Bioinformatics profile
Description
Today’s life sciences scientists need to be able to deal with large amounts of biological data that come from high-throughput experimental techniques. Therefore a solid understanding of biological processes combined with bioinformatic and statistical knowledge on how to handle and analyze such large datasets is an essential skill. The Bioinformatics profile provides you with a much needed essential set of bioinformatics skills for future life science research.
This profile prepares you for a research career with the ability to work with bioinformatics tools, algorithms and procedures required to work with current and future large scale datasets. You will participate in several core courses, advanced and in depth courses as well as a research project.
Have a look at the short video about the research of the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center.
Please note: Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity students can not choose the Bioinformatics profile.
Variants of the profile
| 33 EC variant | 45 EC (extended) variant |
|---|---|
| 10.5 EC core courses | 10.5 EC core courses |
| 18 EC research project | 33 EC research project |
| 4.5 EC additional bioinformatics courses | 1.5 EC (or more) additional bioinformatics courses |
Courses
Core courses of the profile are Introduction to Bioinformatics (B-MINBI19), Introduction to Python (B-MBIOINPY), and Introduction to R (B-MBIOINR). You need to finish these courses before your profile research project can be approved. If you have previous experience in bioinformatics, you can replace core courses with a selection of (more advanced) bioinformatics courses after approval of the profile coordinator.
Additional bioinformatics courses you can choose are:
- Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Genomics (B-MBIEG06)
- Structural Bioinformatics & Modelling (SK-MCBIM21)
- Advanced R for Life Sciences (B-MADR19)
- Advanced Bioinformatics: Data Mining and Data Integration for LS (BMB502114)
- Advanced Omics for Life Sciences (BMB502316)
- Introduction to Research Data Management (B-MINRDM)
- Analytics and Algorithms for Omics Data (BMB508219)
- Microbial Genomics (B-MBIMIGE)
- Cancer Genomics (BMB521219)
- Basic Machine Learning (B-MBIOBMLB)
Check out the list of courses of the Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity Master's programme for up-to-date start and end dates.
As a profile student you have priority in the courses. However, you still need to register for each course in time. We cannot guarantee a place in the course if you register too late.
Research project (18 or 33 EC)
An essential step into learning bioinformatics is actually using it in a research setting. Doing a research project is one of the most critical parts of the profile.
Your research project can be done anywhere in the world and can be in a company, institute or university. Please find a bioinformatician as your daily supervisor. You are allowed to combine wet lab work with bioinformatics, as long as the amount of bioinformatics is the significant part of your research project. When you have finished your research project, you need to send your research report to the profile coordinator for a final check of the bioinformatics in your project.
Please note: In case you cannot find a UU/UMCU examiner for your research project, you may ask the profile coordinator to be your examiner.
Visit Utrecht Bioinformatics Center for exciting research projects at Utrecht University.
You can apply for the profile at any time, however, core courses are given twice a year in period 1 and 3.
There is no need to have experience in bioinformatics and programming for enrolment. Do you already have some experience in bioinformatics and/or programming in Python or R? That is great as this profile is also very much suitable for students with more experience. Please follow the steps below to apply for the profile.
Step 1: Choose the 33 or 45 EC variant.
Step 2: Contact the profile coordinator and make an appointment to discuss your plans. Based on your previous experience in bioinformatics, you may replace core courses with a selection of (more advanced) bioinformatics courses.
Step 3: Apply via OSIRIS Case. Please make sure that your application is sent in at least 20 working days before the start of the profile. You can access OSIRIS Case via OSIRIS Student.
Please note that this profile contains a research project. You have to apply for the profile first, before you can apply for the profile research project.
After admission to the profile, you can apply for the profile research project. These are the steps you need to take during the application:
- Find a research group of your interest (you can follow the same steps as described for the major research project).
- Apply for the profile research project in OSIRIS Case. Please make sure that your application is send in at least 20 working days before the start of the project. You can access OSIRIS Case via OSIRIS Student. Application for a profile research project is similar to the application for a major research project. Visit the research project page for more information.
- Once you applied for the profile research project in OSIRIS Case, the profile coordinator, programme coordinator and the Board of Examiners have to approve the application. The different actors are allowed to request additional information if the application is not entirely complete. You can monitor the status of your application in OSIRIS Case.
- After approval in OSIRIS Case you will receive an approval email of the research project coordinator.
- Start your profile.
Questions about OSIRIS Case? Perhaps you'll find your answer in the FAQ.
Upon completion of the bioinformatics profile you are:
- acquainted with the concepts of using bioinformatics tools and algorithms in the analysis and interpretation of large datasets (big-data) in the life sciences;
- able to apply this knowledge and analyse large datasets originating from high throughput experiments, databases or repositories within the context of an actual research project;
- able to write scripts for the processing or analysis of data;
- able to use software such as [R] to analyze data.
Finished your profile research project?
The written report of your profile research project will be archived in OSIRIS Thesis Archive. After the final assessment form is completed in OSIRIS Case, you will receive an email, asking you to upload your report.
Additionally, you can choose to publish your thesis, including the timing and version to publish. The theses become open-access after the publication date and can be found through search engines like Google and WorldCat. Together with your examiner and supervisor you agree upon and decide if, when, and how your thesis will be published.
Please note: the title of your report is literally copied to your international diploma supplement, so be aware of the correct use of capitals in the title.
More information on the digital Thesis Archive of the University Library can be found here.