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Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates computer science and biology to research, develop, and apply computational tools and approaches to manage and process large sets of biological data. The Bioinformatics career focuses on creating software tools to store, manage, interpret, and analyze data at the genome, proteome, transcriptome, and metabalome levels. Primary investigations consist of integrating information from DNA and protein sequences and protein structure and function. Some Characteristics of Bioinformatics Majors: Professional: ♦ Advanced math & computer programming skills American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) ♦ Interest in molecular biology & genetics International Society for Computational Biology ♦ Data analysis skills Midsouth Computational Biology & Bioinformatics ♦ Desire for intellectual growth Society ♦ Interest in government, academic, or private jobs ♦ Working in a growing field Careers in Bioinformatics: ♦ Precision and attention to details Employment: ♦ Inquisitive problem solver Bioinformatics jobs exist in biomedical, molecular medicine, energy development, biotechnology, What You Gain from Studying Bioinformatics: environmental restoration, homeland security, Knowledge: forensic investigations, academia, agricultural, and The Bioinformatics major offers training that builds a animal science fields. Many entry level solid foundation in chemistry, biology, computer bioinformatics jobs accept a Bachelor’s degree. You science, math and statistics. This training will enable can advance from entry level to higher-level students to communicate fluently with experts and positions with additional education. provide the skills necessary to apply computing tools to contemporary problems in biology and medicine. Need Bachelor’s Degree Need Further Education Students can pursue medical, dental, and other Agriculturist Epidemiologist health-professional schools and careers in research, Bioinformatics analyst, Medical illustrator academia, government, pharmaceutical, medical, or programmer Physician biotechnology sectors. Biologist (Fisheries, Professor marine, plant, wildlife) Programmer Skills: Biomedical researcher Public health ♦ Critical thinking and problem solving Biophysicist Research specialist ♦ Work independently and on a team Biostatistician Statistician ♦ Multitask and extract data Biotechnologist ♦ Proficiency in computer languages Clinical lab tech Computational biologist ♦ Software design Computer engineer ♦ Experience w/ Bioinformatics tools & resources Geneticist ♦ Oral and written communication Genetic engineer Technical writer Participate in Student & Professional Organizations: Technician Student (Sponsored by Bio. Sci. Dept): Biology Club Tri-Beta Honors Society Learn More About Bioinformatics Careers: Research Biological Sciences Advisors: Langley A258 Various opportunities exist for students to www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising participate in research experiences outside of the classroom to develop an understanding of inquiry Computer Science Advisors: 6145 Sennott Sq. based research. Research can be performed on www.cs.pitt.edu/undergrad/bioinformatics/bsbi- campus during the term for credit or no credit, or advise_policies.php during the summer as part of a summer undergraduate research experience program ♦ Join the Bio. Newsletter for announcements (REU, fellowship, co-op) on or off-campus. Check ♦ Get advising info. before & after declaring major deadlines early. ♦ Meet w/ Bio. Sci. or Computer Sci. (CS) advisors ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research ♦ Inquire about research & internship opportunities ♦ www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/our/research ♦ Find us on Facebook - Univ. of Pitt-Bioinformatics ♦ www.undergradresearch.pitt.edu/research- opportunities/ nd Career Development: WPU 2 Floor ♦ people.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/Symp/bioinformatics.h www.careers.pitt.edu/ tm ♦ Meet with a Career Counselor (in person or virtual) Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) ♦ Take interest inventories and self-assessment tests Being an undergraduate teaching assistant is a ♦ Assistance w/ CVs, resumes, & cover letters terrific way to share your knowledge, gain ♦ Internship placement (guaranteed) confidence, and prepare yourself for leadership ♦ Employment search – via Future Links & Pitt roles. Many courses utilize UTAs, and you should ♦ Job shadowing program contact the instructor directly. ♦ Career fairs www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/uta What You Can Do Now: Places Bioinformatics Majors Have Interned: ♦ Gain research experience by teaming with a Biology Drug Discovery Institute or CS professor to conduct research Pitt Dept. of Biomedical Informatics Pitt Dept. of Computational & Systems Biology ♦ Get an internship at NIH, CDC, computer company, translational science dept., biomedical research Tutoring & Study Resources facility, cancer center, or hospital Academic Resource Center (ARC) ♦ Get a job in a lab, research hospital, or IT Calculus & Statistics Labs company Fish Bowl – Chemistry Dept. Learning Communities – Various residence halls Ways To Acquire Skills in Bioinformatics: Math Assistance Center Internships Writing Center Internships provide hands-on experience in an area that interests you as a potential career. To find a biology This handout provides a sample of skills, jobs, and related internship speak with a Bio. Sci. advisor or a tips for individuals pursuing a degree in this Career Development advisor, and visit the links below. major. It is not an exhaustive listing, but it gives insight into a career field that would employ the ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research/outsi skills and knowledge gained through this major. de-pitt Contact the Biological Sciences advisors if you ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research- have any questions. internships/starting-intern .
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