How can kid get into computational biology if at a college that doesn't have the major?

[Anonymous]

My daughter who is at UVA is now interested in computational biology. UVA doesn't have the major. What is the next best thing for her to major in that can get her into the field?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter who is at UVA is now interested in computational biology. UVA doesn't have the major. What is the next best thing for her to major in that can get her into the field?

I don't know UVA-specific, but most biology as it's currently practiced has computational elements. If she's interested in research end , she could focus a bit more towards population genetics. If she's focused more on human biology/medicine she could focus more on genomics or other health focused areas. If it's more computation than biology, bioinformatics. I don't think of these as undergraduate majors so much as directions to focus her specialized courses, research experiences, internships and then grad programs have these focus. It's important to have a sound, solid biology background for all of these. She may also consider a computer science/data science related minor. But, most importantly she should talk to her advisor as they will know the specific opportunities/research labs/concentrations/courses that relate to her interest. Also just look up professors' interests and see who is doing that kind of work and ask to meet with them/switch advisors/ take their courses.

[Anonymous]

Transfer.

[Anonymous]

If she is committed to staying at UVA, I'd encourage her to look into doing a data science minor: https://datascience.virginia.edu/degrees/minor-data-science or if what she wants would be met through the Biomedical Engineering program: https://engineering.virginia.edu/departments/biomedical-engineering/academics/undergraduate Some of the faculty in that engineering program have a focus on computational biology and may be good advisors even if she just decides to do Biology + Data science minor.

[Anonymous]

Take math, computer science, and statistics. Know how to program. Be curious and read scientific papers and read their code and try to replicate it.

[Anonymous]

Major in biology, minor is computer science or data science. Take statistics-based electives.