BMS2062

Introduction to bioinformatics ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Associate Professor Phillip Bird

Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: Bioinformatics unites the major advances in biology, biochemistry and the biomedical sciences with those in computing, bioinformatics and networking. The unit covers the application of the internet to biomedical sciences; organisation and uses of scientific databases; use of computational methods in genomics and proteomics; fundamentals of molecular modelling; analysis and presentation of biomedical data; and communication of biomedical data using information technology.

Objectives: This unit is an introduction to the principles of bioinformatics and the pivotal role that informatics plays in the biomedical sciences. On completion of the unit the students will have a basic understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of information technology and its wider application to the medical sciences. The students will develop an understanding of the principles of database searching, using search engines, sequence alignments, molecular phylogeny, molecular modelling, protein structure and analysis and medical imaging. The student will also develop their communication and presentation skills and understand the involvement of information technology in the biomedical sciences.

Assessment: Written examination: 40% + Projects and assignments: 60%

Contact Hours: 2 Lectures per week, 1 three hour practical session per week.