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, Linux or programming is required.
This course replaces the course Bioinformatics (PGBI11006). |
| Course description |
The course provides a practically-oriented introduction to bioinformatics. It aims to leave biologists and other life scientists ready to begin using bioinformatics techniques in research.
The course is taught through lectures, computer-based practical classes, in-course assignments and small-group tutorials.
Lecture topics include an introduction to bioinformatics, pairwise sequence alignment, multiple sequence alignment, shell scripts and automation, functional annotation of protein sequences, Grid computing with EDDIE, next-generation sequencing and data, next-generation sequenceing with non-model species and Galaxy.
Practical topics include an introduction to BLAST, bioinformatics pipelines, advanced shell scripting for bioinformatics, grid computing, next-generation sequence data and Galaxy.
Small-group tutorial topics include BLAST and Linux, shell scripts and automation, functional annotation and next-generation sequencing data.
A detailed schedule of classes will be available on Learn from mid-December.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | Students MUST NOT also be taking
Bioinformatics Programming and System Management (PGBI11095)
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Other requirements | Students who have previously completed BIOINFORMATICS PGBI11006 should not enrol.
This course may not be taken on a Class only basis. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
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.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Bioinformatics.
Computer literacy.
Computational thinking.
Interdisciplinarity.
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| 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 |
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