Admissions

Information for Applicants to the Bioinformatics Program

The Bioinformatics IDP will accept applications this Fall for admission to the Ph.D. program in Fall 2010.  We will be accepting applications for the Ph.D. degree program only, not for M.S. degrees.  Please bear in mind the following requirements:

  • Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2009.
  • Applications will be accepted via the UCLA Graduate Admissions Online application.
  • We require the GRE General Exam; A SUBJECT TEST IS NOT REQUIRED.
  • Students applying from non-English speaking countries must provide TOEFL scores.
  • Three letters of recommendation from professors, supervisors or others who may provide an evaluation or accomplishments or potential for research.
  • Write a Statement of Purpose no more than 2 pages) answering the following questions: 1) What question in bioinformatics interests you most? and 2) Describe your research experience(s) (include information on any publications).  You will be directed to link within the online application to complete and then print.
  • We also request students to attach a CV covering relevant skills and experience for bioinformatics, including URL links to research or software projects they have worked on.
  • Two Offical Copies of transcripts from all institutions you have attended.

Important information regarding the Statement of Purpose, CV, and Letter of Recommendation Requests.

This year we will be accepting supporting documents such as the required Statement of purpose, CV, and Letters of Recommendation, via our online form.  Supporting documents may be submitted either as PDF or WORD document files.  For Letters of Recommendation, you will submit the names, contact information and email addresses of your recommenders, using our online form.  You will only be able to enter this information AFTER you have submitted the primary application via UCLA Graduate Admissions online application (see above).

Application Checklist:

Please note all linked documents can also be found on the UCLA Graduate Division website.

What Is Submitted By You to the Graduate Division:

  • The Graduate Application is completed online and is routed to the Bioinformatics Program.

What is Sent by You to the Bioinformatics Program:

What is Submitted by Others to the Bioinformatics Program:

  • Transcripts: Please complete the top part of the form and submit the request to all colleges and universities you have attended
  • Letters of Recommendation:
    Please complete the top portion and then forward to your recommender to mail to Bioinformatics Department.

All materials must be sent to:

Nancy Purtill, Academic Services Manager
2318 Life Sciences Building
621 Charles E. Young Drive South
Box 951606
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606

Undergraduate Preparation

Expected undergraduate preparations for the program fall into three major categories:

  • Bioinformatics and computational biology major: an increasing number of universities are offering undergraduate majors in bioinformatics and computational biology. (UCLA itself offers undergraduate bioinformatics study via its Computational and Systems Biology major). This represents an ideal undergraduate preparation for the program, because it demonstrates the applicant’s performance in each of the essential subject areas-biology, mathematics, and computer science.
  • Double major in biology and computer science or mathematics: in our view, the single greatest difficulty of bioinformatics is its interdisciplinary character. Most undergraduates only have strong preparation in one subject area, making it difficult to evaluate their likely performance in other areas that are essential for bioinformatics. Thus, we also encourage applications from students who have double majored in biology plus a quantitative science, preferably computer science or mathematics.
  • Single majors with strong evidence of interdisciplinary skills:  We will also admit exceptionally strong students from a single traditional major with evidence of interdisciplinary skills. In this case the student’s academic record and research experiences must show clear evidence of ability in other areas essential for bioinformatics, outside of his/her major. In particular, non-biology majors must demonstrate strong performance in relevant biology coursework. Similarly, biology majors must demonstrate strong quantitative skills in computer science and mathematics.

Example: The UCLA Computational and Systems Biology major with Specialization in Bioinformatics provides an example template of appropriate undergraduate preparation for the program, albeit with a strongly engineering background.

http://www.cs.ucla.edu/~cyber/bioinformatics.htm

Other undergraduate preparations that are more biology-oriented are equally valid. During this period of rapid change in bioinformatics and the early development of bioinformatics curricula, no fixed formula for appropriate preparation can be enforced. Flexibility and case-by-case evaluation of a student’s demonstrated skills and interests are essential.

Additionally, the program will place a strong emphasis on applicants’ bioinformatics research experience. Currently, most students entering UCLA via various departments to pursue bioinformatics, have extensive bioinformatics research experience. Success in bioinformatics research, and strong letters of recommendation from bioinformatics faculty advisors, provide the program with clear evidence of a student’s ability to combine the interdisciplinary skills necessary for bioinformatics. This is very important, and will continue to be a vital consideration for admissions.”