About Bioinformatics in University of California San Diego
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Bioengineering: Bioinformatics addresses the flow of the vast amount of information (genetic, metabolic and regulatory) in living systems, providing an integrated understanding of the systems properties of cells and organisms.
Bioengineering: Bioinformatics is one of three Bioinformatics majors that have been developed and offered since fall 2002, by the Departments of Bioengineering, Computer Science and Engineering and the Division of Biological Sciences at UCSD. Students wishing to major in Bioinformatics may enter through any of these departments/Division. Effective fall 2014, the Bioengineering: Bioinformatics major is in "capped" status. This major emphasizes systems engineering and model-based approaches to interpreting, integrating, and using bioinformatics data. It provides training in molecular biology, systems engineering analysis, and mathematical and computer sciences.
Bioinformatics allows a new understanding of cellular functions, protein structure and design, evolutionary biology, regulatory networks, the molecular basis of disease, the generation of novel therapeutics, patient-specific designer drugs, and customized proteins.
GPA (Grade-Point Average) Requirement
To be eligible for admission to UC San Diego, you must earn the following minimum GPAs:
- California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or better) with no grade lower than "C."
- Non-California residents & International applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than "C."
Your GPA is based on the above college preparatory (A-G) courses taken during 10th and 11th grades. Students admitted to UC San Diego have GPAs that exceed these minimums.
UC San Diego will not consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions decisions through Fall 2024. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.
International Students
If your native language is not English and your secondary/high school education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) and have your scores reported to the UC San Diego Office of Admissions. A minimum score of 83 is required for the TOEFL, or a minimum score of 7 is required for the IELTS. Learn more on the International Students page.
University of California Cost of Attendance
An expected budget for overseas students wishing to study in the United States is as follows for potential university aspirants enrolling in the forthcoming sessional term:
| Cost of Attendance |
On-Campus (USD) |
Off-Campus (USD) |
| Tuition |
14,480 |
14,480 |
| Housing and Meals |
14,680 |
13,942 |
| Books and Supplies |
1,124 |
1,124 |
| Transportation |
1,363 |
1,537 |
| Personal Expenses |
723 |
1,287 |
| Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition |
29,754 |
29,754 |
| Total |
62,124 |
62,124 |
The cost of attendance for graduate programs varies by program. However, the estimated cost is presented below:
| Fees |
Amount (USD) |
| Student Services Fee |
1,128.00 |
| Tuition |
11,442.00 |
| University Center Fee |
304.38 |
| Recreation Facility Fee |
351.00 |
| GSA Fee |
36.00 |
| Student Transportation Fee |
193.74 |
| Health Insurance |
3,900.00 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition |
15,102.00 |
| Total |
32,457.12 |
