The Program
Bioinformatics uses mathematics, statistics and computer programming to solve biological problems. Genomics deals with how genes are organized within the genome, the management of DNA by the organism and modifications in the genome through evolution. Proteomic studies all the proteins in an organism and their interactions with their environment.
There are many routes into this interdisciplinary field, so taking introductory courses in the related disciplines will open doors to the 11 BiGP-focused courses. Our advisory faculty are also happy to help you design a BiGP pathway that supports your particular interests.
Why Study Bioinformatics, Genomics and Proteomics?
Genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics are already impacting society, affecting medicine, culture, economics and politics in significant ways. You can apply what you learn at Williams to fundamental research, pharmaceutical development, public policy and many other careers advancing human health.
Featured Courses
What can computational biology teach us about cancer? In this lab-intensive experience for the BiGP program, computational analysis and wet-lab investigations inform each other as students contribute their own expertise to explore how ever-growing gene and protein data-sets can provide key insights into human disease.
This course introduces the foundational concepts of biochemistry with an emphasis on the structure and function of biological macromolecules. Specifically, the structure of proteins and nucleic acids are examined in detail in order to determine how their chemical properties and their biological behavior result from those structures.
Genetics, classically defined as the study of heredity, is today a multidisciplinary field whose principles provide critical insight and tools to most areas of biology and medicine. This course covers the experimental basis for our current understanding of the inheritance, structures, and functions of genes. It introduces approaches used by contemporary geneticists and molecular biologists to explore questions in areas of biology ranging from evolution to medicine.
Recommended Courses
Students interested in graduate work in bioinformatics, genomics, and proteomics should take all 11 BiGP courses and their prerequisites. We also invite you to participate in independent research with members of BiGP’s advisory faculty. See course details and prerequisites.
- CSCI 136: Data Structures and Advanced Programming
- BIOL 202: Genetics
- BIOL 305: Evolution
- PSYC 312/NSCI 322: From Order to Disorder(s): The Role of Genes & the Environment in Psychopathology
- PHYS 315/CSCI 315/BIOL 351: Computational Biology
- BIOL 319/CHEM 319/CSCI 319/MATH 319/PHYS 319: Integrative Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics Lab
- BIMO 321/BIOL 321/CHEM 321: Biochemistry I: Structure and Function of Biological Molecules
- BIMO 322/BIOL 322/CHEM 322: Biochemistry II: Metabolism
- BIOL 330: Genomes: Structure, Function, Evolution
- BIOL 408: RNA Worlds
- BIOL 430: Genome Sciences: At the Cutting Edge