Applied Bioinformatics

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 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.

There will be a $95 fee upon acceptance into the program.

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, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents. The tuition is the same for all students. If you have questions about how enrolling in courses may or may not affect your visa status, please contact our International Department at ipinfo@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-6784.

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, internships, or career services assistance.

• UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies offers continuing education loans through UC Approved Lenders. Each institution offers lowcompetitive interest rates and flexible payment options. You are also encouraged to contact your personalfinancial institution about possible lending solutions. Direct links to UC Approved Lenders can be found on ourwebsite’s Financial Resources page.
• The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a comprehensive range of employment and trainingservices in partnership with state and local agencies/organizations. More information is available on theirwebsite at edd.ca.gov.
• Career Centers Located throughout San Diego County offer their communities comprehensive employment andtraining 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 usedfor 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.

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 spacebecomes 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 besuccessful 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 one week after the start of the course. This allows you to enroll in a course and participate in the course for approximately one week 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. 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. You should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.

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 approximately 6-7 weeks; three unit courses run for approximately 9-10 weeks. For exact course dates of upcoming sections, visit the webpage of the course you are interested in taking 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 “Download PDF” button under the “Courses” section on the certificate 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 to 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. Generally, the instructors are all working professionals in the industry with at least a master’s level education in their field, with many having a Ph.D. You can view the advisor list under the “Advisors” section on the 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 My Extension account.