Biological Sciences

Computational Biology Bachelor's Degree

Work With Biological Information That is Revolutionizing Society

Rapid developments in genomic and molecular research + extreme advances in information technologies = a multitude of biological information . . . and the need for experts to compute, process, model, simulate, and analyze it.

Enter computational biology, a fusion of biology and IT. Specialists in this field use computational analyses to study the vast information provided by modern molecular biology—such as DNA sequences, which are growing at an unprecedented rate. With a Bachelor of Science in Computational Biology, you'll be prepared to enter a unique and cutting-edge field of biology/medicine and analyze data that may support the creation of new pharmaceuticals, treatments for life-altering diseases, improvements in crop production, or protection of the environment.

  • 35%
    of undergraduates do research with faculty every year
  • #1
    Best Value College in Michigan (niche.com, 2024)

Tomorrow Needs Innovative Computational Biologists

As the world of biological data expands, so does the need for talented mathematicians and statisticians who understand biological information, genomes, and molecules. A degree in computational biology opens doors—you'll have opportunities to solve real-world problems in a diverse range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, academia, government, and more. Blend your biology skills with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Be Career Ready

Computational biology majors are in demand, especially as healthcare and research incorporates tools like AI. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 26% employment growth between 2023 and 2033 for computer and information research scientists. Plus, computational biologists work in some of the best paying and most satisfying jobs. Data Scientist (#8) and Statistician (#92) are among the 100 Best Jobs according to U.S. News & World Report in April 2025.

Career Opportunities for Computational Biologists

Some of the jobs open to you with a BS in Computational Biology:

  • Genotyping
  • Genomic Sequence Analysis
  • Sequence Assembly
  • Database Administration
  • Pharmacogenomics

Michigan Tech Computational Biology Majors Have Been Hired By

The growing list of companies that have hired Michigan Tech computational biology graduates includes:

  • Douglas Corporation
  • Empirical Bioscience
  • MDI Biological Laboratory
  • National Marrow Donor Program

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying computational biology at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Watch Michigan Tech Computational Biology Major video
Preview image for Michigan Tech Computational Biology Major video
"It's a little bit of math, it's a little bit of science, and it's a lot of numbers. Essentially it takes someone who really likes to learn. I have great mentors pushing me to learn more and more about what I like."Lucy Arbanes, computational biology

In computational biology, you think of a biological question you want to answer and see if you can figure it out by playing with data! You could end up researching cancer biology, developing new DNA sequencing and annotation algorithms, or mining the rapid influx of biological data.

 

Read Full Article

Emily Taylor '24
BS Computational Biology

Study Computational Biology at a Technological University

At Michigan Tech, you will build knowledge and research foundations required to succeed in graduate school, research, or the job market. You'll learn and experience first-hand how biology is central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, environment and industry. With biology faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you'll use biology in the lab and present results in classrooms, research symposia, and scientific journals.

Undergraduate Majors in Biological Sciences

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem.
Just declare the General Sciences and Arts major, give yourself time, and decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more speak to an academic advisor.

Undergraduate Minors

Specialize in a secondary discipline outside of or complementary to your major, expand your knowledge base, and boost your potential career options with these nine biology-centric minors. A minor in a pre-professional program such as Pre-Law or Pre-Health prepares you for graduate school and future careers in law and medicine. You can declare a major anytime, but it is recommended you begin your minor studies as early as possible in your academic career. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Bioprocess Engineering
  • Ecology
  • Fish Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Nanoscale Science and Engineering
  • Plant Biotechnology
  • Plant Sciences

Student Learning Goals

When you complete our bachelors of science computational biology degree, you can expect to achieve the following:

  • Integrate biological concepts and computer programming applicable to computational biology.
  • Apply the scientific method of investigation.
  • Have the ability to collate information from diverse sources.
  • Increase critical thinking and problem solving skills.
  • Be aware of the ethical and moral issues in their field.

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your biology skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

"My favorite parts of the Bio Sci department were definitely the people. The professors and graduate students that I got to work with were all very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subjects, and my academic advisor was always very helpful and inviting."

Charlotte Hildebrandt
Charlotte Hildebrandt '22
BS Bioinformatics (now called Computational Biology)