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Certificate

Applied Bioinformatics

Capture, analyze, manage, and utilize all types of genomics data.

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About the Applied Bioinformatics Program

The Human Genome Project kicked off a process of accrual of massive amounts of genomics data. The genomics data on diverse organisms that is now routinely generated and it is being leveraged in multiple industries with an impact on broad sectors of our economy, including the delivery of medicine, the design of pharmacological agents and even the manufacturing of industrial products such as materials and foodstuff.

Because genomic data is now found in so many different industries and scientific endeavors, a basic understanding on how to exploit it has become indispensable for scientists as well as other technical professionals. A familiarity with genomic data how to gather, analyze, and interpret it, is needed to succeed in most sectors of the life sciences and biomedical industry. Such understanding is at the core of bioinformatics.

The specialized certificate in Applied Bioinformatics is aimed at scientists in the life sciences, engineers, technical professionals working in industrial biotechnology and ancillary industries who need to utilize tools developed for bioinformatics. You will learn how to effectively utilize the data generated by the genomics revolution by giving you a solid understanding of the tools and methods of bioinformatics including:

  • Understanding of the importance of bioinformatics as a tool in life sciences research
  • Knowledge of the multiple public data repositories and how to exploit them
  • Familiarity with the software tools used for genome analysis and comparison
  • Appreciation for the multiple uses of genomic information
  • Awareness of the current genomics sequencing methods
  • Insight into the challenges faced when confronted with big data
  • Programming skills sufficient to manipulate genomic data

Online
9-15 Months
Varies by student and courses taken per quarter.
$2,900
Excludes recommended prerequisite courses, certificate fee, and textbooks.

Background

The Human Genome Project initiated a significant accumulation of extensive genomics data. This data, generated routinely for diverse organisms, is extensively utilized across multiple industries. Its impact extends to various sectors of our economy, including healthcare delivery, pharmaceutical design, and even the production of industrial goods such as materials and food items.

Given the widespread presence of genomic data in numerous industries and scientific endeavors, possessing a fundamental understanding of effectively utilizing it has become essential for scientists and other technical professionals. Proficiency in gathering, analyzing, and interpreting genomic data is crucial for success in most life sciences and biomedical industry domains. This proficiency lies at the very heart of bioinformatics.

Bioinformatics is a discipline that encompasses the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate genomic data. It equips individuals with the ability to harness and leverage this invaluable resource for various applications, spanning from unraveling complex biological mechanisms to driving innovation in healthcare and industrial sectors.

Conditions for Admission

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies programs are designed to best serve college-prepared working professionals. Although programs are open to all adult learners, where program capacity is limited, applicants with this profile will receive preference for admission.

How to Apply

There is no fee when applying to this program. Students will be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance.

Get More Information

For detailed information, please contact our Science & Technology department.

Applied Bioinformatics
Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

Recommended Prerequisites

Core Courses

All three (3) courses required.

Electives

Complete three (3) units.

Related Documents

FAQs

STEP 1: If you have a My Extension student account, skip to Step 2. If you do not have a My Extension account, go to myextension.ucsd.edu, click "Create an account" on the right side of the page, and follow the instructions to create an account. Once you have a My Extension account, continue to Step 2.

STEP 2:  Click on the "Apply Now" button on the certificate page. Complete the required fields on the application. Then click the "Save" button. Once you have saved the application, the "Submit" button will appear. Click on the "Submit" button to submit your application for review and consideration. Once submitted, your application cannot be changed. You can track the progress of your application at My Extension. 
Current application or certificate enrollment fees, if any, are listed under the “Apply Now” button on the certificate page on our website.
Yes, you may enroll in the program at any time. However, it is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible. The program curriculum may be updated at any time; if certificate requirements change, you must adhere to the curriculum at the time of your enrollment into the certificate. Enrolling in the certificate also gives you access to quarterly, personalized enrollment reminders from the program manager.
Yes! The program is designed for you to take it online in the convenience of your own home or office. Some courses may also have in-class options, but all program requirements can be completed online. For online courses, all assignments, tests, and quizzes can be completed online and submitted through our online learning management system. 
You officially have five years from when you begin taking courses in the program to complete all requirements for the certificate.
If you have taken a course from an accredited university covering the learning objectives of a program course, you may be able to transfer your previous coursework to Extension. If you have not taken a course elsewhere, but already have the skills covered in a course, you may be able to substitute an alternate Extension course in its place. Please contact the program representative at unexbio@ucsd.edu for more information.
Yes. Our programs are designed to be working-student friendly and most of our students are working professionals. The courses vary between two and three units, which amount to approximately 18-20 hours of class time for a two unit course and 27-30 hours of class time for a three unit course.
UC San Diego is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies - like all other UC San Diego schools, colleges, and departments - is accredited by WASC through the University. All courses and certificate programs offered by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies have been developed and are administered in accordance with Extension policy and the regulations of the Academic Senate of the University of California. 
This program is not aligned with any one certification exam. Our programs are designed to provide students with knowledge that will make them valuable in the workforce.
When you have paid your certificate fee and successfully completed all program requirements, you will need to request an audit by Student Services. To request an audit:
  • In your My Extension account, click on “My Courses.”
  • On the right side of the page under “My Certificates,” click on the name of the certificate.
  • On the right side of the page under “Tools,” click on “Request Certificate Audit.”
  • Complete and submit the form that appears.
Once you have formally submitted your audit request, your certificate will be mailed to the address we have on file for you within ten business days.
No, we do not currently offer job placement assistance or internships. 
  • UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers low competitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personal financial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on our website’s Financial Resources page.
  • The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on their website at edd.ca.gov.
  • Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment and training services benefiting both business and job seekers. More information is available on their website at workforce.org.
  • Please click here for information about Veteran’s Benefits.
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) funds are limited to degree programs only, and cannot be used for courses or certificate fees at UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies.
Our classes post to our website and become open for enrollment approximately two months prior to the new quarter starting. If you’d like to get an email reminder you can sign up for our newsletter(s) in My Extension, under the “Preferences” tab.
We recommend enrolling as soon as possible, as occasionally classes will reach capacity.
If you have enrolled at least three days before the course begins, you will have access starting on the first day of class. You should receive an email from Student Services with instructions for how to login to the course. If you have enrolled on or after the start date of the course, you will have access to the course within one business day.
 

