Biological Data Science, MS
Analytics, Applied Math, Bioinformatics, Biology, Computational Biology, Computational Mathematics, Computational Science, Data Mining, Data Science, Data analysis and mining, Datasets, Science, approved for STEM-OPT extension, life sciences, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), statistics
Combine biology and data science to solve today's biggest challenges. As a biologist, you can sharpen your ability to analyze complex data sets. As a data scientist, you can deepen your understanding of life sciences. Learn from faculty who unite both disciplines through research, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.
The Master of Science program in biological data science provides students with a foundation in biology and computational methods along with hands-on training through practical projects at the interface of the natural and mathematical sciences.
Students learn to manipulate big data, including the generation and analysis of data using statistical and computational toolsets. They use their analytical skills in ecological, environmental, toxicological and other biological applications. The program incorporates multiple levels of experiential learning to ensure students gain critical-thinking skills in addition to core competencies.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West Valley or Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share 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.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
33 credit hours - course-based master's, or
33 credit hours and a thesis, or
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (3 credit hours of ACO 593, BIO 593, LSC 593, MAT 593 or MNS 593), or
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (6 credit hours of ACO 593, BIO 593, LSC 593, MAT 593 or MNS 593)
COURSE-BASED OPTION Required Core (9 credit hours) Applied Computing Coursework (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (9 credit hours) Select Biological Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology: Electives (6 credit hours) OPTIONS WITH CULMINATING EXPERIENCE Required Core (9 credit hours) Applied Computing Coursework (9 credit hours) Restricted Electives (9 credit hours) Select Biological Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology: Electives (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) ACO 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) ACO 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information Restricted electives for this program are offered in two categories: Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science, and Biological Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology. Students are required to complete nine credit hours of restricted elective coursework by taking three courses. These courses may all be selected from a single category or combined from both, depending on the student's academic interests and career goals. Course selection depends on availability and delivery format. Campus students must complete LSC 547, plus two additional Applied Computing courses. Online students must take three Applied Computing courses of their choice. A list of preapproved elective courses is provided in the program handbook, and faculty members may approve other courses on a case-by-case basis. Campus students typically select either an applied project or a thesis, based on their interests and career goals. Students selecting a six-credit-hour experience will not complete elective coursework. Students selecting a three-credit-hour experience will take three credit hours of elective coursework. Online students will pursue coursework only, maximizing flexibility and ensuring course content aligns with their goals.
LSC 540 Foundations of Biostatistics (3)
LSC 541 Advanced Biostatistics and Machine Learning (3)
MNS 521 Artificial Intelligence Technologies (3)
ACO 501 Database Systems and Cloud Computing (3)
LSC 562 Applied Mathematics Techniques in Biology (3)
LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3)
LSC 598 Geospatial Data Science (3)
LSC 519 Computational Methods in Environmental Health (3)
LSC 547 Wet Laboratory Experience (3)
Select Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science:
BMI 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3)
BST 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3)
BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3)
BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics
MAT 422 Mathematical Methods in Data Science
STP 470 Predictive Analytics (3)
TPH 550 Data Science for Public Health (3)
TPH 554 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Public Health (3)
MNS 592 Research
BMD 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3)
BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3)
BMI 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3)
FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3)
LSC 555 Molecular Biology (3)
LSC 556 Evolutionary Biology (3)
LSC 598 Biotech Startup Foundations (3)
LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3)
LSC 598 Marine Conservation Policy and Management (3)
MCB 540 Functional Genomics (3)
TPH 551 Public Health Technologies (3)
MNS 592 Research
LSC 540 Foundations of Biostatistics (3)
LSC 541 Advanced Biostatistics and Machine Learning (3)
MNS 521 Artificial Intelligence Technologies (3)
ACO 501 Database Systems and Cloud Computing (3)
LSC 562 Applied Mathematics Techniques in Biology (3)
LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3)
LSC 598 Geospatial Data Science (3)
LSC 519 Computational Methods in Environmental Health (3)
LSC 547 Wet Laboratory Experience (3)
Select Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science:
BMI 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3)
BST 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3)
BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3)
BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics
MAT 422 Mathematical Methods in Data Science
STP 470 Predictive Analytics (3)
TPH 550 Data Science for Public Health (3)
TPH 554 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Public Health (3)
MNS 592 Research
BMD 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3)
BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3)
BMI 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3)
FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3)
LSC 555 Molecular Biology (3)
LSC 556 Evolutionary Biology (3)
LSC 598 Biotech Startup Foundations (3)
LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3)
LSC 598 Marine Conservation Policy and Management (3)
MCB 540 Functional Genomics (3)
TPH 551 Public Health Technologies (3)
MNS 592 Research
BIO 593 Applied Project (3 or 6)
LSC 593 Applied Project (3 or 6)
MAT 593 Applied Project (3 or 6)
MNS 593 Applied Project (3 or 6)
BIO 599 Thesis (6)
LSC 599 Thesis (6)
MAT 599 Thesis (6)
MNS 599 Thesis (6)
This master's degree offers a course-based option. This option is designed for individuals aiming to deepen their knowledge across various areas of biological data science without the primary emphasis on conducting original research. Although students may fulfill degree requirements through coursework alone, the program also offers a culminating experience, such as a thesis or applied project, that delivers an advanced research opportunity. This option is particularly valuable for those aspiring for careers in research-oriented biological sciences or planning to continue their academic journey at the doctoral level. Students interested in strengthening their research expertise are highly encouraged to pursue either the thesis or the applied project.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field such as biology, mathematics, statistics or computing, as well as unrelated fields from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- professional resume
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Applicants whose undergraduate record, academic preparation or area of study may not closely align with the program's requirements are encouraged to submit the names of up to two recommenders who can speak to their academic ability, preparation or professional potential.
It is preferred that letters of recommendation, when submitted, be from faculty members who are familiar with the applicant's work. If faculty recommendations are not available, letters of recommendation from individuals in supervisory or relevant professional roles are acceptable.The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals.
Depending on the applicant's educational background, additional courses may be required.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Evaluate biological data with statistical tools to derive meaningful insights.
- Create experimental and observational data to test scientific hypotheses
- Effectively communicate complex biological data and data-driven insights through oral presentations to a general audience
The proliferation of big data sets generated in biological science fields has dramatically increased the demand for individuals with solid skill sets needed to manipulate and interpret this data.
Graduates are ready to enter one of the fastest-growing job markets to work with consulting firms and government agencies, as well as nongovernmental organizations, in data science, informatics, data analytics, database development and mathematical modeling of biological systems that are relevant to a variety of industries. They are well suited for employment in positions such as:
- bioinformatics data scientist
- chemical biology data scientist
- clinical data analyst
- computational biologist
- data engineer or data mining engineer
- database developer
- fisheries scientist, dairy scientist or animal scientist
- genomic scientist
- natural resources data scientist
- pharmaceutical scientist
Graduates also are ready to seek advanced professional or graduate degrees, such as in medical, dental, veterinary and public health fields.
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences
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FAB N101
ncgradadvising@asu.edu
602-543-3000
Admission deadlines
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
