RBIF 120
Advanced Topics in Computational Biology
This course introduces the basic techniques of bioinformatics research and its grounding principles in the scientific method. A committee of instructors assists each student in the design and execution of an advanced research project in computational biology.
General focus for independent student projects will be chosen by the faculty committee, usually focused on a systems biology question. Student projects must incorporate programming and database-focused integration and management of empirical data, and involve two or more of approaches in systems modeling, sequence analysis (genomics/proteomics), artificial intelligence/pattern detection, discrete mathematics and statistics, or phylogenetics.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Use the scientific method in project design.
Match experimental design and methodological choices to a specific scientific question.
Acquire and integrate necessary data into a useable database format.
Design methods for analysis of the data.
Design proof-of-feasibility studies.
Design and present a project proposal.
Design adequate methods to analyze and test experimental results.
Keep a comprehensive experimental notebook/record of their process.
Prepare a final report and presentation with the results of the project.
Use standard scientific article format to prepare the manuscript.
Archive and annotate methods and data in forms that allow results to be reproduced at a later date.
Execute a close-ended research project with a final product ready for presentation.
