Key Takeaways
- The development of a bioinformatics minor at Dakota State University brings together faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences and The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences.
- Bioinformatics applies data science methods such as statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to uncover patterns in biological data.
- The minor prepares students for future careers as data, medical, or environmental scientists by teaching them biology, math, programming, analytics, and artificial intelligence courses.
- DSU faculty have conducted bioinformatics outreach by developing activities for middle and high school students at the Sanford PROMISE Lab.
- The bioinformatics minor provides students with broader career options by teaching them transferable skills such as coding, statistics, and data analysis.
Introduction to Bioinformatics
As technology advances, science also progresses, applying new technologies to solve real-world problems. This has inspired the development of a bioinformatics minor at Dakota State University. Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines the expertise of faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences and The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. According to Dr. Mark Spanier, associate professor and department chair of emerging technologies, "Bioinformatics applies data science methods such as statistics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to uncover patterns in biological data such as DNA sequences or protein structures." This minor has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Alex Dececchi, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Andrew Sathoff, associate professor of biology, director of undergraduate research and department chair of math and science.
The Bioinformatics Minor
The bioinformatics minor at Dakota State University prepares students for future careers as data, medical, or environmental scientists. Students enrolled in the minor take a range of courses, including biology, math, programming, analytics, and artificial intelligence. These courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics and equip them with the skills necessary to analyze massive datasets, leading to discoveries in genetics, medicine, and environmental science. As Dr. Spanier explained, "Integrating biology and computer science allows researchers to analyze massive datasets, leading to discoveries in genetics, medicine, and environmental science." Moreover, the challenges of bioinformatics drive innovation in computing, spurring new algorithms, techniques, and technologies.
Bioinformatics Outreach
In addition to developing the bioinformatics minor, DSU faculty have also conducted outreach activities to introduce middle and high school students to the field of bioinformatics. The Sanford PROMISE Lab, the outreach division of Sanford Research, provides STEM events and education to K-12 students. Dr. Dececchi and Dr. Sathoff were invited to lead a bioinformatics session at the Sanford PROMISE Lab middle school and high school camps. Ben Benson, a senior research education specialist with Sanford PROMISE, connected with the faculty members at a conference, which led to the invitation to teach a session in the camps. Amelie Steins, an undergraduate lab assistant and student researcher, assisted in developing age-appropriate activities that taught attendees how to use digital tools and data to answer questions.
Middle School Activities
The middle school activities focused on phylogenetics, or the scientific study of the evolution of life on Earth. Students were introduced to the concept of phylogenetics through hands-on activities, such as arranging five animals in order of evolution using pipe cleaners that served as branches. They also explored a tree of life website. As Amelie Steins noted, "It was really rewarding to see how curious students are, especially middle schoolers." These activities provided students with a fun and interactive way to learn about bioinformatics and its applications.
High School Activities
High school students in a Sanford PROMISE program called Research in Action learned how to explore publicly available databases and how to connect their new knowledge to diseases studied in the biomedical research facility. As Ben Benson shared, "It provided students with a gateway to see computer science, biology, and data analysis not just as academic subjects but as powerful tools for solving problems, exploring their own questions, and potentially pursuing future careers in science." These activities provided high school students with a more in-depth introduction to bioinformatics and its applications, preparing them for potential careers in the field.
Conclusion
The development of a bioinformatics minor at Dakota State University is an exciting development that brings together the expertise of faculty from the College of Arts & Sciences and The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. The minor provides students with a comprehensive understanding of bioinformatics and equips them with the skills necessary to analyze massive datasets, leading to discoveries in genetics, medicine, and environmental science. The outreach activities conducted by DSU faculty have also introduced middle and high school students to the field of bioinformatics, providing them with a fun and interactive way to learn about this exciting field. For more information about bioinformatics, visit Dakota State’s webpage.