You will have access to the online Canvas course on the official start date of the class/exam/info session.  Access will be available at 12:01am Pacific Time.

Enrollment to online classes can take up to 24 hours to process and sync up to our online platform, Canvas. For example, if a class started on Tuesday and that is the day a student enrolled, they will likely not have full access to the class until 24 hours later on Wednesday.

Enrollment in a course may be closed for one or more of the following reasons:
  • The course is at capacity. If the course is at capacity you will only be able to join the waitlist. If space becomes available in the course, students on the waitlist are contacted in the order they joined the waitlist.
  • The course has progressed to a point where students will no longer be able to make-up missed work and be successful in the course.
  • The course is cancelled due to low enrollments.
For all three of these reasons we recommend students enroll early in the courses they are interested in.
The refund deadline for courses in this program is typically 3 days after the start of the course. This allows you to enroll in a course and participate in the first class meeting to determine if the course is a good fit. Then, if needed, either you may either transfer your enrollment to a different course or submit a drop request by emailing Student Services at unex-reg@ucsd.edu. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes on the course page in our website, and you can also find it in My Extension by clicking on “My Courses” and then the name of the course.
You may take a course for one of three options: Letter Grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. If you are taking a course towards a certificate you must complete your courses for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter Grade) and receive a C-/Pass or higher grade. Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for Credit will not count towards certificate requirements.
The courses in this program are post-baccalaureate, professional-level, credit bearing courses. Credit earned in these courses may lead to the award of a formal certificate by UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies or may be applied toward an academic degree or professional credential, subject to the approval of the receiving institution.

If you wish to transfer credit, it is your responsibility to confer with the receiving institution before enrolling, as each individual academic institution decides whether or not to accept Extension’s credits.
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution. Students should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.

Quarter to Semester Unit Conversion

If the receiving institution operates on a semester system, credits will be converted to semester hours during their evaluation. As a general rule, quarter credits are converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, if the student completed a course worth 4 quarter credits at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, the course would be worth 4 ÷ 1.5 = 2.66 semester credits.
Yes, you may take any course in this program without registering for the certificate, provided you have fulfilled any and all prerequisites for the course.
Two unit courses run for 6-7 weeks; three unit courses run for 9-10 weeks; four unit
courses run 10-11 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the course page on our website.
Please visit the course page on our website to see when courses are typically offered. You can also see a full program schedule by clicking on the “View Schedule” button under the “Courses” section on this page.
Each student has their own learning style so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two hours studying for every hour you spend in-class. For online courses, students should plan to spend approximately 8-10 hours per week viewing lectures and completing coursework.
The online courses are asynchronous: they have a start and end date but all the lessons are uploaded on Canvas, our online learning management system, so you can learn at your own pace. However, please be aware that you may have weekly assignments, quizzes, or tests that are due on specific dates.
The program courses are taught by seasoned professionals and overseen by an advisory board of leaders in the field. You can view the advisor list under the “Advisors” section on this certificate page. You can find information about a course instructor, including a biography and credentials, on the course page.
Each instructor has his/her own preferred method of communication and response policy, which will be detailed on the course syllabus. However, most instructors utilize email or the discussion board and will respond within 24-48 hours.
Most courses combine theory with hands-on exercises. For more information about practical experience in any course, visit the course page on our website.
Instructors will post the current text requirements and recommendations on the course page on our website. Please note the textbooks requirements are subject to change every quarter and different instructors may require different books, even if they are teaching the same course in the same quarter, so be sure to check the textbook requirements for the section in which you are enrolling.
Yes, you can order the book(s) any time after enrolling in the course. You may order books through the campus bookstore or online retailers, such as Amazon.com.
Login to your My Extension account and select “Documents” as the top of the page.
Once the course is completed, the instructor has 10 business days to submit your grades. Once grades have been posted, you can view and print them from your MyExtension account.

Advisory Board

Dwight Baker, PhD

Vice President
Advanced R&D

Tristan Carland, PhD

Manager
Q� Solutions

Maria Cavassim Alves, PhD

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist
Illumina

Come Raczy, Ph.D.

Associate Director, Bioinformatics Software Engineering
Illumina

Steve Stelman, PhD

Director
Neurocrine Biosciences

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