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Computational Life Sciences (Certificate)

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  3. Computational Life Sciences (Certificate)

At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

  • Location:
    Tempe campus,
    or
    online
  • Additional Program Fee: No
  • Second Language Requirement: No
Do you have a curious mind and a passion for solving problems in new ways? You can make a powerful impact in today's fast-changing research landscape by using new technologies to mine life-changing answers from science data.

Program Description

In the computational life sciences certificate program, students discover a burgeoning new field where huge leaps in processing technologies have thrown open the doors for new research techniques and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Students engage with a suite of tools and approaches that enable them to uncover correlations, glean new understanding and help solve scientific problems.

Using their mastery of these new techniques, students examine data generated from a range of fields, including ecology, botany, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology and animal behavior. Students investigate topics such as DNA, RNA, protein, imaging, conservation and historical data, and explore the ethical implications of collecting, storing, analyzing and sharing the results of computational life science data.


Program Requirements

The certificate in computational life sciences requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, of which at least 12 credit hours must be upper division. The core consists of one computing course and one ethics course. A minimum of nine credit hours in elective courses complete the certificate. The computing course not used toward the core requirements may be used toward the elective credit hours. A grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher is required for all courses used toward the certificate.
Required Courses -- 6 credit hours
BIO 312: Bioethics (HUAD OR HU) or PHI 320: Bioethics (HUAD OR HU) or BIO 316: History of Biology: Conflicts and Controversies (HUAD OR H) or HPS 330: History of Biology: Conflicts and Controversies (HUAD OR H) or BIO 317: History of Science II (HUAD OR HU & H) or HPS 323: History of Science II (HUAD OR HU & H) or BIO 318: History of Medicine (HUAD OR HU & H) or HPS 331: History of Medicine (HUAD OR HU & H) or BIO 416: Biomedical Research Ethics (L) or HPS 410: Biomedical Research Ethics (L) (3)
BIO 439: Computing for Research or BIO 440: Functional Genomics or MBB 440: Functional Genomics (3)
Electives -- 9 credit hours
BIO 355: Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology (CS) or MAT 355: Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology (CS) or MBB 355: Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology (CS) (3)
BIO 411: Quantitative Methods in Conservation and Ecology (4)
BIO 415: Statistical Models for Biology (QTRS OR CS) (4)
BIO 439: Computing for Research (3)
BIO 440: Functional Genomics or MBB 440: Functional Genomics (3)
BIO 479: Data Analysis and Visualization in R (3)
BIO 494: Computational Genomic Analysis (3)
BIO 494: Data Analysis in Neuroscience (3)
BIO 498: Programming for biologists (3)
BME 494: Systems Biology of Disease (3)
BMI 311: Modeling Biomedical Knowledge (3)
BMI 312: Modeling Biomedical Data (3)
BMI 330: Topics in Translational Bioinformatics (3)
DAT 301: Exploring Data in R and Python (4)
GIS 469: Multivariate Statistics for Social Sciences or SOC 469: Multivariate Statistics for Social Sciences (3)
GIS 471: Spatial Statistics for Geography and Planning (3)
MAT 353: Mathematics and Cancer (3)
MAT 451: Mathematical Modeling (CS) (3)

If not used as the required computing course, students may include BIO 439 or BIO 440 as a certificate elective.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Learning Outcomes

  • Use bioinformatics tools and command line bioinformatics tools, and write simple computer scripts to find, retrieve, and organize various types of biological data.
  • Interpret the ethical, legal, medical, and social implications of biological data.
  • Able to summarize key computational concepts, such as algorithms and relational databases, and their applications in the life sciences, and apply statistical concepts used in computational life sciences.

Career Outlook

The computational life sciences certificate program provides students with data interpretation skills and experience using new computational approaches and programs. When combined with a major program of study, graduates will be in high demand for roles identifying and interpreting data in a variety of fields, including ecology, medicine, botany, evolutionary biology and animal behavior.

Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Bioinformatics Scientists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Bioinformatics Technicians

  • Growth: 6.2%
  • Median Salary*: 71700
  Bright Outlook

Biologists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Climate Change Policy Analysts

  • Growth: 6.1%
  • Median Salary*: 76480
  Bright Outlook

Computer and Information Research Scientists

  • Growth: 22.7%
  • Median Salary*: 136620
  Bright Outlook

Database Administrators

  • Growth: 7%
  • Median Salary*: 99890
  Bright Outlook

Geneticists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Natural Sciences Managers

  • Growth: 4.8%
  • Median Salary*: 144440
  Bright Outlook

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

  • Growth: 3.9%
  • Median Salary*: 87300

Software Developers

  • Growth: 25.7%
  • Median Salary*: 127260
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

Bright OutlookBright Outlook | Green Occupation Green Occupation

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.



Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

  • SOLS.advising@asu.edu
  • 480/727-6277


Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.

Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.

Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
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