Bioinformatics, which combines biology with computer science, is one of the fastest growing disciplines in biological research and in computer science research today. This discipline arose out of a need to rapidly expand and critique large volumes of biological data, especially in the area of genomics. Modern biological and biomedical research involves a significant informatics component.  Traditionally, computer programmers have been educated in Computer Science, and biologists have been educated in Biological Sciences or Environmental and Plant Biology. But, it is becoming increasingly evident that to meet the growing need for people working in biological research and industry, a plan of study that focuses on the interdisciplinary aspects of bioinformatics is crucial. 

The certificate program is designed to address a need for students to understand how computer programs can be used/developed to analyze the massive amounts of data currently being generated in almost all areas of biological study.