Graduate Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics
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Make the connection between the life sciences and data science.
Learn how to process biological data from scientific research, such as large-scale genomics and other molecular and biological datasets, using computation and analysis tools. In the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate you’ll gain proficiency in applied statistics, machine learning, data visualization, programming (Python and R), and other techniques that aid in scientific discovery.
Bioinformatics represents the marriage of science and computing. Our capacity to generate large amounts of data is greater than ever, and the ability to organize and access that information blazes a trail to discovery. —Mark E. Levenstein, Academic Director, MS in Applied Biotechnology, UW-Platteville
Courses are entirely online—asynchronous, with zero on-campus, virtual, or in-person meeting requirements—an ideal format for busy professionals. Watch lectures, participate in online forums with your classmates, and—although assignments have deadlines—do homework whenever it’s convenient for you. Learn more about online learning with UW.
Who Should Apply?
Students enroll in our certificate programs for a variety of reasons, including to learn new skills that help them advance in their current field, gain a competitive edge in the job market, or change careers.
Bioinformatics can be widely applied across diverse areas of biotechnology. The Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate offers value to professionals working in a variety of fields, such as: academic research, medicine and healthcare, genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, drug development, bioenergy, veterinary science, gene therapy, agriculture, food science, and more.
Admission requires a bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, and one semester college-level biology with lab. Learn more about admission requirements and applying to the program.
Universities of Wisconsin Collaboration
The Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate is offered through the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology. This certificate program is a partnership of UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater.
Accreditation
Accreditation is your assurance that you will graduate with skills that are relevant to your field and valued by employers. The Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate is approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Membership
The Applied Biotechnology program is a member of BioForward Wisconsin.
To be eligible for the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate, students must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA), and
- Prerequisite coursework: one semester college-level biology with lab.
Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission. If this applies to you, we encourage you to contact an enrollment advisor for more information.
You may also need to submit the following application materials:
- Official college transcripts,
- Your resume,
- Personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing your motivation to pursue this certificate.
If you do not meet the minimum admission requirements—such as having a GPA below 3.0 or missing prerequisite coursework—you will need to submit two letters of recommendation. These can be:
- Professional (a workplace colleague or supervisor)
- Academic (former professor or academic advisor)
Your recommenders should explain why they believe you will succeed in the program, especially highlighting your work experience or academic strengths that may not be reflected in your GPA or coursework.
If you are a degree-seeking student in the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology, and are interested in earning the certificate as an additional credential, you must declare your interest with your academic advisor at your home campus. You do not need to submit an application.
International Guidelines
This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the US, but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the US, you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an international student to a Universities of Wisconsin on-campus program, please refer to these resources through Go Wisconsin.
Application Deadline
Your online application and all required materials must be submitted to your preferred home campus generally 2-4 weeks prior to the date classes start (this varies by campus) to be considered for admission.
How to Apply
While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.
Step 1. Select a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the Universities of Wisconsin Online Admission Application. If you are applying to UW-Whitewater, you will use the UW-Whitewater Graduate Admission Application.
Please review the application instructions for your preferred home campus below.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant”.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Green Bay” as the campus.
- Choose “Applied Bioinformatics Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Applicant”.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “Yes”, and that you would like to earn a “Graduate Degree”.
- Select “UW-Oshkosh” as the campus.
- Choose “Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics” for program.
$56 application fee*
*We’re waiving the application fee for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 semesters. To redeem, use coupon code APPLY26 on the UW Online Application payment page.
Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant”.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Parkside” as the campus.
- Choose “Applied Bioinformatics Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant”.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Platteville” as the campus.
- Choose “Online Graduate Special” for program.
- State that you are interested in the Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics in the essay portion of the application.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
Apply as a “Graduate Non-Degree Applicant”.
- When asked “Are you applying as a degree-seeking student?” select “No”, and that you plan to take “Graduate” classes.
- Select “UW-Stevens Point” as the campus.
- Choose “Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate” for program.
No application fee. Skip the application fee section (not required for the certificate).
Not eligible for financial aid.
If you are applying to UW-Whitewater, you will use the UW-Whitewater Graduate Admission Application.
- Select “Certificate” from the dropdown menu.
- Select “Fully Online”.
- Select Applied Bioinformatics (OL) for the program.
No application fee.
Not eligible for financial aid.
Step 3. Send your resume, personal statement, and letters of recommendation (if required); and arrange to have your official college transcripts (from each institution you attended) sent to the graduate student admissions office of the home campus to which you applied. Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email of your chosen home campus. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.
4 Courses. 12 Credits. 100% Online.
Courses in the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate focus on developing the specialized data science skills required to process and analyze large-scale biological data sets.
