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BIOINFORMATICS MINOR

REQUIRED CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE

BSC 4913/14 Independent Research in Bioinformatics

3 Credits; Fall, Spring (Not offered in Summer) Class meets Wednesdays 3-5pm.

Independent Research in Bioinformatics provides students with an opportunity to perform real-world bioinformatics research within a biology-related laboratory at University of Florida. Students will plan and execute a 1-semester bioinformatics research project under the supervision of a UF research faculty advisor. In addition, students will gain experience communicating their research project to a diverse audience and will learn how to write up their work in the form of a scientific research paper.

IN THE BIOINFORMATICS MINOR CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE, YOU WILL GAIN:

  1. Practical bioinformatics research experience in a ‘real-world’ situation
  2. Guidance in scientific communication and how to write a bioinformatics research paper
  3. Networking opportunities with other UF students engaged in bioinformatics research

 

It is strongly advised that students begin planning for the required capstone experience at least 1 semester before they plan to register for the course.


TO PREPARE FOR THIS CAPSTONE COURSE

You should begin by doing the following:

 

  • Make sure you have met the pre-requisites to register for this course.
    • You will need to have completed at least 2 of the 3 courses required for the bioinformatics minor:
      • BSC 2891 or CAP 5510
      • BSC 4434C
      • MCB 4320C
    • You will need at least a B grade in all the minor courses you have completed to register for BSC 4913.

 

  • Identify a faculty research advisor or other suitable mentor within whose lab you will develop a bioinformatics research project that can be completed within 1 semester. Your faculty research advisor can come from any of the diverse research faculty at UF, so long as they are doing research in a biology-related discipline and agree to supervise your project.

 

  • Once you have developed an initial research project plan with your research advisor, fill out THIS FORM to apply for the course. Applications will be evaluated to ensure that project proposals meet the course requirements and that students meet the course prerequisites. Applications for Spring term are evaluated before the winter break, while applications for Fall term are evaluated before the summer break. You will be contacted about the status of your application after the evaluation period. 

 

Be aware that this capstone experience course is a lot of work. Be prepared to spend at least 10-15 hours/week on your independent research project throughout the duration of the semester.