IN4030 will not be held Spring 2027
IN4030 – Introduction to Bioinformatics
Course description
Course content
This course provides an introduction to key concepts and methods in bioinformatics. Emphasis will be put on review of efficient algorithms, data structures, and techniques used in current applications for the analysis of DNA, RNA and protein sequences. Necessary basic knowledge of molecular biology will be communicated throughout. Topics covered include comparison and alignment of two or more sequences, indexing and searching of sequence databases, motif discovery, searching with sequence patterns and profiles, gene prediction, clustering and phylogenetics, as well as mapping and assembly of data from genome sequencing.
Learning outcome
After having completed IN4030 you will:
- understand fundamental concepts in bioinformatics
- have an overview of the most important methods and tools that are used
- understand how some of the basic methods for biological sequence analysis works
- understand the need for methods to be accurate and efficient
- be able to implement some of the algorithms
- be capable of performing simple sequence analyses using existing tools
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
IN1000 – Introduction to Object-oriented Programming/INF1000 – Introduction to object-oriented programming (continued)/IN1900 – Introduction to Programming with Scientific Applications/INF1100 – Introduction to programming with scientific applications (continued)
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with INF4350 – Introductory Course in Bioinformatics (continued).
- 7 credits overlap with INF5330 – Bioinformatikk (discontinued).
- 7 credits overlap with INF5340 – Algorithms in bioinformatics (discontinued).
- 7 credits overlap with INF2300 – Grunnkurs i bioinformatikk (discontinued).
- 7 credits overlap with INF3350 – Grunnkurs i bioinformatikk (discontinued).
- 7 credits overlap with IN325.
- 6 credits overlap with BIOS3010 – Bioinformatics (discontinued).
- 6 credits overlap with BIOS3011 – Bioinformatics in Project-Based Teams.
Teaching
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of exercises per week.
Examination
Final written exam which counts 100% towards the final grade.
This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
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: INF4350 - Introductory Course in Bioinformatics (continued), INF5330 - Bioinformatikk (discontinued), INF5340 - Algorithms in bioinformatics (discontinued), INF2300 - Grunnkurs i bioinformatikk (discontinued), INF3350 - Grunnkurs i bioinformatikk (discontinued). The list is not exhaustive.
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Nov. 9, 2026 5:09:09 PM