FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

What degree would I get at the end of the CIHR Bioinformatics Training Program for Health Research?

You can select one of two possible endpoints for your studies:

• M.Sc.
• Ph.D. – must begin in the MSc program and after one year of course work and rotations, transfer to a PhD program.

The specific degree that you obtain will depend on the university to which you are admitted, and the particular faculty within that university to which you apply. We are currently affiliated with the following universities and departments:

• Simon Fraser University (SFU)
• Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• School of Computing Science
• Mathematics Department
• University of British Columbia (UBC)
• Bioinformatics Graduate Program

The specific degree you would receive would be subject to the rules of each particular department. For instance, from SFU's School of Computing Science, you might receive a M.Sc. in Computing Science with a "specialty" in bioinformatics.

What kind of English-based qualifications do I need if my first language is not English?

The program requires either a TOEFL (100 iBT) or IELTS (7.0) test, if your first language is not English. If you do not have a sufficient score, it is recommended that you do not apply. Bioinformatics courses are difficult enough already, and if you do not have the language skills to understand and process the required information, you will not be successful in the program.

If you have already studied at an English-speaking secondary institution, then the English proficiency test is not required.

Note: GRE is not required for application to the program, but it may be helpful to the admissions committee in evaluating international applications.

What happens to my application if I am not accepted into the training program?

We receive many more applications than we have positions for in the training program. However, this does not mean you do not have the qualifications for entering a graduate degree program in our affiliated departments. If you do not get accepted into the training (scholarship) program, your application will be circulated to interested faculty who may have their own independent funding for graduate students. Once the program has informed you that you have not been selected for the training program, it would also be beneficial to contact potential supervisors and make them aware that you are interested in entering their lab for graduate studies. The program will make every attempt to match you with a potential supervisor, but it is ultimately your responsibility to find someone.

Am I automatically accepted into the program if I apply on-line through the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FoGS) and select your program?

The answer is no. We recommend that you do not apply on-line through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, until you have been informed by the Bioinformatics training program coordinator that you have been accepted into the program. Applying on-line through FoGS, means that you will have to pay an application fee that is non-refundable. It is best to send the required application materials to the program coordinator, who will inform you of your acceptance. Once you have been informed of your acceptance, you will then be required to apply to either SFU or UBC's FoGS and pay their application fee at that time.

Can I study part-time while I still keep my job?

Unfortunately, no. The belief of the program's founders and mentors is that bioinformatics is a difficult discipline to study, and full-time attention during the program is required. If you wish to maintain your job during your studies, some employers will offer you an unpaid leave of absence in order to improve your educational qualifications; you may wish to investigate that possibility.

I've already studied bioinformatics, or for some reason I think I've mastered some of the course material. Do I have to take the whole program, or can I start in the middle?

Sorry, you can't start in the middle. No matter what endpoint you're progressing towards, you need to do all the mandatory core courses, and the required number of electives and research rotations. Every student that starts in any given September - regardless of whether s/he is studying towards a M.Sc. or a Ph.D. - does the same required courses and a certain number of electives/research rotations.

Note: the program does not accept students for 6 months internships.

I've read the material about the background that you're looking for, and I have some of the background (in biochemistry/biology, or computing science, or mathematics/statistics) but I'm missing one of those three areas. Should I apply?

That depends. If your academic record is very good, and you have most of the background, the program can offer you the opportunity to learn the rest. As well, work experience in an area that you are lacking will always be beneficial attribute. However, you should know that we have many applications from students who have both halves of the background we're looking for; if you don't have a history in both life science and computing/mathematical science, then you will have to have an exceptional history.

Can I be admitted if my GPA is (such-and-such), and my educational history includes (a long list of courses), and if I take (such-and-such a course)?

Our admissions process is competitive. For admission to one of our small yearly cohorts, we take all the applications we have received and rank them against each other. Sorry, but we cannot comment on the suitability of your application before we receive it - the only way you can find out is by applying. Our Admissions Committee looks at many things, including your GPA, the content of courses that you have taken, your letters of reference, and how you express your interests and goals for studying in the program.

If you are applying from outside Canada, we encourage you to apply as early as possible so that your educational background can be assessed against Canadian standards.

