Masters / PHD

Institute of Bioinformatics – Graduate Program

With the advent of multiple genome sequences, biological research has become much more quantitative, using tools from physical, mathematical, and computational sciences to generate and analyze large-scale datasets in an attempt to understand the behavior of biological systems. The highly interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics has developed around these new approaches. The mission of the Institute of Bioinformatics is to educate and train graduate students in bioinformatics research and its applications, so that they can attain mastery and leadership in this new interdisciplinary field. Graduate students pursue research-oriented programs of study leading to a degree or certificate. The Institute offers three options:

Ph.D. degree in Bioinformatics
M.S. degree in Bioinformatics
Graduate certificate in Bioinformatics

Students matriculating in this program will be directed and mentored by faculty members from multiple departments and disciplines. The bioinformatics graduate program consists of faculty members whose research interests cover a wide spectrum of bioinformatics research in the areas of microbial, fungal, plant, and animal genomics, structural genomics, biomedical (e.g., cancer) genomics, glycogenomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and pharmacological informatics, using computational, statistical, and experimental technologies. Students should refer to the detailed research descriptions of the faculty members in the Institute of Bioinformatics (IOB core faculty and courtesy faculty can train bioinformatics students).

Applications for Admission to the Bioinformatics Program to Earn a Ph.D.

Applications are due December 1st for matriculation the following Fall term.

(Example: Applications received on or before December 1, 2024 will be considered for matriculation in Fall 2025. )

The candidates for the graduate program must apply to the Graduate School and meet its admission criteria. Successful applicants will be expected to have mastered one or more of the disciplines that serve as a foundation for bioinformatics research, including the biological, mathematical, computational, and physical sciences and engineering. Mastery will be demonstrated by coursework equivalent to an undergraduate major in at least one such area.

The Bioinformatics PhD program primarily admits students through the Integrated Life Sciences (ILS, https://ils.uga.edu/) and Integrated Plant Sciences (IPS, https://ips.uga.edu/) programs, and we encourage students interested in the PhD in Bioinformatics to apply to one of these programs. Most students enter the Bioinformatics PhD program through the ILS, which serves as an entry portal for several PhD programs in life sciences, including bioinformatics. Students enrolled in the ILS spend only the fall semester in the ILS while taking lab rotations and then choose their PhD advisor and join one of the participating PhD programs. Students with interest in bioinformatics who are not admitted to ILS are automatically considered for admission directly to IOB, so there is no need to apply to both ILS and Bioinformatics programs. The IPS operates in a similar way as the ILS but it is specific for students with interest in plant sciences. Follow the instructions on the ILS or IPS websites to submit the application.

While in the PhD program, students will fulfill all the requirements of the Graduate School for the graduate degree. Student progress in the program will be monitored by the Graduate Coordinator and the IOB Graduate Affairs Committee. Upon arrival at the university, students will be assigned a curriculum advisor for guidance and mentoring. Because this program is interdisciplinary, students will be required to take prerequisite courses in areas where they do not have the necessary background. Students will select their major professor and establish an advisory committee by the end of their first year in the program.

The advisory committee will meet with the students no less than once a year and will be responsible for mentoring the student’s research and training, approving the student’s program of study, administering the written and oral comprehensive examination, approving the subject for the dissertation, approving the completed dissertation, and approving the student’s defense of his or her research.

Students will take a comprehensive examination before the beginning of their third year under the supervision of the major professor, following the Graduate School guidelines. Successful candidates for the PhD degrees will then typically concentrate on their research projects. After completing their research, they will write a dissertation and defend it at a final oral examination.

All students will receive training and experience in written and oral communication skills and training in the responsible conduct of research.

The details of the graduate program can be found in the Bioinformatics Graduate Student Handbook

Graduate Assistantships

Students admitted to the bioinformatics PhD program usually receive assistantships and tuition waivers, in most instances for up to 5 years. The majority of bioinformatics PhD students are supported by Research Assistantships (RA-ships) provided by their advisors in exchange for working on the advisor’s funded research projects. Some students also receive Teaching Assistantships (TA-ships), generally for a limited period of time, to assist instructors in teaching classes. Both RAs and TAs are considered part-time UGA employees and subject to appropriate rules and regulations. UGA also offers a limited number of special assistantships for outstanding candidates. Qualified prospective PhD students are also encouraged to apply for external fellowships, such as the GRFP from the National Science Foundation (https://www.nsfgrfp.org/).

MS students are eligible for Research or Teaching Assistantships but IOB does not guarantee assistantships or tuition waivers for MS students. We attempt to match applicants to the MS program with faculty of related research interest to explore possibilities of receiving an RA-ship and finding a thesis advisor. Applicants can also contact IOB faculty directly to inquire about RA-ships and/or advising. Qualified applicants who do not find a suitable match can be admitted without a promise of financial assistance.

Applications for Admission to the Bioinformatics Program to Earn an MS.

Applications are due December 1st for matriculation the following Fall term.

(Example: Applications received on or before December 1, 2024 will be considered for matriculation in Fall 2025. Applications received on or after December 2, 2024 will be considered for Fall 2026.)

How to Apply

Applications are due December 1st for matriculation the following Fall term. Late applications from exceptional applicants may receive consideration.
Apply electronically or to learn more about admissions requirements visit The Graduate School. International applicants should be aware of supplemental requirements prior to applying.
A complete application includes transcripts (official or unofficial), CV/Resume, Statement of Purpose, and 3 letters of recommendation. The personal statement should detail your research experience and career interests. Submit the CV/Resume and Personal Statement to the IOB Graduate Coordinator and send other application materials to the UGA Graduate School. NOTE: GRE is not required but accepted as supplemental application material.

While in the program, students will fulfill all the requirements of the Graduate School for the graduate degree. Student progress in the program will be monitored by the Graduate Coordinator and the IOB Graduate Affairs Committee. Upon arrival at the university, students will be assigned a curriculum advisor for guidance and mentoring. Because this program is interdisciplinary, students will be required to take prerequisite courses in areas where they do not have the necessary background. Students will select their major professor and establish an advisory committee by the end of their first year in the program.

M.S. students with the thesis option are required to conduct a research project and to write a thesis based on it. An oral exam will be conducted by the advisory committee during which the student will defend his/her thesis. For the non-thesis option, the student will prepare a technical report on a research project in bioinformatics under the direction of a designated member of the IOB faculty. The technical report must be approved by a committee including the project director.