Bioinformatics Specialization

Overview

Bioinformatics and related fields constitute exciting research disciplines in their own right. In addition, they enable and support unique novel avenues of research in the life sciences. Successful applications going beyond basic research cover white, red, and green biotechnology. The rapid acceleration of technology development underpinning new experimental methods generating large amounts of data have further strengthened the role of bioinformatics in the life sciences. Together with modern approaches to statistics, machine learning, and modelling they revolutionize the way we view, examine, and interact with living systems both in the laboratory and in real world applications. Consequently, the Guiding Principles of the Bioinformatics Specialization of the Biotechnology Master at Boku are to provide

  • a balanced overview and introduction of an extremely wide and heterogeneous field,
  • a strong toolkit for exploring the field, including strengthened skills in computing and statistics,
  • a knowledge of common applications in areas where Boku has a strong track record, and
  • early opportunities for further specialization through free electives (Freifächer) and supervision of Master research theses.

Structure

Each Specialization has a number of lectures, exercises, and seminars that are required. Depending on the specialization, these are provided in 21-27 hours of lecture/contact time. In all specializations, they are equivalent to 28 ECTS points. These are complemented by free electives (Freifächer) and opportunities for research towards a Master thesis to allow for further specialization, and this is a particularly important aspect of training in such a diverse field. The Bioinformatics Specialization currently includes the below required courses (terms are suggestions only):

TermType / IDTitle (abbrev.)hECTSInstitute / Research GroupLecturers / PIs
   1VS 791328Modern bioinformatics  2   3(ring lecture)Boku: Kreil, Leisch, Oostenbrink, Sykacek. UVie: Flamm, Haeseler, Rattei.
   2VU 851309Statistics with R  2   2LeischMelcher.
   2UE 851319Introduction to programming  2   3LeischModer.
   2VU 851318Multivariate statistics  3   3LeischModer.
   2/3VU 791330Bioinf: sel. aspects  3   4KreilKreil, Labaj.
   2VU 791331Machine Learning & Pattern Recogn.  3   4HimmelbauerSykacek.
   3VS 791018High-throughput sequencing  3   3HimmelbauerHimmelbauer.
   3VO 791355Introduction to metabolic modelling  2   2ZanghelliniZanghellini.
   3VU 894304Modelling & Simulation of Biomolecules  3   4OostenbrinkOostenbrink, Graf, Pechlaner.
sum23 28

Recommended opportunities for specialization include the below free elective courses (terms are suggestions only):

TermType / IDTitle (abbrev.)hECTSInstitute / Research GroupLecturers / PIs
   2VU 791329Bayesian Data Analysis in the Life Sciences3   4HimmelbauerSykacek.
   2VU 791402Efficient Microarray Data Analysis w/ R/FSPMA1   1HimmelbauerSykacek.
   3VU 791015Expression profiling by next-gen. sequencing2   2LabajLabaj.
   3UE 791020Sequencing data analysis3   3HimmelbauerHimmelbauer.
   ...