M.S. in Computational Biology FAQs

The second half of the 18-month program is dedicated to pursuing an independent research project. Students complete a thesis with a faculty mentor whose research interests align closely with their own. Drawing on the expertise of faculty spanning a wide range of research areas and computational approaches, students pursue original research while gaining substantial experience and proven ability to drive an independent research project.

The research interests of the faculty are varied, and include: 

• Characterizing the spectrum of genetic mutations in human tumors in order to identify biomarkers of cancer progression and drug response
• Developing computational genomic tools for the study of human diseases and cellular development
• Combining Big Data analytics with experimentation to develop entirely new ways to help prevent, diagnose, understand, treat and ultimately cure cancer
• Building multimodal artificial intelligence and computational genomics methods for biomedical images, sequences, and clinical signals 
• Developing integrative computational models to understand the relationship between genomic sequence variation and disease
• Developing systems biology methods to tackle the genotype-to-phenotype problem in cancer evolution
• Integrating computational analysis with innovative sequencing approaches to investigate how HIV genetic diversity drives persistence, drug resistance, and treatment outcomes

For more details on faculty and research, visit the faculty directory. 

Our multidisciplinary curriculum includes courses in bioinformatics, machine learning, computation and simulation, quantitative biology, and genomics. The training emphasizes hands-on computer labs and practical skills to prepare students for careers beyond the classroom: 

• Data Structures and Algorithms for Computational Biology
• Dynamic Models in Biology
• Cellular and Molecular Biology
• Analysis of Next-Generation Sequencing Data
• Functional Interpretation of High-Throughput Data

Visit the full curriculum page for more information. 

Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences is a division of Cornell University, based out of New York City instead of the main campus in Ithaca, New York. Degrees are awarded by Cornell University. 

Weill Cornell began as a collaboration between Weill Cornell Medicine and the Graduate School of Cornell University, and was finalized as the result of an agreement between Weill Cornell Medicine and the Sloan Kettering Institute.

The M.S. in Computational Biology program is unique amongst other programs for its focus on hands-on independent research and its proximity to and emphasis on biomedical/clinical environments and impact. 

A small number of partial scholarships are offered with each admissions cycle. Applicants applying by the priority deadline are automatically considered for these merit-based awards. 

The tuitions cost and fees for the class of 2026 can be viewed on the Student Services website and are subject to change.

The application window opens September 1st. The priority deadline for submitting your application is February 1st, and the final deadline is May 1st. 

For full details, read the admissions requirements. 

Yes. For more specifics on visas and other key details, check out the full services offered for international students by clicking here. 

Approximately one-third of our graduates enter PhD programs directly after graduation. Alumni have pursued doctoral training at Weill Cornell, Columbia University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Washington, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and other leading institutions. 

Approximately half of our graduates launch careers in industry immediately after completing the program. Recent job titles include Data Scientist, Bioinformatician, Quantitative Analyst, and Bioinformatics Engineer. Our alumni have joined a wide range of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare organizations, including Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Tempus, AbbVie, among others.

Some graduates begin their careers as research associates in leading academic laboratories before transitioning to industry or pursuing further training. Alumni have held research positions at a number of institutions, including Weill Cornell and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Serving a community of more than 3,700 alumni, the Office of Alumni Relations offers a broad and growing range of meaningful ways alumni can connect to Weill Cornell Medicine, its current students and to each other.

The Career Services office provides comprehensive, personalized support to help students navigate their professional journeys with confidence through a combination of individualized coaching, targeted workshops, and special events. The office partners closely with faculty, administrators, and student organizations, strategic allies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Rockefeller University, and relevant employers and professional communities to broaden industry exposure, enhance real-world readiness, and champion the exceptional talent of WCGS students as they enter the workforce—whether in academia, industry, or beyond.