I'm really interested in bioinformatics, but I don't think I have the grades, or the educational/working background, to get into your program. What should I do?

First of all - there's nothing that we could recommend that would be a way to improve your qualifications that would guarantee you entrance to our program. We only have a limited number of spaces, and we have many applications from very highly qualified students. Even if you follow our suggestions, we cannot guarantee that you'll be admitted to our program. However, we do think it's a great idea that you want to study bioinformatics. There are two paths for people in your position: (1) improve your qualifications and hope to get access to our program, or (2) study bioinformatics in another program.

How can I improve my qualifications and perhaps gain admission to your program?

There's nothing that you can do to raise your grade-point average retroactively? but our Admissions Committee looks at your entire application, not just your GPA. If you have, say, a B+ average, you can look for ways to make your background more well-rounded. For instance, if you have a lot of life science education, you might consider studying computing science or statistics. One very good program is the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops, and you can find out more about them at www.bioinformatics.ca . These workshops are a great introduction to the tools and techniques of bioinformatics - taking one of the CBW courses may give you the exposure to bioinformatics that you would need to decide whether you are truly suited to studying and working in the field.

To quote the University of California at Santa Cruz on this topic: "you should be strong in at least 2 of the 3 core areas of Bioinformatics: Programming and Computers, Mathematics and Statistics, and Biochemistry and Biology. If you are lacking expertise in Programming and Computers, take some advanced undergraduate courses in algorithms. If you are lacking expertise in Mathematics, take some advanced undergraduate statistics courses such as Bayesian Statistics. If you are lacking experience in Biochemistry, take some courses in biochemistry, proteins, and genomics”.

Where else can I study bioinformatics?

There are a number of excellent undergraduate and post-graduate programs in bioinformatics all over the world, and more are becoming available all the time. If you want to do an undergraduate degree in bioinformatics or just take some bioinformatics courses, please see: http://www.nslij-genetics.org/bioinfotraining/ Many other undergraduate options exist, and you should research available programs carefully. There are many available opportunities to study life sciences, computing science or statistics at the undergraduate level, take courses in bioinformatics during progress towards an undergraduate degree, and then specialize in bioinformatics at the post-graduate level.

If you have an undergraduate degree and want to get a certificate or diploma in bioinformatics that will get you into the workforce quickly, there is a Canadian program you could investigate. Seneca College in Ontario, Canada offers a one-year diploma program that is designed to teach computer science material to students who are already qualified in the life sciences area. Further information can be found at http://bioinformatics.senecac.on.ca/program.html .

What kind of work can I do after I'm finished studying bioinformatics? What kinds of jobs are out there?

There are a huge number of job opportunities available to graduates with bioinformatics degrees. You will be able to work at the interface between biochemistry, computer science, and mathematics, creating new solutions for high-throughput biology, designing analysis systems for drug design, and many other things. In general, there are two paths: you can teach bioinformatics at a university or college, or you can work at a government institution or in the industrial sector, such as a biotechnology company. Both areas seem to have plenty of available positions right now.

There are a number of good Internet-based resources that will help you. Entering "bioinformatics, jobs" into your favourite search engine is a good place to start. You can find information about Canadian positions at http://www.bioinformatics.ca/jobs/ . Science magazine maintains a listing of positions , primarily academic ones.

Does the program do anything to prepare me for a job?

As part of our program, our students are required to take professional development courses, which offer training to students in the general area of career management - how to choose a job, how to get a job, and other areas of interest such as how to make a scientific presentation, write your CV, etc.

Tell me about the financial arrangements.

Our students receive a stipend of CDN$22,000 per year, plus a yearly $500 travel allowance, for attending conferences or workshops. From the stipend, the student is required to pay tuition and any other university fees. There are no required duties such as becoming a "teaching assistant". We cannot advise you on matters such as eligibility for Canadian student loans, your income tax situation, etc., but recommend strongly that you investigate your situation before making a decision to apply. You should definitely check the latest fee structure that's posted on the Websites of our affiliated universities.

This information may change without warning, so get the best information during your decision-making process. "Additional fees" are often mandatory and include programs such as athletics, health coverage and student union fees.  The tuition fee differential between the two Universities will be covered by the CIHR program.