Bioinformatics, B.S.

Why major in bioinformatics at Whitworth?

• Conduct research with professors. Students are encouraged to participate in cross-disciplinary research opportunities with Whitworth professors as part of the major's strong research program.
• Customize your major. As a bioinformatics major at Whitworth, you have the flexibility to choose upper-division elective courses from biology, biochemistry and mathematics depending on your goals and interests.
• Adapt to a changing world. Equip yourself with skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines to open a choice of future career paths.
• Take courses in Robinson Science Hall, Whitworth's landmark academic building that features state-of-the-art laboratories and instrumentation.
• Connect your faith or worldview to your learning through classroom discussions of social and ethical issues raised by technologies such as CRISPR for gene editing and AI for protein design or healthcare applications.
• Participate in a community that cares. As a department, we get to know each other, have fun and build community through events like Community Building Week where students develop technical skills and projects for community partners.
• Get support from start to finish. Many entry-level courses have experienced student teaching assistants to support peer learning beyond the classroom.
• Become who you're meant to be.

Ask our faculty

Our bioinformatics grads make a difference (and get jobs)

Bioinformaticians can pursue a broad array of career and educational paths. Jobs are available for programmers, data analysts and, with graduate training, senior-level scientists and researchers at private and public research institutions. Whitworth grads seeking advanced degrees are well-suited for programs in bioinformatics, computer science, computational chemistry and other related fields.

Recent job placements include:

• Kristi Shaka, graduate research assistant, Whitworth School of Business; cofounder, Pacific Microdevices Corp., Spokane
• Andrew Dodge, biostatistician, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
• Danjuma Quarless, associate director, AbbVie Ventures, San Francisco

Our recent bioinformatics grads further their studies in top programs at institutions including:

• Oregon Health & Science University
• Georgetown University
• St. George's University School of Medicine Oregon
• University of California, San Diego
• University of Washington

Opportunities outside the classroom

• Perform cutting-edge research with professors who are working to solve diseases like cancer and celiac disease. Several faculty members in the computer science, chemistry and biology departments are active in research, and they work with students on projects that require the use of bioinformatics skills. This research occurs both during the school year and over the summer.

• Present your research at professional society conferences or events for students like the Murdock College Science Research Conference and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research Conference.

• Apply for a summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Whitworth science and math majors have recently completed highly competitive REUs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Maine.

• Join an active, student-led ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Club that holds events most months and performs well in programming competitions.

Pack your bags!

Whitworth faculty lead Jan Term study abroad programs in all of the subject areas that comprise the bioinformatics major. Study computer science through the Technology & Culture program, offered every other year in countries like Great Britain or travel throughout Europe on the Math History program or the Chemistry History and Art program. Or serve on a medical mission to Guatemala, offered through the biology department.

What related majors can I explore?

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Physics