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BE Advised

The place to go for undergraduate advising in biological engineering

Focus Area 4: Computational Biological Engineering

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Contents

What is it?

Computational biology involves  application  of mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques to the study of biological systems. Thus, its applications can be very broad, covering many applications such as  genomics, neuroscience, ecology and evolutionary biology, and biological systems in general. Systems biology focuses on complex interactions within biological systems. Its aim can be to model and discover properties of cells, tissues and organisms functioning as a system. Computational models are also helping attain the goals of systems biology.

How we use it?

At a smaller scale, systems and computational approach can help us understand and control phenomena within a cell with broad implications to plant and human systems.  At a larger scale, it can help us understand how climate change will affect food production and ecosystems, and help design systems to remedy such effects. One can build models of evolutionary systems in order to predict changes that could occur in the future in areas such as disease susceptibility. Transmission of bacterial and viral outbreak can be better predicted and thus more effective preventive measures taken. Computer models of industrial food and bioprocesses will allow their design to be optimized better and faster for increased efficiency and sustainability

Career possibilities

Industrial career in bioprocess, food and medical industry can be in systems analysis, software development, process and product design, and device development. Many of these careers can also be appropriate for regulatory and research agencies such as FDA and NIH.  Systems biology is a very active area of research where one can pursue higher studies.  Likewise, computational biology higher studies can be in, for example, computational genomics, computational neuroscience, and cancer computational biology.

Core courses to help you prepare

•    BEE 3310/5310 – Bio-Fluid Mechanics

Focus Area courses to help you prepare (Fall 2018 or later)

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