StudyQA — Master: Bioinformatics, Polyomics and Systems Biology

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Description Contents Requirements

Why Glasgow?

* Our programme emphasises understanding core principles in practical bioinformatics and functional genomics, and then implementing that understanding in a series of practical-based elective courses in Semester 2 and in a summer research project.

* You will benefit from being taught by scientists at the cutting edge of their field and you will get intensive, hands-on experience in an active research lab during the summer research project.

* Bioinformatics and the 'Omics' technologies have evolved to play a fundamental role in almost all areas of biology and biomedicine.
* Advanced biocomputing skills are now deemed essential for many PhD studentships/projects in molecular bioscience and biomedicine, and are of increasing importance for many other such projects.
* The programme is closely aligned with 'Glasgow Polyomics' (formerly the Sir Henry Wellcome Functional Genomics Facility) and its activities. Glasgow Polyomics is a new world class facility that provides research services using microarray, proteomics, metabolomics and next-generation DNA sequencing technology. Its scientists have pioneered the 'polyomics' approach, in which new insights come from the integration of data across different omics levels.
* The Semester 2 elective courses are built around real research scenarios, enabling you not only to gain practical experience of working with large molecular datasets, but also to see why each scenario uses the particular approaches it does and how to go about organizing and implementing appropriate analysis pipelines.
* You will be based in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, an ideal environment in which to train in bioinformatics; our College has carried out internationally-recognised research in functional genomics and systems biology.
* We have several world-renowned research centres at the University, such as the Wellcome Trust Centre for Molecular Parasitology, do research employing bioinformatic approaches in the study of disease.
* You will learn computer programming in courses run by staff in the internationally reputed School of Computing Science, in conjunction with their MSc in Information Technology.

Career Prospects

Most of our graduates embark on a research career path/PhD either in the UK or abroad using the skills they've acquired on our programme that are now of primary relevance in many areas of modern biology and biomedicine. A postgraduate degree in bioinformatics is also valued by many employers in the life sciences sector - e.g. core bioinformatician posts in research groups in basic biological or medical sciences, computing biology jobs in biotechnology/biosciences/neuroinformatics/pharma industry. Some of our graduates have entered science-related careers in scientific publishing or education; others have gone into computing-related jobs in non-bioscience industry or the public sector.

Bioinformatics helps biologists gain new insights about genomes (genomics) and genes, about RNA expression products of genes (transcriptomics) and about proteins (proteomics); rapid advances have also been made in the study of cellular metabolites (metabolomics) and in a newer area: systems biology

Polyomics involves the integration of data from these functional genomics areas - genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics - to derive new insights about how biological systems function

The programme structure is designed to equip students with understanding and hands-on experience of both computing and biological research practices relating to bioinformatics and functional genomics, to show students how the computing approaches and biological questions they are being used to answer are connected, and to give students an insight into new approaches for integration of data and analysis across the 'omics' domains.

On this programme, you will develop a range of computing and programming skills, as well as skills in data handling, analysis and interpretation, and you will be brought up to date with recent advances in biological science

The programme has the following overall structure

* Core material - 60 credits, Semester 1, made up of 10- and 20-credit courses
* Elective material - 60 credits, Semester 2, students select 6 10-credit courses from those available
* Project - 60 credits, 14 weeks embedded in a research group over the summer

Core courses include:

* Programming (Java)
* Information Systems and Databases
* Foundations of Bioinformatics
* Omics and Systems Approaches in Biology
* There is also an obligatory 60-credit summer research project lasting 14 weeks; normally this will be with one of the research laboratories in Glasgow associated with the programme, but there is also the opportunity to study in suitable laboratories in other parts of the world.

Optional courses include:

* RNA-seq and next generation transcriptomics
* Metagenomics
* Genetic data handling and analysis
* Parasite drug resistance - a polyomics approach
* Phyloinformatics
* Systems biology approaches to omics data analysis
* Protein structure informatics and drug discovery.

A second class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Professional experience may be taken into account.You do not need to have previous experience in computer programming, but you should be numerate, as part of the programme is spent learning programming. We may admit you if your background is outside molecular biology and we are confident that you can develop your understanding of the biology background in a timely manner.If you have a degree in a molecular bioscience and want to specialise or enhance your skills in biological computing, this programme is designed for youIf your background is in a non-molecular life science, or in another discipline such as Computing Science, please apply anyway, or enquire (see contacts listed on the 'Introduction' tab), as we do often take students with other backgroundsInternational students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of pre-Masters courses. Further information regarding academic entry requirements:student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL iBT® test: 92 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.