$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
Where Biology Meets Data
Modern biology generates an extraordinary amount of data.
From sequencing genomes and identifying genetic variations to analyzing disease patterns and understanding complex biological systems, today’s scientists need more than traditional laboratory skills. They need professionals who can work with biological data, use computational tools, and turn complex information into meaningful insights. The Bachelor of Science in Biology Bioinformatics Option at Athens State University combines the life sciences with computing, statistics, and data analysis to prepare you for the increasingly data-driven world of modern biology.
If you’re fascinated by both biology and technology, this program gives you the opportunity to study where those fields meet.
Program Overview
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that uses computational methods to collect, manage, analyze, and interpret biological data. The Bioinformatics Option builds on a strong foundation in biology while adding the quantitative and computational skills needed to work with increasingly complex biological information. You’ll study biological concepts alongside areas such as programming, statistics, data analysis, and computational methods. This combination prepares you to approach biological questions from both a scientific and technological perspective.
The result is a degree designed for students who want to participate in the future of life science—where biology increasingly depends on data.
What is Bioinformatics?
Think of bioinformatics as the intersection of biology, computer science, and data science. Scientists can now collect enormous amounts of biological information—from DNA and RNA sequences to protein structures, genetic variations, and population data. But collecting the data is only the beginning.
Bioinformatics professionals help researchers:
Organize biological data
Develop ways to store, manage, and access massive biological datasets.
Analyze biological information
Use computational methods and statistical approaches to identify meaningful patterns.
Interpret results
Connect computational findings back to biological questions.
Discover new possibilities
Help researchers investigate disease, genetics, evolution, drug development, and other areas of biological science.
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
Bioinformatics is increasingly important across the life sciences because advances in technology continue to generate larger and more complex biological datasets.
Explore your career pathways with the Bachelor of Science in Biology – Bioinformatics Option, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$91k
Natural Sciences Manager Estimated Entry Salary
$134k
Natural Sciences Manager Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
Athens State is committed to making a high-quality bachelor’s degree accessible and affordable.
As a degree-completion, transfer-only university designed with working adults in mind, Athens State provides flexible pathways for students completing a bachelor’s degree while balancing work and other responsibilities.
Explore admission requirements, transfer pathways, tuition rates, scholarships, and financial aid to discover how you can complete your degree at Athens State.
Why Choose This Program at Athens State?
Life doesn’t stop while you’re earning your degree. That’s why the Biology bachelor’s degree is offered through flexible course formats, allowing you to complete coursework when it fits your schedule without sacrificing academic quality.
Built for Today’s Professionals
You shouldn’t have to choose between advancing your education and advancing your career. Athens State’s degree programs are designed with working professionals in mind. Flexible learning options allow you to pursue your bachelor’s degree while continuing to meet your professional and personal commitments.
Invest in Your Future The Smart Way
Athens State University is committed to providing an affordable, high-quality education. As Alabama’s most affordable public, state university, we give you the opportunity to earn an advanced degree while making a smart investment in your future, without unnecessary debt.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with real-world experience, bringing current industry practices into every course. At Athens State, you’re not facing the journey alone — our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way, providing personalized guidance and support.
Additional Information
Our Faculty
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.