Overview
Our interdisciplinary M.S. in Computational Biology program is designed to provide students with expertise in the leading quantitative methods underlying modern biomedical science. The program is an in-depth response to the ever-growing need for computational methods and mathematical models in processing, analyzing, and interpreting the vast amounts of biological data generated by high-throughput techniques. Computer simulations are required to understand and predict the dynamics of complex biological systems. Precision medicine, drug development, and cancer research are only a few among the many thriving fields increasingly relying on quantitative genomics, bioinformatics, and systems biology.
The M.S. in Computational Biology (MS-CB) presents a unique, rigorous training program, equipping students with theoretical understanding and practical mastery of state-of-the-art applications of computational approaches in biology and medicine. Our faculty from Weill Cornell Medicine, Sloan-Kettering Institute, and Cornell Tech are world-class leaders in computational biology research and applications.
Upon graduation, with extensive training and field-specific, curricular workshops in career development, students will be prepared to launch successful professional careers at the forefront of data analytics, bioinformatics, and computer modeling, for example in the pharmaceutical or biotech industries. Likewise, for those interested in pursuing further education in computational biology at the PhD level, this degree will attest to their preparation and enhance their competitiveness.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and includes training in cutting-edge bioinformatics, statistics, 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.
Program features include:
- 18 months duration, full-time study
- cohesive interdisciplinary educational program
- individual mentored research project
- career development training
Faculty
Please see here for a complete list of faculty
Tuition, Fees and Scholarships
Please refer to the student services website for program-specific details on tuition and fees. Please note that this tuition cost and fees are set for the current academic year and are subject to change.
A small number of partial scholarships are available. Applicants applying by the priority deadline are automatically considered for these merit-based scholarships.
Program Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. Applicants must have completed undergraduate level coursework in calculus, linear algebra, probability theory or statistics, and computer programming.
We seek applications from students with diverse undergraduate degrees and welcome applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds.
Admissions
All application forms and supporting documents can be submitted online. You will be asked to submit or upload:
- Personal Statement describing your background and specific interest in the MS-CB program.
- Résumé/C.V.
- Three letters of recommendation. Letters must be submitted electronically as instructed through the online application.
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
- Domestic Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions may be submitted for application review. Official transcripts will be requested from accepted students prior to matriculation.
- Foreign Transcripts - Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S., including Canada, must be transcribed and evaluated by World Education Services (WES), SpanTran, IEE or a similar evaluation service.
- If using WES, please select the WES Basic Course-by-Course evaluation and choose "Cornell University - Manhattan NY" as the recipient with "Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences" as the School/Division
- Evaluations are accepted only from current members of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Official course-by-course evaluations are required for application review.
- $80 application fee
- Results of the General Graduate Record (GRE) examination are optional. The Institution Code Number is 2119.
- Scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. Test scores are valid for two years after the test date. To see if you qualify for an exemption, see below.
- To submit your official TOEFL scores, please go to http://www.ets.org/toefl and request your scores to be sent to Weill Cornell Graduate School using code 2119. Please monitor your application to ensure that your scores are populated by ETS.
- IELTS results must be submitted directly via e-delivery to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”
- Results for the Duolingo English Test, applicants must submit their results directly through Duolingo to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences".
Application Timeline & Deadlines
The application site for Fall 2024 admission is open.
Priority deadline for applications: February 1, 2024.
Applications submitted after the priority deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis based on space availability until May 1.
English Language Proficiency Exam Exemptions
The English language proficiency requirement may be waived if an applicant meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Citizenship/Permanent Residency
- If the applicant is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or its territories (e.g., Puerto Rico), or a citizen of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, they are exempt.
- Applicants who are citizens of all other countries, including India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc. are not exempt and must submit English language proficiency exam scores.
- English-Language Instruction
- Applicants who, at the time of enrollment, have studied in full-time status for at least two academic years within the last five years in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, or with English language instruction in Canada or South Africa, are exempt.
- Applicants must submit a transcript that shows they studied in one of the approved locations, and that the academic program was at least two years in length.
- Even if English was the language of instruction of the course or institution, it must have been in one of the eligible locations, otherwise the applicant is not exempt from the requirement.
Upcoming Events
2023
September
September 15, 2023
Princeton University Fall 2023 Hire Tigers Career Fair - Princeton, NJ
September 27, 2023
Cornell Graduate & Professional School Day - Ithaca, NY
October
October 26, 2023 - October 28, 2023
SACNAS National Diversity in STEM conference - Portland, OR
November
November 15, 2023 - November 18, 2023
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS), Phoenix, AZ
2024
March
March 14. 2024 - March 16, 2024
The 2024 Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, Washington, D.C.
