponsorship.
Students wishing to apply graduate‑level coursework toward the certificate should consult the certificate program director or oversight committee for approval procedures.
- Instruction and mentorship Courses contributing to the certificate are taught by faculty across multiple academic units, including:
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
- College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Faculty mentoring expectations for directed research emphasize project planning, regular feedback, and guided independent learning.
- Oversight Certificate oversight and approvals are handled by the School of Molecular Biosciences Undergraduate Studies Committee.
How to apply
Students should consult the certificate program website or contact the undergraduate academic coordinator in the School of Molecular Biosciences for application information and advising support.