What is the difference between the Bioinformatics degree and the PBSE Bioinformatics and Computational Biology track?
The PBSE track and the PhD in bioinformatics are almost identical, both in requirements and in admissions standards. Students take the same courses and have access to the same lab groups either way. The PBSE program was created because the grad admissions process at UCSC only allows students to apply to one program—the PBSE program provides a single-application admission to MCD biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and bioinformatics. If you are not sure whether you want to do one of those wet-lab fields or bioinformatics, the PBSE program allows greater flexibility.
