Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics
Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics (BIG) is an area of study within the Division of Medical Sciences. Prospective students apply through GSAS; in the online application, select “Division of Medical Sciences” as your program choice and select "Bioinformatics and Integrative Genomics" in the Area of Study menu.
BIG is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional application instructions.
This program trains you to be future leaders in the growing fields of bioinformatics and genomics. You will receive rigorous training in both computational methods and biological principles to conduct original research in the development of novel algorithms, models, and technologies to address fundamental biological questions.
You will be in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, which includes some of the country’s leading hospitals, as well as in the proximity of the booming biotech industry in Cambridge and Boston.
Recent student theses include “Mathematical Methods for Single Cell Analysis,” “Investigating the Contribution of Rare Coding Variance to Phenotypes in Human Complex Traits,” and “Exploring Somatic Mutations in the Human Brain: Tracing the Origins of Cancer and Schizophrenia.”
Graduates of the program often go on to postdoctoral positions and then to faculty positions at prestigious institutions. Many others go on to careers in biotech, especially to exciting start-ups in the Boston area.
Standardized Tests
GRE General: Optional
GRE Subject: Optional
iBT TOEFL minimum score: 100
IELTS minimum score: 7