IN-BIOS5000 – Genome sequencing technologies, assembly, variant calling and statistical genomics

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Only held every other autumn. No teaching or exam Autumn 2023.

Course content

The course provides knowledge of sequencing technologies and hands-on experience with the analysis of data from several sequencing platforms and for various applications. The two main applications that will be covered are de novo genome assembly and variant calling (SNPs and structural variants), while other aspects like control of quantity and quality of data will also be included. Furthermore, the course will show how to use statistical genomics to analyse features of annotated genomes.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you will:

  • understand the differences, benefits and drawbacks of the most current high throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies, and be able to decide which platform to use in what way for the different applications of HTS
  • be able to evaluate data quality and quantity as well as perform bioinformatics analysis, both on the command-line and through web-based frameworks, with data tailored towards applications like genome assembly and variant calling
  • know the algorithms and statistical methods involved in sequence alignment, mapping, assembly and variant calling
  • understand how to apply statistical methods to analyse relationships between annotated features on genomic tracks
  • be able to report on bioinformatics analysis in such a way that the methods used and steps taken are transparent, thus enhancing reproducibility
  • be aware of, and know to deal with, the ethical and data-sensitivity issues surrounding sequencing data derived from human subjects

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

A maximum of 30 students total for IN-BIO5000 and IN-BIO9000 combined.

Ranking:

  1. PhD students who have the course as a part of their approved PhD plan and are associated with the NORBIS research school.
  2. PhD students who have the course as a part of their approved PhD plan.
  3. Master students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences who have the course approved in their study plan.
  4. Master students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
  5. Others

We recommend that participants should have a basic understanding of molecular biology as provided by an introductory course in bioinformatics, molecular biology, or genetics. No formal background in computer science is required, however, students must have a basic understanding of the unix shell. Students should take an introductory unix course beforehand if they do not have these skills.

Overlapping courses

Teaching

This is an intensive course covering six weeks in the autumn semester.

The course will start with 2 continuous weeks of lectures and hands-on exercises Monday to Friday each week, from 9.00 to 17.00. During the evenings the students are supposed to self-study for 2 hours by reading articles etc.

The following 4 weeks the students will work on a student project and prepare an oral presentation, which forms part of the exam. They will also read and prepare for the final written exam.

On Thursday in the sixth week the students will present their student work orally. On Friday in the sixth week there will be a written exam.

80% attendance on lectures and exercises is required to be allowed to take the exams.

Examination

There will be a 2-hour written exam, and the project work will be evaluated based on an oral presentation. Both exams have to be passed in the same semester. 80% attendance is required to be allowed to take the exams.

It will also be counted as one of your three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: IN-BIOS9000 - Genome Sequencing Technologies, Assembly, Variant Calling and Statistical GenomicsINF-BIO5121 - High Throughput Sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis (continued)INF-BIO9121 - High Throughput Sequencing technologies and bioinformatics analysis (continued)

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester. Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) Mar. 19, 2024 4:46:30 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching

Autumn 2022

Examination
Autumn
Teaching language
English