Module Catalogues

Bioinformatics Project

Module Title Bioinformatics Project
Module Level Level 2
Module Credits 5.00

Aims and Fit of Module

This module is designed to provide students with a comprehensive training on the essential knowledge and skills required to perform real-world bioinformatics projects.
The module covers the following key aspects:
1. Defining a research problem: how to identify and articulate pertinent research questions within the realm of bioinformatics.
2. Data retrieval and Acquisition: how to effectively search for and extract relevant data from public databases.
3. Bioinformatics pipelines: how to implement well-established protocols to address concrete biological problems.
4. Results communication: how to present findings through high standard data visualizations and academic writing.
5. Academic presentation: how to deliver talks to both specialized and general audiences.
Through this module, students will be empowered to successfully navigate the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics under the perspective of research and applications.

Learning outcomes

A	Articulate and define a pertinent research problem within the field of bioinformatics, highlighting its significance and relevance to current scientific discourse.
B Implement a bioinformatics pipeline that effectively addresses the defined research problem, showcasing an understanding of advanced bioinformatics protocols and techniques.
C Search and retrieve data of interest from public biological databases.
D Critically interpret the results of bioinformatics analyses, using sound biological knowledge to place these findings in the broader context of the field.
E Communicate research findings effectively through a variety of mediums. This includes creating compelling written narratives, developing high-impact data visualizations, and delivering engaging oral presentations tailored to both specialized and general audiences.

Method of teaching and learning

This module allows students to carry out individual mini-projects in bioinformatics, concentrating on next-generation sequencing data analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. By implementing computational pipelines, they'll strengthen their grasp of bioinformatics methodologies.
Students will attend workshops to improve their presentation skills, academic writing, and figure & table creation, emphasizing clarity, brevity, and visual appeal for diverse audiences.
Instructors will lead journal clubs, helping students delve into groundbreaking bioinformatics research while developing critical skills in assessing the content and presentation of papers.
Finally, students will deliver oral presentations and write academic papers on their chosen projects. Academic staff will provide extensive guidance and feedback to ensure students master the principles and formats of academic communication.