Hons in Bioinformatics

The Honours Specialization in Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program offered within Western University's BSc (Honours) degree, combining computer science with the biosciences. It concentrates on the computational aspects of bioinformatics while providing students with enough background in biology and chemistry to understand the contexts in which computational methods are applied. The module is accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Council under its criteria for interdisciplinary programs and cannot be completed as a stand-alone credential; it must be taken within a BSc (Honours) degree. It totals 12.0 courses spanning biochemistry and biology, chemistry, core computer science, and electives drawn from statistics, additional computer science, and bioscience disciplines. Admission requires completion of first-year requirements with no failures, including introductory biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics courses, with an overall average of at least 70% and no individual mark below 60% in the principal courses. Admission to the module is discontinued effective September 1, 2027; students already enrolled may graduate by August 31, 2030.