Bioinformatics Program

St. �山ǿ��

Where does some of the most exciting science occur? It’s at the intersection of traditionally distinct fields. Fields like bioinformatics — merging computer science, mathematics, and biology — create new niches that traditionally trained scientists find difficult to fill.

As one example, the recent sequencing and analysis of the genomes of dozens of species has provided an avalanche of information straining old information systems. Computer scientists, mathematicians and information specialists have already invented many new systems which have helped to shed light on the evolution and functioning of life on Earth. Extracting further insights from this explosion of biological information will continue to require expertise in each of the areas contributing to the field of bioinformatics.

Bioinformatics serves both as a tool for biologists and as a challenge for the computer scientist. "Biologists use off-the-shelf software, often in extremely clever ways, to suggest what experiments they should do, while computer scientists search for new algorithms to extract meaning from a flood of biological information,” said Dr. Joel Benington, professor of biology and former director of the Bioinformatics Program at St. Bonaventure.

STEM-designated program

This program meets the requirements for STEM designation, as determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-demand fields worldwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations is expected to grow by 10.4% from 2023 to 2033 — significantly faster than other professions.

For international students, St. Bonaventure offers unique advantages. Pursuing a STEM degree here qualifies F1 visa holders for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including the opportunity for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This means you could gain up to three years of practical experience in the U.S., enhancing your career prospects in global job markets.

Learn more about STEM at St. Bonaventure

Program information

The Bioinformatics Program offers a B.S. in Bioinformatics.

Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics

The major in Bioinformatics provides the student broad foundations in biology, computer science, and mathematics to allow them to work on problems that lie at the intersection of these fields.

Upon successful completion of the Bioinformatics program at St. �山ǿ��, graduates:

will comprehend foundational concepts and information in biology, chemistry, and physics, and will be able to apply those concepts to the interpretation of research findings in genomics;
will comprehend and be able to make use of mathematical tools and computer programming concepts that have broad application to bioinformatics;
will comprehend how biological information is stored in genomes, how that information is made use of in the functioning of living things, and how that information has evolved throughout the history of life;
will demonstrate a familiarity with the most prominent computational and experimental techniques that have been used to study genomes, and will interpret research findings derived from those techniques;
will complete an original research project in bioinformatics, applying the above-described comprehension and abilities, and will explain the methods and findings of that research project to an interdisciplinary audience.

�山ǿ��’s Simpson, SUNY researchers publish article on removal of PFAS

Dec 18, 2024 | Dr. Scott Simpson, professor of Chemistry at St. �山ǿ��, along with researchers from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, continue to fight on the front line in their effort to rid dangerous chemicals from water.

Simpson researchers publish article on removal of PFAS

Dec 13, 2024 | Dr. Scott Simpson, professor of Chemistry and department chair, along with researchers from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, published their article titled "Synthesis and Evaluation of Cationic Porphyrin-Based Organic Nanocages for the Removal of 38 PFAS from Water: Experimental, Theoretical, and Eco-toxicological Insights" in ACS ES&T Engineering.

Work by Simpson and two others accepted for publication

Nov 08, 2024 | Dr. Scott Simpson, professor of Chemistry, Kate Merkel, 2022 �山ǿ�� Chemistry graduate, and Dr. Alyssa Santos, former postdoctoral researcher in the Simpson Research group, have had their publication "Trigonal Bipyramidal or Square Planar? Density Functional Theory calculations of iron bis(dithiolene) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes" accepted for publication in the Royal Chemical Society's journal Dalton Transactions.

Dr. Kaitlyn Dykstra

Director of the Bioinformatics Program

Assistant Professor of Biology

(716) 375-2480

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Walsh Science Center 213