Having never taken a statistics course before, I was a bit nervous/hesitant when beginning ABT 720 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biotechnology. However, with the topic-specific readings, videos, and professor-led videos, the subject was well explained and enjoyable. I am definitely ending this semester having a greater understanding/appreciation of statistical analysis and R programming. —Jennifer, Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology student
Certificate courses are offered during fall and spring semesters in rotation. It is possible to earn your certificate within three semesters; however, based on work and personal obligations, you may decide to take longer.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications in biotechnology including experimental design, quantitative data analysis, and bioinformatic evaluation of complex molecular and biological data sets. | 3 Credits |
Learn diverse strategies for computational analysis of macromolecular data using Python, including sequence alignment, genome annotation, data retrieval, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular evolution. Experiential learning is emphasized; confidence in practical skills is developed through persistent application of course content to projects focused on current problems in bioinformatic research. | 3 Credits |
Develop competencies that promote efficient analysis of biological data. Learn how to match a research problem with the most effective tools for its completion, balancing the use of existing software and de novo software development. Advanced aspects of Python and R, algorithmics, machine learning, simulations, and effective communication of results are emphasized. Prerequisites: ABT 720, ABT 730 | 3 Credits |
Explore and apply existing bioinformatic tools, including implementation of pre-coded solutions to data acquisition, wrangling, analysis, visualization, and structural modeling problems. Students will complete a final project that generates a multi-system workflow to solve bioinformatic problems. Prerequisites: ABT 720, ABT 730 | 3 Credits |
*ABT 720 is a course in the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology program. ABT 730, ABT 780, and ABT 785 are courses in the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate only, and are not available as electives or as a separate track in the master’s program. If you are a degree-seeking student in the master’s program earning the certificate as an additional credential, you will be required to complete ABT 730, ABT 780, and ABT 785 in addition to the master’s program curriculum to earn the certificate.
Course availability for the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.
Spring 2026
Course Preview Week: January 20 - January 26, 2026
Semester Dates: January 27 - May 08, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications in biotechnology including experimental design, quantitative data analysis, and bioinformatic evaluation of complex molecular and biological data sets. | 3 Credits |
Develop competencies that promote efficient analysis of biological data. Learn how to match a research problem with the most effective tools for its completion, balancing the use of existing software and de novo software development. Advanced aspects of Python and R, algorithmics, machine learning, simulations, and effective communication of results are emphasized. Prerequisites: ABT 720, ABT 730 | 3 Credits |
Summer 2026
Registration Opens: March 09, 2026
Course Preview Week: May 19 - May 25, 2026
Semester Dates: May 26 - August 07, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications in biotechnology including experimental design, quantitative data analysis, and bioinformatic evaluation of complex molecular and biological data sets. | 3 Credits |
Fall 2026
Registration Opens: April 13, 2026
Course Preview Week: September 01 - September 07, 2026
Semester Dates: September 08 - December 18, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Principles of descriptive and inferential statistics with applications in biotechnology including experimental design, quantitative data analysis, and bioinformatic evaluation of complex molecular and biological data sets. | 3 Credits |
Learn diverse strategies for computational analysis of macromolecular data using Python, including sequence alignment, genome annotation, data retrieval, phylogenetic analysis, and molecular evolution. Experiential learning is emphasized; confidence in practical skills is developed through persistent application of course content to projects focused on current problems in bioinformatic research. | 3 Credits |
Explore and apply existing bioinformatic tools, including implementation of pre-coded solutions to data acquisition, wrangling, analysis, visualization, and structural modeling problems. Students will complete a final project that generates a multi-system workflow to solve bioinformatic problems. Prerequisites: ABT 720, ABT 730 | 3 Credits |
*ABT 720 is a course in the Master of Science in Applied Biotechnology program. ABT 730, ABT 780, and ABT 785 are courses in the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate only, and are not available as electives or as a separate track in the master’s program. If you are a degree-seeking student in the master’s program earning the certificate as an additional credential, you will be required to complete ABT 730, ABT 780, and ABT 785 in addition to the master’s program curriculum to earn the certificate.
Students completing the Applied Bioinformatics Graduate Certificate will be able to:
- Identify problems in biotechnology research that can be solved using existing software tools and algorithms.
- Wrangle, visualize, and annotate sequence data gathered from public databases and high-throughput sequencing projects.
- Fit applicable models to cleaned data and critically evaluate their performance.
- Implement a range of statistical and computational methods in Python, R, and UNIX-shell scripting while managing version control with GitHub.
- Generate multi-system workflows and data-processing pipelines to manage large-scale projects.
- Effectively present methodologies and analytical results to project stakeholders.
Tuition is $875 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.
- You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
- You will not pay technology fees. If software or special technology is required in a course, it will be provided to you and is included in tuition.
- You will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities).
- $10,500 total tuition for 12-credit graduate certificate.
Financial Aid
Financial aid options may be limited for students enrolling in certificate programs. Financial aid is awarded by your home campus. To learn more, contact an enrollment adviser or your home campus financial aid office:
- UW-Green Bay Financial Aid
- UW-Parkside Financial Aid
- UW-Platteville Financial Aid
- UW-Stevens Point Financial Aid
- UW-Whitewater Financial Aid
You can also visit our financial aid page to learn more about FAFSA and other sources of financial aid.
Experience UW Applied Bioinformatics
Learn about applied bioinformatics, meet the faculty, read student stories, and more. Read the blog.