George Mason University · School of Systems Biology, College of Science

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (PhD)

PhDPhDDoctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Overview

A 72-credit research PhD in bioinformatics and computational biology from the College of Science that can be earned remotely, for full- or part-time students. Most coursework takes about two years, followed by a comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal and a dissertation defense.

Official program name: Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (PhD)
Awarded degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Degree level: Doctoral — research doctorate
University: George Mason University — School of Systems Biology, College of Science
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Administering location: Fairfax, VAWhere the university or its administering campus is located. Study is online; this is not a residency requirement and does not decide whether you may enroll from your state.
Subject: Biology Data Science & Analytics
Required credits: 72 total credits
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Duration: most required coursework in approximately two years, followed by dissertation research
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Teaching language: English (not separately stated)

Why this program is listed

Research PhD that the page states can be earned entirely online without travel to campus.

Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

We list online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from institutionally accredited US universities. Eligibility rules

Online format and attendance

“Online” is not one format. Delivery, campus visits, practical placements and class schedule are shown separately, each only as the university states it.

Academic delivery: Fully onlineAll coursework is online and the institution states no required on-site activity for this program.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Campus visits: No mandatory campus visits
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Practical placement: Placement requirement: not verified
Class schedule: Not verified
Study intensity: Full-time, Part-time
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Curriculum

Dissertation

Comprehensive exam, dissertation proposal, and completion and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Admissions

Required, optional, waived and not-required items are shown exactly as the university states them. Anything not listed is not verified — not “not required”.

Prior degree: RequiredBachelor's degree in biology, computer science, or a related field.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Minimum GPA: RequiredMinimum 3.25 — Minimum GPA of 3.25 in the last earned degree.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Prerequisite courses: RequiredCourses in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, calculus, programming and data structures, and probability and statistics; working knowledge of a programming language.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026
Recommendation letters: Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation, goals statement, resume and two official transcripts.
Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Tests

Entrance and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.

Start dates and deadlines

Dates are shown with the term the university printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its student category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-term and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other, and tuition is not the full cost of attendance.

Tuition for this online program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Scholarships and financial aid

Awards published by the university for this program or for online students at this level. Loans must be repaid and are not scholarships; financial aid availability does not make a program “fully funded”. Scholarships & funding guide

Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Accreditation, authorization and licensure

Three separate questions: is the university accredited, can it enroll students from your state online, and does the program meet licensure requirements where you live?

Institutional accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

Programmatic accreditation

No programmatic accreditation verified for this program. Institutional accreditation does not imply it.

State authorization

George Mason University became an institutional participant in NC-SARA on September 8, 2016; its programs are available to students residing in participating states and territories. Official pageSource: provost.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

International applicants

International students at George Mason may take online courses, but federal immigration regulations limit the fully online credits that count toward full-time enrollment for F-1 students.Source: masononline.gmu.edu · verified October 10, 2026

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 10, 2026.

masononline.gmu.edu/programs/bioinformatics-and-computational-biology-phd/ — Official program page, verified October 10, 2026
DAPIP — SACSCOC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
provost.gmu.edu/academics/state-authorization — Official disclosure page, verified October 10, 2026

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Key facts

Online format
Fully online
In-person requirements
No mandatory campus visits
Subject
Biology · Data Science & Analytics
Length
most required coursework in approximately two years, followed by dissertation research · 72 total credits
Tuition
Not verified
Next deadline
No upcoming verified date
Administering location
Fairfax, VA

Check state authorization for your state before applying. Details

Official program page How to apply

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