Bioinformatics MSc

As biological sciences have become more data-driven, bioinformatics is now central to modern biological research, from genetics, nutrition, and epidemiology to ecology, neuroscience and biomedicine. This program will teach you how to manage and manipulate large datasets to reveal new insights into biological sciences.  You will get intensive training in a computer-based approach to biological research, with the opportunity to develop specialist skills in computer programming, data analysis, statistics, and computational biology.

New analytical techniques deliver ever more data about genes, proteins, metabolites and the interactions between them. Bioinformatics is the discipline tasked with turning all this data into useful information and new biological knowledge. With applications spanning the breadth of life science disciplines, there is now high demand for trained bioinformaticians.

Prior experience of computer programming is not required as you will be taught the latest tools and techniques in bioinformatics, which you will then apply to your own research project.  You will also collaborate with peers to build new bioinformatics solutions to real-world problems as part of an innovative group project. 

This program is delivered by academics who are actively engaged in developing bioinformatics tools and applying them in areas such as genome sequencing, proteomics, evolution, ecology, psychology, cancer, diabetes and other diseases. We have an extensive network of academic and industrial collaborators around the UK and in Europe, who contribute to teaching, co-supervise projects and provide employment opportunities.

Highlights

• Training to manage, analyze, integrate and visualize big data using technologies such as Python and R
• Development of skills applicable to software development, data analytics and finance
• Delivered by academics who are actively engaged in developing bioinformatics tools and applying them in areas such as genome sequencing, proteomics, evolution, ecology, psychology, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases
• Opportunities to publish scientific papers (recent graduate had her MSc project work included in a paper published in Science)
• Strong foundation for employment in biotechnology, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors or PhD research