MS Biological Data Science at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science program in biological data science provides you with a foundation in biology and computational methods along with hands-on training through practical projects at the interface of the natural and mathematical sciences. You learn to manipulate big data, including the generation and analysis of data using statistical and computational toolsets. You use your analytical skills in ecological, environmental, toxicological and other biological applications.

What you will study

33 credit hours - course-based master's, or 33 credit hours and a thesis, or 33 credit hours including the required applied project course (3 credit hours of ACO 593, BIO 593, LSC 593, MAT 593 or MNS 593), or 33 credit hours including the required applied project course (6 credit hours of ACO 593, BIO 593, LSC 593, MAT 593 or MNS 593) COURSE-BASED OPTION Required Core (9 credit hours) LSC 540 Foundations of Biostatistics (3) LSC 541 Advanced Biostatistics and Machine Learning (3) MNS 521 Artificial Intelligence Technologies (3) Applied Computing Coursework (9 credit hours) ACO 501 Database Systems and Cloud Computing (3) LSC 562 Applied Mathematics Techniques in Biology (3) LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3) LSC 598 Geospatial Data Science (3) LSC 519 Computational Methods in Environmental Health (3) LSC 547 Wet Laboratory Experience (3) Restricted Electives (9 credit hours) Select Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science: BMI 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3) BST 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3) BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3) BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics MAT 422 Mathematical Methods in Data Science STP 470 Predictive Analytics (3) TPH 550 Data Science for Public Health (3) TPH 554 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Public Health (3) MNS 592 Research Select Biological Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology: BMD 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3) BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3) BMI 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3) FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3) LSC 555 Molecular Biology (3) LSC 556 Evolutionary Biology (3) LSC 598 Biotech Startup Foundations (3) LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3) LSC 598 Marine Conservation Policy and Management (3) MCB 540 Functional Genomics (3) TPH 551 Public Health Technologies (3) MNS 592 Research Electives (6 credit hours) OPTIONS WITH CULMINATING EXPERIENCE Required Core (9 credit hours) LSC 540 Foundations of Biostatistics (3) LSC 541 Advanced Biostatistics and Machine Learning (3) MNS 521 Artificial Intelligence Technologies (3) Applied Computing Coursework (9 credit hours) ACO 501 Database Systems and Cloud Computing (3) LSC 562 Applied Mathematics Techniques in Biology (3) LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3) LSC 598 Geospatial Data Science (3) LSC 519 Computational Methods in Environmental Health (3) LSC 547 Wet Laboratory Experience (3) Restricted Electives (9 credit hours) Select Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science: BMI 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3) BST 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3) BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3) BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics MAT 422 Mathematical Methods in Data Science STP 470 Predictive Analytics (3) TPH 550 Data Science for Public Health (3) TPH 554 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Public Health (3) MNS 592 Research Select Biological Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology: BMD 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3) BST 517Advanced Biostatistics for Biomedical Research and Health Care (3) BMI 550 Translational Bioinformatics (3) FOR 540 Advanced Topics in Human Forensic DNA Typing (3) LSC 555 Molecular Biology (3) LSC 556 Evolutionary Biology (3) LSC 598 Biotech Startup Foundations (3) LSC 598 Data Science for Genomics (3) LSC 598 Marine Conservation Policy and Management (3) MCB 540 Functional Genomics (3) TPH 551 Public Health Technologies (3) MNS 592 Research Electives (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) ACO 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) BIO 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) LSC 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) MAT 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) MNS 593 Applied Project (3 or 6) ACO 599 Thesis (6) BIO 599 Thesis (6) LSC 599 Thesis (6) MAT 599 Thesis (6) MNS 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information This master's degree offers a course-based option.

Career pathways

The proliferation of big data sets generated in biological science fields has dramatically increased the demand for individuals with solid skill sets needed to manipulate and interpret this data.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field such as biology, mathematics, statistics or computing, as well as unrelated fields from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of purpose professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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