The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's computational biology bachelor's degree provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.
The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.
Year One
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| UN 1015 Composition | 3 | |
| Math 1160 or 1161 Calculus I with Tech | Yes | 4 or 5 |
| BL 1100 Gen Bio I | 3 | |
| BL 1110 Gen Bio I Lab | 1 | |
| Essential Education: Michigan Tech Seminar BL 1580 | 1 | |
| CH 1150 University Chem I | Yes | 3 |
| CH 1151 University Chem Lab 1 | Yes | 1 |
| Total | 16 or 17 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Foundations of the Human World | 3 | |
| CS 1121 Intro to Programming I | Yes | 3 |
| MA 2160 Calculus II with Tech | Yes | 4 |
| BL 1200 Gen Bio II | 3 | |
| BL 1210 Gen Bio II Lab | 1 | |
| CH 1160 University Chemistry II | Yes | 3 |
| CH 1161 University Chemistry II Lab | Yes | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
Year Two
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Arts and Culture | 3 | |
| CH 2410 Organic Chemistry I | Yes | 3 |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| BL 2700 Principles of Computational Biology | Yes | 3 |
| CS 1122 Intro to Programming II | Yes | 3 |
| MA 2330 Intro to Linear Algebra | Yes | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA 3715 Biostatistics | Yes | 3 |
| BL 2200 Genetics | Yes | 3 |
| BL 2210 Genetics Lab | Yes | 1 |
| CS 2311 Discrete Structures | Yes | 3 |
| CS 2321 Data Structures | Yes | 3 |
| Essential Education: Shape Elective | Yes | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
Year Three
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Intercultural Competency | 3 | |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| BL 3300 Genomics | Yes | 3 |
| BL 3025 Biochemistry | Yes | 3 |
| MA 3740 Statistical Programming & Analysis | Yes | 3 |
| CS 3425 Intro to Data Base Systems | Yes | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Experience | 3 | |
| BL 3782 Writing Practicum | Yes | 2 |
| CS 4321 Intro to Algorithms | Yes | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Major Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 14 |
Year Four
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Education: Communication Intensive | Yes | 3 |
| BL 4300 or 4310 Bacterial Genomics or Eukaryotic Genomics | Yes | 3 |
| BL 4030 Molecular Biology | Yes | 3 |
| BL 4840 Molecular Biology Techniques | 3 | |
| Total | 12 |
| Course | Prerequisites | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BL 4600 Prof Dev Capstone | Yes | 1 |
| Exp Learning Capstone | 3 | |
| Approved Major Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Essential Education: Activities for Well-being and Success | 1 | |
| Total | 12 |
Grand Total = 120 Credits
Essential Education Requirements (37 total credits)
Required courses are:
- a Math course (3 credits),
- a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
- STEM courses (6 credits),
- a Foundations in the Human World course (3 credits),
- Composition UN 1015 (3 credits),
- a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
- an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
- an Essential Ed Seminar course (UN 1013 or UN 2013 or major-specific, 1-3 credits),
- an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
- a SHAPE elective (3 credits)
- an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
- and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.
Up to five Essential Education requirements and the Michigan Tech Seminar may be shared (doublecounted) with major requirements. Students should work with their advisor to determine which major requirements may satisfy Essential Education requirements.
For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.
Additional Notes
- Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent
course.
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
- Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
- Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
- Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time,
although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
- Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
- Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).
This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.
For 2025-2026. Revised 01/30/2026.