Apr 22, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Data Science Major, BS in Data Science - Bioinformatics Concentration


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The BSDS degree program is a 120-credit, 4-year B.S. program that provides customizable transdisciplinary options including stackable certificates, concentrations and minors. The Bioinformatics concentration (12 credit hours) is intended to equip students with bioinformatics knowledge and skills necessary in a range of settings, including post-graduate studies and work in industry, research institutions, and some government agencies. 

Campus: Knoxville


uTrack Requirements


Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students.

Credit Hours 15


Term 1 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above

Term 2


  • Social Sciences (SS) Elective 3 Credit Hours *
  • Natural Sciences (NS) Elective w/Lab 4 Credit Hours *
  • TOPS Elective 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 16


Term 2 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above

Term 3


Credit Hours 15


Term 3 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above

Term 4


Credit Hours 15


Term 4 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Define TOPS plan

Term 5


Credit Hours 15


Term 5 Milestone Notes


  • Semester GPA of 2.5 or above

Term 6


  • TOPS Elective Credit Hours
  • Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15


Term 6 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above
  • Complete at least two TOPS electives
  • Complete at least one Bioinformatics concentration course

Term 7


  • Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • 3 Bioinformatics Concentration Elective 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 15


Term 7 Milestone Notes


  • GPA of 2.5 or above

Term 8


  • TOPS Elective Credit Hours 
  • Unrestricted Elective 3 Credit Hours
  • Unrestricted Elective 2-3 Credit Hours
  • 3 Bioinformatics Concentration Elective 3 Credit Hours

Credit Hours 14-15


Term 8 Milestone Notes


  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above

Total Credit Hours 120


Footnotes


1. See Transdisciplinary Options (TOPS) Electives Requirements below for additional information.

2. Expanded Perspectives Electives must total 6 credit hours from any courses on the approved Arts and Humanities (AH) , Social Sciences (SS) , Global Citizenship - International (GCI) , or Global Citizenship - United States (GCUS)  or Applied Arts and Humanities (AAH)  lists.

3. Concentration requirement.  See Bioinformatics Concentration Requirements below for additional information.

4. CECS 485*  has a prerequisite of CECS 385 .

* Meets Volunteer Core  Requirement

Transdisciplinary Options (TOPS) Elective Requirements


  1. Students must take 18 credit hours of Transdisciplinary Options (TOPS) credit.  
  2. Students may complete a certificate, minor, second major, or a second bachelor’s degree listed in the undergraduate catalog from the list below to satisfy TOPS credit.
  3. Students may select program electives from list below to satisfy TOPS credit requirements.

Data Science Program Electives


The program elective courses listed below are eligble for TOPS credit. Please consult course catalog for specific course prerequisite requirements.

Bioinformatics Concentration Requirements


The Bioinformatics Concentration consists of 12 credit hours of required coursework.  To satisfy the Bioinformatics Concentration requirements, students must complete the following courses:

Required Courses (6 Credit Hours)


Elective Courses (6 credit hours)


Select two courses from the list below:

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