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News Release

Office of News and Information
Johns Hopkins University
901 South Bond Street, Suite 540
Baltimore, Maryland 21231
Phone: 443-287-9960 | Fax: 443-287-9920

January 18, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Diana Schulin
Engineering and Applied Science Programs
for Professionals (410) 579-4737, dschulin@jhu.edu


Johns Hopkins to Offer
Online Master's Degree in Bioinformatics

Web-Based Courses Provide Flexibility for Working Professionals

The growing popularity of bioinformatics, a new branch of technology that draws on computer science and molecular biology, has led The Johns Hopkins University to launch an online master's degree program in the field. The program is aimed at working professionals with undergraduate and advanced degrees in biological sciences or engineering. Beginning this spring, the online courses leading to a master of science in bioinformatics degree will be offered through the Whiting School of Engineering's Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals and the Zanvyl Kreiger School of Arts and Sciences' Advanced Academic Programs.

Putting the bioinformatics degree program online will allow professionals from around the world to access these timely classes and to learn from top instructors in the field. The courses are well suited to the online format because much of the analysis is completed in a digital environment.

Ed Addison, bioinformatics program director for the engineering school, said that Johns Hopkins is becoming one of the leading academic centers in bioinformatics. "This is a natural progression for Johns Hopkins," he said, "because of its rich course offerings in engineering, medicine and computer sciences, as well as it proximity to NIH and the variety of biotechnology companies along Montgomery County's I-270 corridor."

Kristina Obom, bioinformatics associate program chair for the School of Arts and Sciences, said that the program's flexibility makes it attractive to working professionals. "This online format offers prospective students a first-class Johns Hopkins education with the flexibility to accommodate their jobs and personal responsibilities," she said.

The degree program requires students to complete 11 courses in molecular biology, computer science and bioinformatics. The courses must be completed within six years.

A master of science degree in bioinformatics will enable graduates to interpret complex biological information, to perform analyses of sequential data using sophisticated bioinformatics software and to program software. For more information on the online program, go to advanced.jhu.edu/biotechnology/bioinformatics.cfm or call 800-847-3330.

Part of the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, the Engineering and Applied Science Programs for Professionals (EPP) offer master's degrees in 15 distinct disciplines. There are currently more than 2,200 students enrolled in EPP programs at seven education centers throughout the Baltimore/Washington area. For more information on EPP programs and functions, contact Associate Dean Allan Bjerkaas at 410-540-2960, visit the Web site at www.epp.jhu.edu, or e-mail epp@jhu.edu.


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