Bioinformatics Seminar (MTAT.03.242)

Course info

• The first meeting will take place on February 8.
• Seminars: Monday 08:15 - 10:00, (J.Liivi 2-611)
• Contacts: Dmytro Fishman (dmytro [at] ut.ee), Elena Sügis (elenanik [at] ut.ee)
• BIIT (Bioinformatics, Algorithmics, and Data Mining group) group website : http://biit.cs.ut.ee/

Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines computer science, biology, statistics and mathematics for understanding biological data. In this course we will try to bridge the gap between knowing some scripting language (e.g. Python and R) and practicing bioinformatics to answer real scientific questions.

The course is divided into two tracks: The first track is designed for students without strong background in Bioinformatics. The second track specifically targets PhD students in Bioinformatics.

First track

During the first half of the semester, we will be reading a book: Bioinformatics Data Skills. Book could be found in the library or purchased online. Each week students in groups of two will prepare and present in the class a chapter from the book in form of a lecture.

In the second half of the semester students in teams will be working on projects related to topics introduced in the book. Project topics should be decided on individual basis in a discussion with course responsible.

Second track

Activities to be performed by students of the second track:

• Register and submit an abstract to BREW2016 by February 8 (Bioinformatics Research and Educational Workshop in Helsinki). Submit the abstract, topic of the project and supervisor's name to course responsible.
• Submit a BREW paper by March 7.
• Submit a final paper to BREW by April 16. This paper will be considered as a final report for the seminar.
• Make a presentation on April 25. Supervisors will be invited.

Eligibility for the second track: PhD students in Bioinformatics.