Master in Bioinformatics
University of Skövde
Key Information
Campus location
Norrmalm, Sweden
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
SEK 135,000 / per year
Application deadline
15 Aug 2024
Earliest start date
15 Jan 2025
Introduction
Would you like to be involved in the development of the healthcare and medicine of tomorrow? The cross-disciplinary Bioinformatics Master’s program combines biology with IT tools derived from the field of computer science. You will have the opportunity to process, organize and analyze large biological data sets, which will enable you to contribute to the understanding of (for example) disease progression and how patients respond to medical treatments.
About the Programme
This study program aims to provide you with a range of specialist skills within the field of bioinformatics. You will also develop your capacity for independent problem-solving, planning, conducting analyses, and the collation, processing, and critical evaluation of results. Within the field of bioinformatics, you will study courses focusing on subjects including bioinformatical algorithms, programming, large-scale data analysis, and bioinformatical research and development. You will also perform a degree project within the field of bioinformatics. Your studies will combine lectures with laboratory work in an IT environment. You will learn about different computerized tools for the collation and analysis of data from research projects and biological experiments, as well as different methods for the analysis of (e.g.) DNA sequences and gene expression data.
Constituent Courses in the Study Programme
This is a one-year study program, and the first semester comprises four courses. The first two courses are Concepts and Methods of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatical Analysis with Perl. These courses provide both a broad introduction to the field and a basic grounding in programming and algorithm development. They are followed by Bioinformatical Analysis with R and The Bioinformatical Research Process. Bioinformatical Analysis with R introduces the R programming language and the statistical analysis of large-scale biological data. The Bioinformatical Research Process includes a series of seminars that provide insight into relevant research. This also constitutes a preparatory course for the degree project. The second semester is devoted to the degree project, in which you will formulate and work with a relevant research problem.
Opportunities for Further Study
Upon successful completion of this study program, you may continue with a research program in bioinformatics.
Research within This Field
Research within the field of bioinformatics is progressing rapidly. This can be divided into the development of new bioinformatical tools and the application of tools for the analysis of biological data. For the research group at the University of Skövde, the most important area for research currently concerns the identification of biomarkers. The group is conducting bioinformatical studies in the field of stem cell differentiation.
Admissions
Gallery
Career Opportunities
The labour market within the field of bioinformatics is in a state of continual development. In line with rapidly increasing access to new biological data, there is a corresponding increase in the need for qualified bioinformaticians. Positions are available within scientific companies, including pharmaceutical companies. Depending on what you have studied in your basic studies, you could, for example, work as a molecular biologist by applying bioinformatical methods, or as a bioinformatician developing new bioinformatical methods and tools.