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Full time | Birkbeck, University of London | 1 year | OCT-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

OCT-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MRes - Master of Research

Subject areas

Bioinformatics

Course type

Research

Course Summary

COURSE OVERVIEW

Our MSc Bioinformatics provides you with high-quality online training in bioinformatics. It is a distance learning only course run in parallel with an MRes course that includes a larger research component.

This specialist, online postgraduate degree is ideal if you are from a scientific background and want to pursue research training in bioinformatics and systems biology, or if you are seeking a future career in both academia and industry. Bioinformatics and systems biology have grown dramatically in the last two decades and this course has been designed to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology industries for research and development.

It covers the core concepts and statistical fundamentals underpinning bioinformatics, most notably in the area of sequence analysis. You will learn how to program in Python and design and query databases using SQL, and gain experience in more advanced programming practices such as software testing and application development. You will also explore:

core biological concepts such as genes and genomes, protein structure and function

growth areas such as Next Generation Sequencing and systems modelling.

Our research areas include:

computational structural bioinformatics, with a focus on the characterisation of macromolecular assemblies relevant to disease

analysis of next-generation sequencing data, both genomic and transcriptomic

immunoinformatics, in particular virus-host interactions and immune responses to protein therapeutics

developing bioinformatics and chemoinformatics methods to analyse metabolic pathways

structure-thermodynamic relationships, molecular simulation and inhibitor design

developing new computational methods that exploit data produced using various experimental techniques (e.g. cryo-EM, mass spectrometry, NMR and tomography).

Modules

Programming is an essential skill for bioinformaticians. This module focuses on Python, the most widely-used programming language for bioinformatics. The module addresses a range of topics, including: how to write short scripts for handling biological data; how to use Biopython to handle DNA and protein sequence data; and the good programming practices and habits relevant to any programming language.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£12,150

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£19,030

Entry requirements

The MRes is a challenging, interdisciplinary course. We recommend initial entry to the MSc Bioinformatics course until November (full-time) or February (part-time) so that your skills and knowledge can be thoroughly assessed. Occasionally, direct entry to the MRes is possible, when there is very strong prior evidence that the student will perform well on the course.