College of Veterinary Medicine > Education > Certificates > Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate

Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate

Advances in biology are increasingly driven by analysis of large data sets. 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.

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To apply or if you have questions about the certificate, please contact an undergraduate advisor. Certificate oversight and approvals are handled by the School of Molecular Biosciences Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Who should earn the certificate?

The Bioinformatics Undergraduate Certificate is designed for students seeking to learn or strengthen skills in computational and quantitative analysis 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 a minimum of 15 credits with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in certificate coursework. 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 (9-12 credits)

Students must complete one approved course in each of the following areas, or an alternative with committee approval.

  • Computer programming (1–3 credits). Approved courses include BIO ENG 210, CPT S 111, DATA 301, or DATA 302.
  • Cellular biology (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.

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.

Electives (5-7 credits)

Students must complete two approved advanced 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 495 or CROP SCI 505
  • HORT 499, 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. Faculty mentoring expectations for directed research emphasize project planning, regular feedback, and guided independent learning.

Students wishing to apply graduate‑level coursework toward the certificate should consult the certificate program director or oversight committee for approval procedures.

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.

Questions about the certificate? Contact Dr. Eric Shelden or Dr. Jennifer Watts. 

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