MASTER OF BIOINFORMATICS:
120 ECTS
Bioinformatics is a recent interdisciplinary science, which acquires knowledge through
computational analysis of biological data, such as DNA sequences, experimental results,
patient data, scientific literature etc.
The aim of the training is to form specialists in the bioinformatics field, who are able to couple
biological insight to IT-knowledge thereby incorporating data mining and statistical analysis
techniques. The expertise of bioinformaticians lies in designing, managing, analyzing and
interpreting data from high throughput molecular biological experiments.

Who can start?
As a holder of one of the following academic bachelors you can obtain direct access to the
Master of bioinformatics programme upon evaluation and approval of the POC.
Bachelor in applied biosciences and engineering
Bachelor in engineering
Bachelor in biomedical sciences
Bachelor in biochemistry / biology / biotechnology / chemistry / geography / geology
Bachelor in physics / mathematics / computer science
As a holder of one of the following academic bachelors you obtain access to the Master of
bioinformatics programme after following a preparatory programme.
Bachelor in industrial sciences (60 SP)
Master in industrial sciences (15 SP)
Bachelor in pharmaceutical sciences (15 SP)
Bachelors in any other science-related domain that has not yet been mentioned upon
evaluation and approval by the POC.

Profile?
You combine a broad and thorough knowledge of biology, biotechnology, data mining,
statistics and information technology with insight in the genetic make-up and the functioning
of living systems.
You are able to analyze biological databases and have insight in the algorithms that are used
to process large quantities of data.
You have a notion of currently used programming languages (e.g. JAVA, Perl).
You can design, manage, analyze and interpret experiments in collaboration with biologists
and information scientists.
You are informed of the new evolutions in the `-omics research (genomics, transcriptomics,
proteomics) and you can incorporate this new knowledge in the basic skills that you have
learned during the training.

Studying abroad ?
You can do part of your study in a foreign university for a couple of months, a semester or a
complete academic year. It will give your diploma an extra dimension. You can find more
information on http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/student/Erasmus/socrates_erasmus.aspx
You can also contact the Erasmus-Socrates coordinator of the Faculty of Bioscience
Engineering:
Prof. René De Mot
Kasteelpark Arenberg 20
B-3001 Heverlee
Tel. 0032 16 32 96 81
e-mail : rene.demot@biw.kuleuven.be

Scheme
The Master of bioinformatics programme of 120 ECTS consists of a reorientation package
(27 ECTS), a core package (59 ECTS), an optional course (4 ECTS) and the master thesis
(30 ECTS). The reorientation package is a supplement of your previous education, to ensure
that you meet the start qualifications of all the following courses. The composition of this
package is recommended by the POC and dependent of your previous education. The
package will consist of courses from the different reorientation submodules.
All students must follow all the courses of the core package. This package builds from the
basic knowledge obtained during your previous education and the reorientation package in
concordance with the inherent multidisciplinary vision of the bioinformatics field.
Reorientation package (27 ECTS) selected from:
Reorientation Biology (23 ECTS)
Basics of biological chemistry (4 ECTS)
Basic concepts of cell biology (5 ECTS)
Function, cellular synthesis and analysis of macromolecules (4 ECTS)
Genetics, genetic nomenclature and genetic evolution mechanisms (5 ECTS)
Gene and genome technology (5 ECTS)
Reorientation Statistics (4 ECTS)
Applied statistical methods for bioinformatics (4 ECTS)
Reorientation Mathematics (14 ECTS)
Linear algebra (6 ECTS)
Calculus (5 ECTS)
Exercises in applied mathematics and statistics (3 ECTS)
Reorientation Information Technology (13 ECTS)
Basic programming (4 ECTS)
Object oriented programming (4 ECTS)
Database management (5 ECTS)
Core package (59 ECTS):
Module Biology (14 ECTS)
Theories and methods to study molecular interactions (4 ECTS)
Molecular model building (5 ECTS)
Model organisms (5 ECTS)
Module Matematical techniques (22 ECTS)
Applied multivariate statistical analysis (5 ECTS)
Linear and generalised linear models (5 ECTS)
Dynamical systems (4 ECTS)
Artificial neural networks (4 ECTS)
Machine learning (4 ECTS)
Module Bioinformatics (23 ECTS)
Teamwork “crossroad exploration for bioinformatics” (3 ECTS)
Bayesian modelling for biological data analysis (5 ECTS)
Bioinformatics: high throughput analysis (4 ECTS)
Bioinformatics: structural and comparative genomics (4 ECTS)
Bioinformatics: evolutionary and quantitative genetics (4 ECTS)
Biological databases (3 ECTS)
Optional course (4 ECTS)
Master thesis (30 ECTS)

Where can you work ?
Bioinformaticians can find a job in the domain of “life sciences” in the broadest sense: the
industry, the academic world, hospitals... The expanding need for bioinformatics in the
biological and medical research ensures a large variety of job opportunities in fundamental
and applied research.

More information ?
Nederlandse versie van deze brochure: www.esat.kuleuven.be/sista/GGS/