Annie

"Computational biology is in a way two worlds. It’s in tech and computation, but it’s also in biology. My studies helped me learn how to talk to people across domains…It’s that interdisciplinary nature that allows me to communicate to get closer to solutions."

School of Computer Science

Computational Biology

Data science has opened new windows into understanding our world, including the field of biology. You can be part of decoding the data of living organisms and revealing the patterns of biological systems. We’re training a new generation to be the computational and AI-ready scientists of the future and to tackle big challenges — from automating scientific experiments to discovering new drugs or even building a virtual cell. Our undergraduate program in Computational Biology — unique to CMU — will guide you to explore frontier problems in modern biology and medicine backed by the unparalleled computational education and quantitative rigor of the world-leading School of Computer Science.

Computational Biology Majors and Minor

Choose the path that fits you best. Browse all current Computational Biology curriculums and courses.(opens in new window)

Computational Biology

Bachelor of Science
Additional Major
Minor

With a major in computational biology, you’ll gain significant technical knowledge of fundamental computer science as well as a broad background in biology. More importantly, you’ll learn to use this knowledge to make connections between the two fields. To truly integrate your biological and computational knowledge, we make research opportunities available to all students who are interested. 

The additional major in Computational Biology is designed for undergraduate students wishing to study comp bio as a second field of study in addition to their primary major. A wide variety of students have completed this additional major, including those with primary majors in computer science, artificial intelligence, biology, mathematics, engineering and neuroscience. 

The minor in Computational Biology encourages  participation from students with diverse academic interests  and is open to undergraduate students in any major outside the School of Computer Science. The program seeks to equip students with the basic computational skills and knowledge in biological sciences that are central to computational biology.

Contact

Department of Computational Biology

Hillman Center 
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

 

Computational Biology Website

Apply Now

 

Classes of 2023 and 2024, Six Months After Graduation

88%

Employed or in Grad School

$112,800

Average Salary

Recent Employers

Amazon

Amgen

IBM

Meta

More Post-Graduation Stats(opens in new window)

High School Course Requirements

4 years English

4 years Mathematics*

1 year Physics

2 years Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science

2 years Foreign Language

3 electives

 

*Four years of mathematics should include at least algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, elementary functions (pre-calculus) and preferably calculus. Advanced mathematics courses are encouraged, especially a course in calculus.

Apply

Submit your application for the School of Computer Science.

Get Started

Mix It Up

You’re not just one thing. You’re a scientist. An artist. A technologist. A maker. A writer. Carnegie Mellon has been mixing it up for decades, and whatever you want to pursue, we’ve got the right mix for you.

The CMU Experience

How to Major in Mixing-It-Up