MS Genome Bioinformatics at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The MS in Genome Bioinformatics prepares students to analyse the human genome in academia and in pharmaceutical and genomic testing industries. Graduates are trained to manipulate, annotate and interpret human genome data using computational tools, with access to genomic research at Pitt Medicine.

Faculty: School of Public Health | Department: Department of Human Genetics | Duration: 2 years (four semesters) with a summer industry internship after the first year | Intake: Fall | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Year one covers bioinformatics resources, genomic data processing and structure, genomic data pipelines and tools, genomic data visualization and annotation, human population genetics, complex disease genetics and introductory statistics, followed by a summer industry internship. Year two includes the Genome Bioinformatics Internship and Capstone, gene mapping, epidemiology and a thesis built on the internship project.

Career pathways

Computational analyst roles in academia, pharmaceutical companies and genomic testing industries.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Pitt Public Health graduate admission: applications through SOPHAS with personal statement, official transcripts (WES course-by-course evaluation for non-US education) and three recommendations; applicants need mathematical preparation suitable for entry to Principles of Statistical Reasoning; international applicants submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. MS applicants hold a bachelor's degree in arts, science, engineering or nursing (or MD, DDS, DVM) with adequate training in the sciences basic to public health. GRE is optional for Genome Bioinformatics. Fall admission deadline for the MS in Genome Bioinformatics is January 15; spring admission is considered case by case.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 32,140 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 57,816 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, School of Public Health, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Entry terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) and deadlines are set by each school or department; the University's graduate catalog lists Fall, Spring and Summer terms for new graduate students.

Graduate and professional applications are made online to the school or department of intended study, with deadlines set by each school or department; official English-test results are required from applicants from countries where English is not the official language.

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