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Studies & Degrees in Computational Biology

Computational biology uses mathematics, statistics and computing to answer questions about living systems. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) describes it as an interdisciplinary field that trains students to solve biological problems by combining the sciences, mathematics and computing: how cells process information, which genes influence disease risk, what determines the growth rate of a tumour, and which factors drive biodiversity. It overlaps with bioinformatics, which the US National Human Genome Research Institute defines as the use of computer technology to collect, store, analyse and disseminate biological data such as DNA and amino acid sequences. Many universities use the two names together.

Students take three groups of courses. The first is biology: molecular biology, genetics and genomics. The second is quantitative: calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics. The third is computing: programming, algorithms, databases, machine learning and the modelling of biological systems. Most programmes end with a research project in a laboratory or a company.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degrees. At UCLA the Computational Biology major has three tracks: Bioinformatics, Biological Data Sciences and Dynamical Modeling. The University of Calgary in Canada teaches Bioinformatics as a Bachelor of Health Sciences, with training in computer science, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. In Spain, an official bachelor's degree (grado) has 240 ECTS credits. The Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics in Barcelona is an interuniversity degree coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) with the participation of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), the Universitat de Barcelona and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. It lasts four academic years, has 240 ECTS credits and is taught entirely in English, with an emphasis on biomedical applications. The UPC lists an approximate price of €1,061 per year (€1,800 for students who are not EU residents) on its 2026-27 page.
  • Master's degrees. Many students enter the field at this level, after a first degree in biology, computer science, mathematics or physics. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. In Switzerland, the Master in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics is offered jointly by ETH Zurich, the University of Basel and the University of Zurich. It comprises 120 ECTS credits with a regular study period of two years, and combines theory courses in computer science and applied mathematics with biology courses in areas such as genetics, genomics, stem cell biology and cancer biology.
  • Doctorate. Independent research usually requires a PhD. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics states this for biochemists and biophysicists, a neighbouring occupation.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 19 active schools for computational biology. Eleven are in the United States, two in Spain and two in Switzerland, and Australia, Canada, China and Bermuda have one each. The United States list includes The University of California Los Angeles, The University of California at Berkeley, the University of Southern California, The University of Texas at Austin, Yale University, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and The Rockefeller University in New York, a biomedical research university. In Europe the list has the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, the Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. The University of Calgary, the University of Wollongong in Australia and Shanghai Normal University are also listed.

English is the usual language of instruction, including in the Barcelona bachelor's degree and at the US, Canadian and Australian universities. When you compare programmes, look at the balance between biology and computing, at the entry requirements in mathematics and programming, and at the research groups where the final project can be done.

Careers

Graduates work with biological data in research institutes, hospitals and companies. The UPC names biomedicine (integrating omics and clinical data for precision medicine), biological research and pharmacology as fields of work. The University of Calgary mentions the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, genomics and genetics, and UCLA lists software, biotechnology, medicine, public health and consulting, together with master's and PhD programmes.

There is no separate official statistic for computational biologists in the US Occupational Outlook Handbook, so two neighbouring occupations give an indication. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of data scientists to grow 35 percent from 2025 to 2035, and employment of biochemists and biophysicists to grow 12 percent over the same period. Data scientists typically need at least a bachelor's degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between computational biology and bioinformatics?

The two overlap, and many degrees use both names. Bioinformatics centres on collecting, storing and analysing biological data such as DNA sequences. Computational biology also includes mathematical models and simulations of biological systems.

Do I need to know programming before I start?

Bachelor's degrees teach programming from the first year. Master's degrees usually expect a first degree in biology, computer science, mathematics or a related field, so check the entry requirements of each programme.

Can I study it in English in Spain?

Yes. The interuniversity Bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics in Barcelona, in which the UPC, UPF, Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona take part, is taught entirely in English and has 240 ECTS credits.

How long does a master's degree take?

One to two years. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, and the joint master's degree of ETH Zurich, the University of Basel and the University of Zurich has 120 ECTS credits over two years.