Forum:Majors for a career in Bioinformatics

Question

[solano2013]

I'm new to this field of study. I was introduced to bioinformatics while working out at a gym and ever since I've been hooked. I'm actually upset I didn't know of this before. My question is since bioinformatics is so broad and there's definitely different ways to work in the field; are there any specific majors I should study? I get computer science and statistics a lot, but I also get biology, bioinformatics, information systems, computational biology, etc. I definitely am interested in the biological side of this field but I'm not sure if that includes the development aspects (software engineering, programming, algorithms).Since I am an amateur is there any useful information that I can take a look at that explains specific majors and curriculum for specific area of bioinformatics? Maybe something will catch my attention more. I just don't want to pull the trigger unless I know I am making the right decision.

I'm new to this site and forums in general so if you can show some mercy I'm sure there is already a post about this, but I'm learning as I go.

Thanks

[sviatoslav.kendall]

Since you definitely like biology, I suggest you start there by taking bio and bio-relevant classes (chemistry, physics, math, etc). Your declared undergraduate major is far less important to your career than the background knowledge and skills you develop during it - especially for interdisciplinary fields like bioinformatics.

If you want to get a sense of whether software development is for you, spend a month or two learning to code (Python is a good beginner's language) and try your skills out on Rosalind.

[solano2013]

The title might confuse some. I meant Bioinformatics not Bioinformatician sorry.

[Ram]

You can edit your title. See: C: How do I ask a question on Biostars?

[solano2013]

Thanks! Just figured it out.

[solano2013]

I appreciate the help. I'll definitely take a look at those links.

[Ram]

This is not an answer - it is a response to medhat's answer. It should be a comment on his answer, not an answer by itself. Please add it as a comment and then delete this answer.

Adding a comment: C: How do I ask a question on Biostars?

Deleting an answer: A: How to Use Biostars, Part II: Post types, Deleting, Linking and Bookmarking

Answer 1

[Medhat]

This paper will guide you through the field major and what shall you know/study if you want to choose this field

A New Online Computational Biology Curriculum

An Online Bioinformatics Curriculum

overview about the field and branches

http://123bioinformatics.blogspot.com/2008/03/branches-of-bioinformatics.html

Good luck :)

Answer 2

[LLTommy]

My question is since bioinformatics

Well, you are right and that is also why it is hard to impossible to tell you what to pick These days bioinformatics is very broad, a lot of things are considered bioinformatics and therefore all the things you mentioned make sense. So it is up to you and what you are interested in, also depending on your talent. There is not one way to become a bioinformatician, there are more like 100s. And by now, honestly, I would not even know no more how to define bioinformatician. I met many people with that job title working on so different topics and with different methods - it is really a broad field these days.