Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity
| Duration | 2 years |
|---|---|
| EC | 120 |
Life is one of the most complex and dynamic systems, spanning from molecules to entire ecosystems. The Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity Master’s programme integrates biology, computer science, data science, and modelling to help you explore this complexity. In this programme, you will gain practical experience in analysing biological big data (bioinformatics) and in modelling dynamic systems (biocomplexity), equipping you to address real biological questions and deepen our understanding of how life operates.
Year 1
Begin your journey with the Life Sciences Academy (1.5 EC). In this first year, you will spend 10 weeks on compulsory Courses (15 EC), and choose one of the Elective Components (12 EC). Do you want your elective component to be programme related courses? Check the list below for an overview. Additionally, you will start with your Major Research Project (51 EC) in one of the Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity research groups*.
*The Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity programme is well embedded in the Utrecht research community through the Utrecht Bioinformatics Centre as well as the Utrecht Centre for Complex Systems Studies.
Compulsory components
Compulsory courses
Choose at least one of two:
Programme related elective courses
- Advanced R for Life Sciences: In-depth Techniques for analysis, visualization and publishing
- Advanced Omics for Life Sciences
- Advanced bioinformatics: data mining and data integration for life sciences
- Analytics and algorithms for Omics Data
- Basic machine learning for bioinformatics
- Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Genomics
- Cancer genomics
- Introduction to Research Data Management for Life Sciences
- Master level Computational Biology
- Microbial Genomics
- Structural Bioinformatics & Modelling
- System Tipping Points: Bifurcations
Year 2
In the second year, you will focus on specialisation and the practical application of your knowledge. You will continue or complete your Major Research Project (51 EC), follow a personalized Profile (33 EC) to align with your career ambitions, and finalise your studies with a Writing Assignment (7.5 EC) that sharpens your scientific communication and analytical skills.
Compulsory components
Connection to research
Two research institutes are closely linked to the Master's programme on Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity: the Utrecht Bioinformatics Center (UBC) and the Centre for Complex Systems Studies (CCSS). Staff of these institutes is involved in the education and there are possibilities to perform a research project. On the UBC website, most research groups are mentioned that are available for you as a student to do for example your Major Research Project or Writing Assignment.
Additional information
You learn how to present results from research projects to peers and researchers at the Utrecht research community at an annual seminar.