Program Description

Application Requirements

Program-Specific Instructions

Program Overview

The MS in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology addresses the growing national and regional demand for highly trained computational biologists.

Professionals in this field collect, store, analyze, and interpret complex biological data. Their work contributes to advancements in areas such as basic biology, disease detection, drug development, biosystems modeling, forensics, agriculture, and environmental science. These contributions are made possible through the integration of biological sciences with high-performance computing.

This master’s program provides a strong foundation in biotechnology alongside the computational and analytical skills essential for modern bioinformatics. The flexible degree structure allows students to customize their curriculum in consultation with a faculty advisor, making it especially well-suited for individuals working in today’s diverse biotechnology and life sciences sectors.

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers that require expertise in current bioinformatics methods and applications, as well as the ability to develop and utilize innovative computational tools and software.

All courses are offered in an online format, enabling students to complete the program without the need to travel to campus.

For more information, visit Mason Online.

English Proficiency Requirements

All Mason students must have a full command of academic English to be successful in their studies. For this reason, Mason requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency for admission consideration, regardless of citizenship. Click here to view the requirements.

International Transcript Requirements

All transcripts from colleges or universities outside the United States must be translated into English, if applicable, and submitted for evaluation to the Mason Office of Admissions. Mason will provide evaluation service free of charge for all international transcripts, however, some programs may request an outside evaluation be completed. Because of volume, more time may be needed to process applications requiring a Mason evaluation. You should submit your application 6 weeks prior to the deadline if you plan to utilize Mason’s free evaluation service. For expedited service, students may submit their documents to any NACES member organization at their own expense. If you decide to use an external evaluation service or if your program requires an outside evaluation, GPA and Degree equivalences must be included with your course-by-course evaluation. Mason evaluations are used for internal purposes and are not released to applicants. For information on international transcript requirements, go here.