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BIOL50315: Bioinformatics

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 5
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with a broad understanding of bioinformatics.
  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills of the R environment for data analysis and visualization in Bioinformatics.
  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills to analyse genomic and transcriptomic data using standard software.
  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills to analyse DNA and protein sequence data.
  • To provide students with the knowledge and skills to use public bioinformatics databases.

Content

  • Introduction of bioinformatics.
  • R environment for data analysis and visualization in Bioinformatics.
  • Linux and high-performance computing.
  • Analysis of RNA-seq data using standard software.
  • Analysis of small-scale mutations in genome sequencing data using standard software.
  • Analysis of DNA and protein sequence data.
  • Public bioinformatics databases.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Essential knowledge of the R environment for data analysis and visualization in Bioinformatics.
  • Essential knowledge of Linux and high-performance computing.
  • Essential knowledge of RNA-seq data analysis.
  • Essential knowledge of genome sequencing data analysis.
  • Essential knowledge of DNA and protein sequence data analysis.
  • Familiar with major public bioinformatics databases.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Ability to use the R environment for data analysis and visualization in Bioinformatics.
  • Ability to use Linux and high-performance computing.
  • Ability to analyse RNAseq data using standard software.
  • Ability to analyse small-scale mutations in genome sequencing data using standard software.
  • Ability to analyse DNA and protein sequence data.
  • Ability to use major public bioinformatics databases.

Key Skills:

  • Data analysis, visualization and interpretation
  • Linux and high-performance computing
  • Hypothesis building
  • Problem solving

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module will be delivered via workshops
  • Summative assessment will be via coursework.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Workshops16Twice per week2 hours32Yes
Preparation and reading118 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Bioinformatics Report40 
Mini Project Report60 

Formative Assessment

More information

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