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Statistics Majors

Bioinformatics Option for Statistics Majors

Goal         Curriculum         Sequence         Advisors

Purpose and Goals

With the advent of genomics and proteomics, the biological sciences are evolving from mainly experimental sciences performed at the bench to one in which large databases of information, probabilistic models and statistical analysis techniques play a significant role. Typical probabilistic models include variance components, hidden Markov models, Bayesian networks, and coalescent. Typical statistical methods include maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, Monte Carlo Markov chains, and some methods of classification and clustering. Stochastic modeling and statistical methods are applied to a wide range of problems from Biology, such as mapping quantitative trait loci, analyzing gene expression data, sequence alignment, and reconstructing evolutionary trees. The quantitative biology concentration within the Statistics major will provide students with a working knowledge of computing and the biological sciences in order to pursue research in applied mathematical and statistical methodology.
There is a need at Hunter College to prepare and train a new generation of mathematicians and statisticians capable of using computational analysis to solve important engineering problems arising from the new frontiers of biology and medicine at the molecular level. This curriculum will give Statistics students the necessary background in Biology and Computer Science that they need for a working understanding of the subject-matter, while putting a strong emphasis on a rigorous methodological training. These students will be well prepared for bioengineering careers in bioinformatics, the pharmaceutical industry, and the biotechnology industry. They will also be well prepared for graduate studies in the mathematics and statistics of bioinformatics.

Statistics QuBi concentrators will be able to explore, summarize, produce and interpret graphical representations of as well as implement probabilistic models and make statistical inference from biological/omics data.

The Department of Mathematics & Statistics also has an MA program in Statistics and Applied Mathematics with track III in Bioinformatics

Curriculum

Major Entry Requirements – 8 credits

MATH 150 (4 cr.) Calculus with Analytic Geometry I 
MATH 155 (4 cr.) Calculus with Analytic Geometry II

Major Core Curriculum – 29 credits

MATH 250 (4 cr.) Calculus with Analytic Geometry III
MATH 254 (3 cr.) Ordinary Differential Equations -or- MATH 354 Dynamical Systems and Chaos
MATH 260 (4 cr.) Linear Algebra
STAT 212  (3 cr.) Discrete Probability
STAT 213 (3 cr.) Introduction to Applied Statistics
STAT 214 (3 cr.) Data Analysis Using Statistical Software
STAT 311 (3 cr.) Probability Theory
STAT 312 (3 cr.) Stochastic Processes
STAT 313 (3 cr.) Introduction to Mathematical Statistics
Students are normally required to take an additional 3-credit course in statistics, mathematics or computer science approved by the undergraduate statistics advisor. In order to pursue the Bioinformatics sequence, students are required instead to complete the following computer science sequence:

Computing Component – 6 credits

CSCI 132     Practical UNIX and Programming (3 cr.) (NEW)
CSCI 232     Relational Database & SQL (3 cr.) (NEW)

Students will also take the following natural science courses, which will fulfill the
requirements for a minor in Biology or in Chemistry:

Chemistry Component – 12 credits

CHEM 102  General Chemistry I (3 cr.)
CHEM 104  General Chemistry II (3 cr.)
CHEM 106  General Chemistry Lab (3 cr.)
CHEM 222  Organic Chemistry (3 cr.)
Note that CHEM 102 and CHEM 104-106 are GER/2/E courses.  The GER/2/E block consists of at least 7 credits.

Biology Component– 12 credits

BIOL 100  Principles of Biology I (4.5 cr.)
BIOL 203  Molecular Biology and Genetics (4.5 cr.)
BIOL 425  Computational Molecular Biology (3 cr.)
TOTAL CREDITS – 67 CREDITS 

Sample Course Sequence*

*Please see a QuBi advisor for individualized course plans
Fall (Year 1) – 7 credits

GER/1/B: MATH 150
GER/2/E: CHEM 102
Spring (Year 1) – 10 credits

MATH 155
GER/2/E: CHEM 104-106

Fall (Year 2) – 11.5 credits

STAT 212   
MATH  250
BIOL 100

Spring (Year 2) – 10 credits        

MATH 254 or 354   
MATH 260   
STAT 213

Fall (Year 3) – 9 credits

STAT 214  
STAT 311
CSCI 132

Spring (Year 3) – 9 credits        

STAT 312
CSCI 232
CHEM 222

Fall (Year 4) – 4.5 credits

BIOL 203


Spring (Year 4) – 6 credits        

BIOL 425
STAT 313

Faculty Adviser

Dr. Ronald Neath, (212) 396-6044, rneath@hunter.cuny.edu

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