Postgraduate Course: Introduction to Bioinformatics for Life Scientists (PGBI11117)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course introduces bioinformatics for life scientists. The emphasis is largely practical, targeted towards biological applications and case-studies, with some theory to increase understanding. Topics include sequence database searching, automation of bioinformatics analyses, and processing next-generation DNA sequencing data. Students also learn how to use the Linux command-line, which is the major platform for current bioinformatics research. No previous knowledge of bioinformatics or programming is required.
This course replaces the course Bioinformatics (PGBI11006). |
| Course description |
The course provides a practically-oriented introduction to bioinformatics, aiming to leave biologists and other life scientists ready to begin using bioinformatics techniques in research.
After an introduction to bioinformatics, topics include practical sequence database searching with pairwise alignment (BLAST), pairwise alignment theory, multiple sequence alignment, basic and advanced Linux shell scripting with BASH, construction of bioinformatics analysis pipelines, analysing next-generation DNA sequence data, grid computing, and functional annotation of protein sequences. Practical activities use Web sites and the Linux command-line. No prior knowledge of bioinformatics or Linux is required.
The course will be taught through lectures, computer-based practical classes, in-course assignments and small-group tutorials.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Bioinformatics Programming and System Management (PGBI11095)
|
Other requirements | Students who have previously completed BIOINFORMATICS PGBI11006 should not enrol. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: 58 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
| Course Start Date |
13/01/2020 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 12,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
72 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
50 %,
Coursework
50 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
In course assignment (50%) and centrally arranged exam (50%) |
| Feedback |
Feedback on in-course assignments is provided face-to-face during small-group tutorials. |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply basic bioinformatics techniques in life sciences research;
- have sufficient background knowledge, skills and understanding to discover and apply additional bioinformatics techniques.
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Bioinformatics.
Computer literacy.
Computational thinking.
Interdisciplinarity.
|
| Keywords | Bioinformatics QGGA |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Daniel Barker
Tel: (0131 6)51 7812
Email: Daniel.Barker@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mrs Jennifer Morris
Tel: (0131 6)50 5513
Email: jennie.morris@ed.ac.uk |
|
|
University Homepage