Molecular & Biomedical Sciences

4+1 M.S. Program in Bioinformatics with Northeastern University

Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field that studies fundamental biological questions through the organization, integration, and analysis of increasingly large and complex datasets. The application of high-throughput DNA sequencing technology, proteomics, high-resolution microscopy, and other technologies has transformed biology into a data-intensive field. The demand for people with bioinformatics skills, especially graduate training, is high in industry and academia. The 4+1 M.S in Bioinformatics offered jointly between The University of Maine and the Roux Institute at Northeastern University gives students the opportunity to earn a B.S. from UMaine and an M.S. degree in Bioinformatics from Northeastern University at an accelerated rate after completing their undergraduate degree. The Roux Institute at Northeastern University is a new graduate education and research campus in Portland, Maine that was founded by a generous, $100 million investment from David and Barbara Roux as a mechanism for building the technology and life science ecosystem in Maine.

Northeastern University’s M.S. in Bioinformatics program provides robust cross-disciplinary training featuring a co-op experience in an industrial or academic setting. The M.S. program provides training in both the life sciences and computer sciences through online courses. Northeastern’s program currently has a 94% employment rate within three years of graduation. Students in the 4+1 program take specific University of Maine courses during their junior and senior years to accelerate their graduate studies at Northeastern.

Program of Study at the University of Maine

Students will take 12 credit hours of courses while completing their undergraduate degree at the University of Maine.

Required Courses

• BMB 597 – Special Topics in Biochemistry – Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
• BMB 502 – Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits)

A Least 6 Credit Hours from the Following Courses

• BMB 597 – Special Topics in Biochemistry – Advanced Biochemistry (3 credits)
• BMB 598 – Special Topics in Microbiology – Introductory Immunology (3 credits) and Immunology Laboratory (1 credit)
• BMB 598 – Special Topics in Microbiology – Infectious Disease (3 credits) and Infectious Disease Laboratory (2 credits)
• BMB 520 – Image Analysis (3 credits)

Additional Recommended Elective Courses

• COS 125 Introduction to Problem Solving Using Computer Programming
• COS 225 Object-Oriented Design, Programming, and Data Structures
• COS 226 Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms

Students admitted to the program must maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA, and complete their B.S. degree to gain full admission to the M.S. program.

Students may count twelve course credits taken during their undergraduate senior year toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Furthermore, the cost of earning the M.S. degree is reduced because students pay undergraduate tuition rather than graduate tuition for the double-counted courses taken in their senior year.

The 4+1 is a selective program designed for an intensive M.S. degree. It is intended for students seeking an advanced credential preparing them for a job in bioinformatics or related fields or for a doctoral program in bioinformatics or related fields.

Core Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the 4+1 program earn a B.S. degree at the end of their senior year and graduate with the rest of their class. In the 4+1 option, the M.S. is earned after the fifth year based on the combined graduate work completed in the senior year and in the additional (fifth) year as a graduate student. Students will take twelve course credit hours that count toward both the B.S. and the M.S (see Program of Study at University of Maine). Only courses passed with a grade of B or higher will be counted toward the M.S. degree.

Co-op Experience

As part of the M.S. degree in Bioinformatics at Northeastern University, students must complete a mandatory co-op experience, which is typically met by working full-time at an industrial or academic partner.  The co-op can be completed as early as the summer after undergraduate degree completion from University of Maine and starting masters-level course work at Northeastern University.

Admission

Students apply for the 4+1 track during their junior year at the University of Maine (at least 60 but no more than 100 completed credit hours applicable toward a B.S. degree). Students must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher. Applicants should identify a graduate faculty member from Molecular and Biomedical Sciences (or a closely related academic unit) willing to serve as an undergraduate mentor prior to the student’s admission to the 4+1 program and through the student’s completion of the B.S.

Students who maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher and submit a strong faculty reference will receive automatic conditional admission to the M.S. program. Students must have maintained a 3.2 GPA or higher through the completion of the B.S. degree to gain full admission to the M.S. program and be allowed to double-count credits. Students should express an intent to matriculate into the master’s program by February 1 of their senior year.

Students who meet the above requirements must matriculate into the M.S. program within three months of receiving their B.S. degree to apply the double-counted credits, and must complete the M.S. within 15 months. Under extraordinary circumstances, a student may petition to delay matriculation up to an additional 12 months.

Tuition

UMaine undergraduate tuition is charged for all graduate courses taken in the junior and senior years. University of Maine students who successfully complete the coursework to enter the Roux Institute with advanced standing will receive significant scholarship support when they matriculate into the master’s program. The typical scholarship award will cover half the cost of the master’s degree.