Introduction to bioinformatics
Module Title
MA324
Module Code
5
Credits
3B02 – Third year Biomedical Science
Courses and year of study for which module is
designed
2
Semester(s) in which module is taught
Tim Downing
Module Coordinator
September 2012
Date submitted to LTA Committee
Module Descriptor
Module Overview:
This module provides biology students with foundation knowledge of bioinformatics and enables
them to perform basic bioinformatic tasks. It will also introduce them to the scope for further
learning and more advanced applications, and allow them to appreciate how bioinformatic tools are
fundamental to modern medicine.
General Aims:
To equip students with the capacity to discuss current bioinformatic research with respect to human
health, and to perform basic bioinformatics and analysis tasks.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to
 outline key bioinformatics principles and approaches
 perform elementary bioinformatic tasks
 discuss the relevance of bioinformatics to modern medicine
 describe key high throughput data generation technologies and analysis
Module Delivery:
The module will be delivered as a series of two weekly 1-hour lectures (12x2=24 hours). Lecture,
assessment and class exercise notes will be listed on Blackboard. Student assignments for continuous
assessment will be completed individually, requiring 3 hours a week of independent learning
(12x3=36 hours). Study and reading will require an additional 60 hours of effort.
Module Workload:
Taught Periods
Formal Examination
and Study Periods
Activity
Time (hours)
Taught Activities
24
Homework and Study
36
Total
60
Examinations and
Study
Overall Total
60
120
Module Assessment:
The module will be examined through examination as a written paper of two hour duration examined
at the Summer examination session. Continuous assessment will comprise 30% consisting of practical
1
reports 6%, class test (10%) and assignments (14%).
Overall scheme:
1. Biological databases and online resources
2. Genome browsers/accessing genomic data
3. Sequence homology and evolution
4. Algorithms for sequence alignment: BLAST
5. Phylogenetics
6. Comparative genomics
7. Introduction to microarrays & gene expression analysis
8. Overview of next-generation sequencing applications
9. Bioinformatics of post-transcriptional regulation
10. Analysis of high-throughput genotype data (phasing and inference of population structure)
11. Concepts in genome-wide association studies & personal genomics
12. Overview of systems biology
2