MBV-INF9410A – Bioinformatics for Molecular Biology
Course description
Course content
This course will introduce students to bioinformatics resources and tools for molecular biology research. Some of the best researchers in Norway will talk about their fields in general as well as their own work. Students must bring a lap-top for in-course demonstrations as well as practical lab exercises. The course is mainly intended for biology students but is also open for students with a computer science or related background wishing to extend their knowledge of informatics problems in the biological domain. No prior background in bioinformatics or computer science is required.
Learning outcome
This course seeks to provide students with a broad overview of multiple areas in bioinformatics. Each subject area will introduce requisite background in statistics or other mathematical concepts. Practical tools and problem solving methods will be introduced.
Topics covered:
• Review of probability and statistics with special emphasis on high throughput analysis
• Unix command line
• Introduction to basic programming and scripting
• Biological databases
• Sequence alignments and BLASTing
• Structural biology: tools, predictors and 3D modeling
• Introduction to virtual screening and drug discovery
• High throughput sequencing data analysis
• Gene lists and over-representation analysis
Admission
PhD candidates from the University of Oslo should apply for classes and register for examinations through Studentweb.
If a course has limited intake capacity, priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included. Some national researchers’ schools may have specific rules for ranking applicants for courses with limited intake capacity.
PhD candidates who have been admitted to another higher education institution must apply for a position as a visiting student within a given deadline.
PhD students from other universities or university colleges that would like to take the course as a part of their theoretical syllabus for the PhD-degree must apply for the status as a visiting PhD student.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Admission to a PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, admission to a PhD program at the Faculty of Medicine or PhD-students from other universities or university colleges. Please see information in the section above.
Recommended previous knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of molecular biology, at least roughly corresponding to 5-10 university study points in molecular biology, biochemistry, or similar. The course might be relevant also for students without this background, but candidates should in this case contact the course coordinator before signing up.
Overlapping courses
- 8 credits overlap with MBV-INF9410 – Bioinformatics for Molecular Biology (continued)
- 8 credits overlap with MBV-INF4410 – Bioinformatics for Molecular Biology (continued)
Teaching
The course is given as a five weeks intensive course, consisting of lectures and in-class tutorials and exercises. It is only necessary to be physically present at the UiO campus for certain parts of the course.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Final take-home exam (one week) and given subject.
Examination support material
Students may use notes and handouts collected throughout the course.
Language of examination
The language of examination is generally English. You can apply to the administrators of the course to be given the exam text in Norwegian.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
Withdrawal from an examination
You may sit for this exam up to three times. To withdraw from exam you must inform the administration one week prior to the day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.
Special examination arrangements
Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. More info about this you find here
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".
Other
The Bioinformatics for Molecular Biology course is offered by the Department of Biosciences (IBV) and the Department of Informatics (IFI). The course is given at IFI, mainly with teaching provided by the Computational Life Science (CLS) initiative.