Find biomolecular engineering and bioinformatics admissions requirements and general application information.
Undergraduate preparation for admission
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics (BMEB) at UCSC is interdisciplinary and accepts students from a wide variety of backgrounds. A typical cohort includes incoming students from:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
The unifying theme of our research training program is using quantitative approaches to address fundamental questions in biology and biomedical science. BMEB coursework is designed to provide the technical skills in programming and other skills required for independent and advanced scientific discovery.
The admissions committee evaluates applicants based on numerous indicators of potential, which include but are not limited to:
- Evidence of research potential and commitment to research in the statement of purpose
- Previous research experience
- Evidence of research potential as described in letters of recommendation
- GPA
- Grades in relevant undergraduate courses
- Evidence of quantitative and analytical skills
- Evidence of ability to communicate in writing
- Indications of special expertise, experience, or cultural perspectives that you might contribute to our program
- Performance in interviews (Ph.D. applicants)
Admissions process
After evaluation of each file, the admissions committee ranks the applicants. The number of offers made can fluctuate from year to year, depending on the relative strength and size of the applicant pool, and resources available.
The BMEB program is committed to supporting all of its Ph.D. graduate students for the five years of a normal degree. Therefore, our total number of Ph.D. offers is also guided by the resources (e.g. teaching assistantships (TA’s), graduate student researcher (GSR) positions, fellowships, etc.) that we expect to have available. The top-ranked Ph.D. applicants are invited for a formal interview visit organized by the admissions committee prior to any offer. Interviews for all recruits are held over a two-day period in late January, where prospective students meet with faculty, current students, and recruits.
Applicants to the master’s program do not receive any guaranteed funding. Thus, admission decisions to the M.S. are determined based on the strength of the application and applicant pool alone.
4+1 Pathway to BME
The bioinformatics concentration of the Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics (BME) B.S. provides excellent preparation for a graduate program in bioinformatics. We offer a contiguous B.S./M.S. degree pathway that allows those students to complete the M.S. somewhat sooner than students with a less-tailored preparation.
To apply for the combined pathway, students apply to the M.S. program through the normal graduate admission process in the fall of their senior year. If admitted into the graduate program, they are automatically included in the combined 4+1 pathway.
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Application materials
Application fee (domestic): $135
Application fee (international): $155
Application requirements:
- GPA (minimum 3.0)
- Resume/CV
- Letters of recommendation (3)
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS (non-native english speakers only)
- Personal history statement
- Statement of purpose
- GRE scores are no longer required