The Capstone Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics is geared toward working professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge within the biotechnology and healthcare industries using R and Python platforms. Current degree seeking students (undergraduate or graduate) are not eligible to enroll in these courses.

This Capstone Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics program is intended for University Special (non-degree seeking) students who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent and is designed to "cap off" the undergraduate educational experience or to offer a focused professionally oriented educational experience.

Admission requirements for the Capstone Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics are:

  • A Bachelor’s degree
  • A 3.0 undergraduate GPA
  • Completion of one General Biology course with laboratory at the undergraduate level

The Capstone Certificate in Applied Bioinformatics accepts applications year-round.

  • Applications are accepted for Fall through July 15
  • Applications are accepted for Spring through December 15
  • Applications are accepted for Summer through April 15

Application requirements include: 

  • Statement of purpose 
  • Resume/CV
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.  Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application; official transcripts will be required upon admission to the program.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Submit evidence of English language proficiency, if applicable. The required proficiency scores are: TOEFL IBT 92, PBT 580; or IELTS 7.0

Please refer to the program website for the application.

Adult Career and Special Student Services (ACSSS) is the admitting office for all University Special students, including capstone certificate students. However, the department offering the capstone certificate program makes the final admission decision upon review of all applicant materials. 

Required Coursework: 12 credits

Completion of twelve credits is required for the certificate. A description of the requirements is provided below.

ABT 720 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biotechnology3
ABT 730 Python for Bioinformatics3
ABT 780 Bioinformatic Inquiry3
ABT 785 Application of Bioinformatics3

Minimum Requirements for Capstone Certificate Completion

  • Students must earn a minimum grade of C in each course used to meet Capstone Certificate requirements.
  • Courses in which a student elects the pass/fail or audit option will not count toward completion of Capstone Certificate requirements.
  • All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned "in residence" (which includes on campus and distance-delivered courses) at UW-Madison.
  • All of the Capstone Certificate credits must be earned while enrolled in the Capstone Certificate program.

Individual Capstone Certificate programs may have additional requirements for completion, which will be listed above as/if applicable.

  1. Demonstrate professional and scientific communication appropriate for biotechnology settings
  2. Evaluate diverse analytical methods and technologies and their applications in bioinformatics
  3. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of organizational processes and product development pipelines and the data generated throughout

The Capstone Certificate in Bioinformatics courses are taught in collaboration by faculty from seven University of Wisconsin campuses: UW-Green Bay, UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW- Stevens Point, and UW-Whitewater.

James Keck, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Basic Sciences Professor, School of Medicine and Public Health

 Natalie Betz, Ph.D., Academic Director for the UW–Madison Applied Biotechnology program Associate Director for the M.S. in Biotechnology Program
Faculty Instructor, School of Medicine and Public Health