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Recent technological advances have dramatically changed our view on life science research. Huge amounts of system-wide data such as transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome data are being produced on an almost daily basis, while whole genome sequences are being determined at an ever increasing pace. Genes and proteins are no longer studied as isolated entities, but as part of complex regulatory and interacting biological networks. Retrieving from these data emergent properties of the studied biological system, or the entirety of processes occurring in a system on multiple scales of organisation, from genomes to cells and from organs to organisms, depends on the use of computational and statistical modeling approaches.
It is in this context that bioinformatics, a booming interdisciplinary field, has evolved from a new research domain to a basic discipline in only 15 years (it is sometimes called ‘the New Biology’). Bioinformatics aims at gaining a better and preferentially more quantitative molecular understanding of cellular processes by integrating and modeling high throughput molecular data (omics data). This requires the use and development of state of the art techniques for storing, retrieving, organising, analysing and interpreting biological data.
It is self-evident that this ever increasing data avalanche, together with the need for highly interdisciplinary approaches to use these data, have created an urgent need for highly trained scientists with an interdisciplinary mind set.
The ‘Systems Biology’ track is open to students with a background in molecular biology (Bachelor of Science in Bioscience Engineering (cell and gene biotechnology), Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology or equivalent). Students following this track should be able to define their own research problems in the broader domain of biology and solve these by combining the appropriate ‘omics’ technologies/data with the proper state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools. Besides the more mathematically oriented bioinformatics courses (‘Applied Mathematics and Informatics', 21 ECTS), specialized molecular biology courses and biotech courses are part of the curriculum (‘Systems Biology’ module, 30 ECTS). The track focuses on training students that are well equipped for ajob in an R&D environment.
General Courses
- Statistical Genomics
- Applied High-throughput Analysis
- Genome Biology
- Integrative Biology
- Design Project
Courses Related to the Main Subject
- Evolutionary Biology
- Biostatistics
- Capita Selecta in Bioinformatics
- Modelling of Biological Systems
- Proteomics
- Molecular Microbial Ecology
- Metabolic Engineering
- Microbial Genomics
- Microbial Re-use Technology
- Fungal Biotechnology
- Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules
- Structural Bioinformatics
- Drug Design
- Experimental Structural Biology
- Human Genetics and Genetic Diseases
- Molecular Cancer Biology
- Experimental Molecular Cell Biology
- Molecular and Experimental Immunology
- Transgenetics of Animal Model Organisms
- Cancer Genetics [nl]
- Specialised Human Genetics [nl]
- Developmental Genetics and Genregulation [nl]
- Molecular Immunology [nl]
- Immunology
- Plant Research Technologies
- Functional Plant Genomics
- The Plant Cell
- Plant Growth and Development
- Physiological Regulation in Plants
- Metabolic Engineering
- Molecular Plant Breeding
- Categorical Data Analysis
- Analysis of Clustered and Longitudinal Data
- Bayesian Statistics
- Experimental Design
- Epidemiology and Clinical Trials
- System Programming
- Object Oriented Programming
- Databases [nl]
- Biological databases
- Programming for Bioinformatics
- Selected Topics in Mathematical Optimization
- Bioinformatics Algorithms
- Predictive Modelling
Requirements
- Applicants must have at least a Bachelor's degree of min. 3 year with good overall scores (at least a second class upper or equivalent).
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate through their transcripts basic science training in at least 5 out of 7 of the following fields: (i) Mathematics, including basic statistics; (ii) Physics; (iii) Chemistry; (iv) Biochemistry; (v) Biology; (vi) Microbiology; (vii) Engineering. Some background in aquaculture is recommended too.
- Language requirements:
The applicant must be proficient in the language of the course or training programme, i.e. English. The English language proficiency can be met by providing a certificate (validity of 5 years) of one of the following tests: (TOEFL/IELTS predictive tests and TOEIC will not be accepted)
- TOEFL IBT 80
- TOEFL PBT 550
- ACADEMIC IELTS 6,5 overall score with a min. of 6 for writing
- CEFR B2 Issued by a European university language centre
- ESOL CAMBRIDGE English CAE (Advanced)
Want to improve your English level for admission?
Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.
- ✔️ Flexible study schedule
- ✔️ Experienced teachers
- ✔️ Certificate upon completion
📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.
Scholarships
- VLIR-UOS Scholarships
- Master grants
- University Development Cooperation Programme
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