Marquette University's master of science in bioinformatics program is an ideal fit for students with undergraduate degrees with biology, medical science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science. This master's program is offered jointly with the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) for an improved, convenient curriculum. The entire program consists of either 30 credits with a thesis or 33 credits with a short essay.
We offer classes both during the day and in the evenings with both full- and part-time options available. Whether you are a new college graduate or a working professional looking to advance your career, our program can fit your needs.
Credit Hours*
Years to Complete*
Full and Part-time Options
*30 credit hours and 2 years to complete is based on Plan A. See bulletin for details.
Through the joint program with the Medical College of Wisconsin, students take classes at our Milwaukee campus and a few miles away at MCW. This provides students greater access to coursework, faculty, facilities, equipment and research opportunities at both institutions.
MCW's partnerships with renowned medical facilities like Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin give students a hands-on experience only available through this unique program. Students in the joint program are also able to form networks that can be helpful in the job market.
What is Bioinformatics?
Bioinformatics deals with discovering knowledge in biology or medicine present in large data sets. As such, it is an interdisciplinary science that is always in rapid flux as the methods and the nature of the data sets change. Bioinformatics clearly involves the application of computers for storage, organizing, and analyzing the data. But it also involves statistics, probability, mathematics, and related disciplines to create the analysis algorithms and to make sense of the results. Effectively interacting and collaborating with the content-area scientists also requires developing deep knowledge and understanding in those areas to be able to interpret the results and communicate them effectively to the scientific community.
Learning Outcomes
Designed to equip graduates with a distinctive blend of theoretical and computational skills and practical experience for employment in industry, research laboratories and institutions of higher education. The MS in bioinformatics also can serve as a starting point for doctoral work through our Computational Sciences program.
Career Opportunities
Students who have graduated from this program work in laboratories in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech companies and academic settings. Several have continued on for Ph.D.'s in the area such as Ph.D. in computer science and Ph.D. in computational sciences.
Our M.S. in bioinformatics program is a STEM-designated program, which means international students are eligible to apply for 36 months of Optional Practical Training, allowing employers to potentially hire international students for up to three years instead of only one.
Ready to learn more about Marquette's bioinformatics graduate program? Request more information now or schedule an on-campus visit.
Tim Carter
(414) 288-7139
*required field
To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:
The bioinformatics program can accomodate students from a wide variety of disciplines, including biological science, biomedical science, computer science, mathematics, statistics, engineering and physical sciences. Applicants who have not completed any biological science coursework, computer science coursework, and/or statistics coursework, may need to complete those prerequisite courses in the first year of their program.
1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.
2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record.
This program has rolling admission, which means you may apply and submit all application materials any time before the following dates:
Visit the department webpage or visit the Medical College of Wisconsin Bioinformatics program page for more details and information about faculty and coursework.
Mehdi Maadooliat (Co-Director) - Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (MU)
Raul A. Urrutia (Co-Director) - Surgery (MCW)
Michael T. Zimmermann (Co-Director) – Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center (MCW)
Lisa Petrella – Biological Sciences (MU)
Chelsea Cook – Biological Sciences
Tony Gamble – Biological Sciences
Krassi Hristova – Biological Sciences
Nate Lemoine – Biological Sciences
Chris Marshall – Biological Sciences
Keke Chen - Computer Science
Naveen Bansal – Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Anne Clough – Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Daniel Rowe – Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Elaine Spiller – Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Jing Dong – Hematology and Oncology
Gwen Lomberk - Surgery and Pharmacology & Toxicology
Brian C. Smith – Biochemistry
James Verbsky – Pediatrics and Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
No merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) is available for this program, but private scholarships may be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may also be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses.
Application Deadline: January 15th (priority), Rolling Admission
Full-Time: Yes | Part-Time: Yes | Online Options: No
Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Department
Tuition Cost Per Credit: $1,295.00
Other costs exist, see here.
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