Abstract: Bioinformatics and Bio-Math represent new and exciting ways to teach students about the practical applications within science.

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Science Informatics at Montclair State
University Katherine G. Herbert, Department of
Computer Science James H. Dyer, Department of
Chemistry and Biochemistry Montclair State
University Montclair, New Jersey
Abstract Bioinformatics and Bio-Math represent
new and exciting ways to teach students about the
practical applications within science. 
Currently, with wide-spread media coverage of
bioinformatics projects such as the human genome
project and drug discovery projects, students are
energized to investigate multi-discipline
projects.  Montclair State University is
answering this call by students for scientific
multi-discipline studies through its Science
Informatics Program.  The Science Informatics
Major combines Biology, Chemistry, Computer
Science and Mathematics to instruct students in
the problem-solving techniques for both
Bioinformatics and Cheminformatics.  Students
complete a core set of courses in each of the
subject concentrations.  They next complete
advanced courses within the concentration of
their choice.  Finally, they fulfill a ten credit
research sequence to practice problem-solving
skills combining their knowledge from the four
primary subject areas, with an emphasis on
developing computer science skills.  This poster
discussion will present the Science Informatics
Major and the successes and challenges it has
faced during its creation.  It will highlight the
unique and significant problem-solving component
of the major which is a four course research
sequence.  Finally, it will discuss future
directions for the program.
Research Projects in Science Informatics
Ronald works with Dr. Jeff Toney (Chemistry and
Biochemistry and Dr. Andreas Koeller (Computer
Science) on developing methods for a molecular
docking tool. Last Semester, Ron worked with Dr.
James Dyer (Chemistry and Biochemsitry) in a wet
lab research experience concerning plant energy
metabolism in sunflowers.
Tazeen works with Dr. Katherine Herbert (Computer
Science) on discovering patterns in Phylogenetic
data using Data Mining. Jonathan designs a
database to help with aquaporin research for his
mentors Dr. Charles Du and Dr. John Gaynor
(Biology).
Each student in the Science Informatics Program
must complete 10 credits of research experience.
First, in their Sophomore Year, they work with
faculty mentors to integrate their knowledge from
the Computational Courses with Biology, Chemistry
or both. During their junior year, they have a
similar experience, this time with a mentor from
Industry. Finally, as a Capstone Experience,
each student participates in a 6 credit research
sequence where they develop a problem with
faculty guidance and then implement a solution.
Courses in one of the three Concentrations (17 -
18) Concentration in Biochemisty (17) CHEM 232
Experimental Organic Chemistry I (2) CHEM 450
Computational Chemistry (3) CHEM 471
Biochemistry II (3) CHEM 472 Experimental
Biochemistry I (2) CHEM 473 Instrumental
Biochemistry Lab (3) CMPT 371 Software
Engineering I (4) Concentration in Computer
Science (17) CMPT 280 Assembly Language and
Computer Architecture (3) CMPT 350 Parallel and
Distributed Processing (3) CMPT 371 Software
Engineering I (4) CMPT 372 Software Engineering
II (4) CMPT 483 Data Base Systems (3)
Concentration in Molecular Biology (18) BIOL
112 Principles of Biology I (4) BIOL 113
Principles of Biology II (4) BIOL 350
Microbiology (4) BIOL 435 Experimental Molecular
Biology (3) BIOL (Molecular Biology Elective)1
(3) Total Core Credits in the major (67)
Ron and Jonathan work on a project together in
Web Tools a class specifically designed to help
students better understand website development.
Core Curriculum Required Science Informatics
Courses (16) SCIF 151 Colloquium in Science
Informatics I (1) SCIF 152 Colloquium in Science
Informatics II (1) SCIF 253 Colloquium in
Science Informatics III (1) SCIF 254 Colloquium
in Science Informatics IV (1) SCIF 250 SCIF
Sophomore Summer Internship (2) SCIF 350 SCIF
Junior Summer Internship (2) SCIF 475 Ethics in
Science Informatics (2) SCIF 491 Research
Experience in Science Informatics I (3) SCIF 492
Research Experience in Science Informatics II (3)
Required Biology and Molecular Biology Courses
(11) BIOL 230 Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
BIOL 380 Genetics (4) BIOL 434 Introduction to
Molecular Biology (3) Required Chemistry and
Biochemistry Courses (17) CHEM 120 General
Chemistry I (4) CHEM 121 General Chemistry II
(4) CHEM 230 Organic Chemistry I (3) CHEM 231
Organic Chemistry II (3) CHEM 470 Biochemistry I
(3) Required Computer Science Courses (13) CMPT
183 Foundations of Computer Science I (3) CMPT
184 Foundations of Computer Science II (3) CMPT
250 Web Tools Perl, XML JavaScript (2) CMPT
287 Data Structures, Algorithms File Structures
(4) CMPT 300 Introduction to Science Data Bases
(1) Required Mathematical Sciences Courses (10)
MATH 122 Calculus I (4) CMPT 285 Discrete
Mathematics (3) STAT 440 Fundamentals of Modern
Statistics (3)
Rojita presents her research on Bioperl. Rojita
also participated in a Freshman research
experience with Dr. Dyer concerning an
introduction to protein purification and
biotechnology.
Dr. Koeller instructs Ron on molecular docking
during one of their research sessions.
For more information, please contact Science
Informatics College of Science and
Mathematics Montclair State University Montclair,
NJ, 07043 http//www.csam.montclair.edu/sci_info/
The thing I like about Science Informatics and
Bioinformatics is that it is so new. The
combination of all the sciences makes you feel
like you will be able to contribute more and that
you have accomplished more after you have
completed your studies.
Science Informatics has brought four different
fields of science together Biology, Chemistry,
Computer Science and Mathematics. For someone
like me who want to be a research scientist,
Science Informatics is a very good field.
Scientists spent years decoding and mapping the
Human Genome. All of their hard work and
dedication gave us the chance to bring about
about untold benefits to humankind. The amount
of information generated is unimaginable. They
opened the door for us so to say. To show
appreciation for what they did, I as a Science
Informatics student, want to walk through that
door.
Rojita Sharma
Jason Caronna
Jonathan Marra
Science Informatics is a great program. The
blending of Biology, chemistry, Computer Science
and Math puts the Student a step forward in this
competitive world. Who knows, maybe the
excellence of the program will one day develop a
drug for cancer.
Science Informatics is a great program which
provides the student with invaluable experience
in four core subject. The integration of
Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and
Mathematics in this major is a perfect solution
for organizing and handling the exponential
growth of information in the medical field.
Science Informatics is the future and is a part
of our futures. Its in our defense systems,
helps us defend from bio-terrorism attacks can
help us in our medical fields.
Science Informatics Coordinating Committee Dr.
Charles Du, duc_at_mail.montclair.edu
(coordinator) Dr. Dorothy Deremer,
deremerd_at_mail.montclair.edu Dr. James H. Dyer,
dyerj_at_mail.montclair.edu Dr. Katherine G.
Herbert, herbertk_at_mail.montclair.edu Dr. Aihua
Li, lia_at_mail.montclair.edu
Tazeen Fatima
Ronald Realubit
Georgiy Shchegolev