(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)May 28, 2002

(Mahwah) – Ramapo College of New Jersey has received state approval for its new interdisciplinary major, bioinformatics, which builds on well-established programs in biology and computer science. Ramapo will begin offering courses in the bioinformatics major in September 2002. The program leads to a bachelor of science degree.

Ramapo’s program is believed to be the first baccalaureate degree program in bioinformatics in New Jersey and one of the first in the United States offered by a primarily undergraduate four-year college. Most other existing programs are in research institutions that offer doctoral degrees.

Bioinformatics is a young interdisciplinary science that was born from the marriage of biology and computer science. It is applied to manage biological information and solve biological problems with the help of computer science-based technology. The management involves gathering, storing, analyzing and integrating data that can then be used for molecular modeling, gene discovery, assignment of functions to newly discovered genes, and study of relationships like structure and function of genes and proteins. The information obtained by the application of this powerful new technology can potentially be applied to prevent, diagnose and treat inherited and other diseases, design new drugs and vaccines, shorten the development cycle of new medicines and much more.

The field of bioinformatics is rapidly becoming an essential component of modern life sciences. Due to technological advances, there has been an explosion in the amount of data that is being continuously generated by human genome and other sequencing projects, and by research in various fields of life and health related sciences. At present, there is unprecedented demand for young researchers trained in bioinformatics to join the forefront of research areas in order to manage the data, develop methods to analyze it, solve scientific problems and make new discoveries.

New Jersey is a hub for the pharmaceutical industry and one of the largest centers of biotechnology. Ramapo College is especially suited for a bioinformatics program because it is located within a short distance from several companies that have high priority programs in the field.

For more information, contact Dr. Paramjeet Bagga, director of Ramapo’s bioinformatics program, (201) 684-7722.

###

About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Press Release Archives

| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |