1. 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. 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 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) Science Informatics Mathematics Computer Science Chemistry and Biochemistry Biology ∫ ∂ ∑ 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) Research Projects in Science Informatics 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. 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). 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. Ron and Jonathan work on a project together in Web Tools – a class specifically designed to help students better understand website development. Jason Caronna 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. Tazeen Fatima 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 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. Rojita Sharma 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. 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. Ronald Realubit Jonathan Marra Georgiy Shchegolev 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. Science Informatics Coordinating Committee: Dr. Charles Du, duc@mail.montclair.edu (coordinator) Dr. Dorothy Deremer, deremerd@mail.montclair.edu Dr. James H. Dyer, dyerj@mail.montclair.edu Dr. Katherine G. Herbert, herbertk@mail.montclair.edu Dr. Aihua Li, lia@mail.montclair.edu 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/