Computational Biology (Single Major) (.B.Sc)

עברית

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.B.Sc

Computational Biology is a groundbreaking field that combines advanced technology and biology, enabling researchers to unravel the secrets of living systems using computers and sophisticated mathematical tools – offering an opportunity to impact medicine, genetics, and future technologies.

Computational Biology focuses on processing large-scale biological data using tools from computer science, mathematics, statistics, and information theory. The program is a joint effort between the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Computer Science. Graduates of the program gain in-depth training in both biology and computer science, along with expertise in interdisciplinary fields such as bioinformatics, biomathematics, and data science. This program is designed for students who wish to combine biology and computer science and specialize in the rapidly evolving field of computational biology.

Computational Biology – Unlocking Opportunities!

The collaboration between the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Department of Computer Science provides students with a top-tier multidisciplinary education, exposing them to cutting-edge technologies, advanced research methods, and a faculty of leading experts. The program trains students to become biologists with computational, algorithmic, and data science expertise. Additionally, as the curriculum offers comprehensive training in both biology and computer science, graduates can pursue careers in either field independently or excel in the interdisciplinary domain of computational biology.

During the third year of the program, students participate in a research project in computational biology. This project allows them to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired throughout their studies. Projects are supervised by leading researchers from the university, including faculty from the Life Sciences department and other departments. In some cases, projects are conducted in collaboration with hospitals, enriching the students' research and practical experience.

A three-year program (6 semesters), comprising a total of 158 credit points (CP), divided as follows:

  • Life Sciences Core Courses: 55 CP
  • Computer Science and Mathematics Core Courses: 69 CP
  • Interdisciplinary Courses (Life Sciences & Computer Science): 24 CP
  • Elective Courses in Life Sciences and/or Computer Science: 10 CP
    * 1 CP equals a semester-long course with one weekly lecture hour.

Yearly Breakdown:
Year 1: Total: 53 CP (core courses)
Year 2: Total: 58 CP (core courses), including hands-on experience in biology teaching laboratories. 
Year 3: 37 CP (core courses) + 10 CP (electives)

  Proposed Class Schedule - 2025-26

Year 1   Year 2   Year 3

Computational Biology Curriculum In Hebrew
*The links lead to pages in Hebrew

Graduates of the program pursue diverse career paths, including:

  • Companies specializing in bioinformatics
  • Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
  • High-tech companies developing innovative products and technologies
  • Firms specializing in data analysis and AI/Deep Learning
  • Research institutes and academia
  • Advanced studies in various fields, such as four-year medical programs, computer science, and biology (some programs may require adjustments to elective courses).

English Proficiency: Minimum required score of 85 or higher on the AMIR/AMIRAM exam.
For students who did not complete the Hebrew matriculation exam, a minimum score of 105 on the Yael test.
Mathematics matriculation: Minimum score of 360 (score multiplied by the number of units).
Psychometric exam: Minimum score of 660.
Overall score: Minimum of 73.

For further information:  Life-Sciences.Dept@biu.ac.il

Student Recruitment and Services Coordinators (Building 212, Rooms 211A, 211C):

Mr. Dor Arami 03-5317646 dor.aramy@biu.ac.il

Ms. Linoy Borshan-Ezra 03-5317019  linoy.borshan-ezra@biu.ac.il

Academic Advisor for Biotechnology, Computational Biology and Double Major Tracks (Building 207):

Dr. Ilana Loinger  03-5317970 ilana.loinger@biu.ac.il

Program Head: Prof. Ron Unger

Virtual Office Hours via Zoom (In Hebrew)

Contact Us 

Students in the program take core courses across two key disciplines:

Core Courses in Life Sciences

  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Core Courses in Computer Science

  • Introduction to Computing
  • Data Structures
  • Algorithms
  • Machine Learning

Interdisciplinary Courses
Students also take specialized courses that integrate biology and computer science, such as bioinformatics, mathematical and systems biology, and computational genomics.
Another course that bridges these fields is Machine Learning and its Applications for Biological Data Analysis. In this course, students learn to apply machine learning algorithms to clean, analyze, and derive insights from large biological and medical data sets (Big Data). The course covers programming in R, familiarization with various algorithms and statistical methods, and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm. At the end of the course, students present a project in which they analyze biological data using the tools and techniques learned throughout the course.

Computational Biology Curriculum In Hebrew

Principal Investigators of Computational Biology in the Faculty

Last Updated Date : 09/11/2025