Bioinformatics
CMPSC-300-00: Bioinformatics (4 Credits)
Academic Bulletin Description
An introduction to the development and application of methods, from the computational and information sciences, for the investigation of biological phenomena. In this interdisciplinary course, students integrate computational techniques with biological knowledge to develop and use analytical tools for extracting, organizing, and interpreting information from genetic sequence data. Often participating in team-based and hands-on activities, students implement and apply useful bioinformatics algorithms. During a weekly laboratory session students employ cutting-edge software tools and programming environments to complete projects, reporting on their results through both written documents and oral presentations. Students are invited to use their own departmentally approved laptop in this course; a limited number of laptops are available for use during class and lab sessions. Prerequisite: BIO 221 and FSBIO 201, or CMPSC
The Lab
In order to acquire the proper skills in technical writing, critical reading, and the presentation and evaluation of technical material, it is essential for students to have hands-on experience in a laboratory. Therefore, it is mandatory for all students to attend the laboratory sessions. If you will not be able to attend a laboratory, then please see the one of the course instructor at least one week in advance in order to explain your situation. Students who miss more than two unexcused laboratories will have their final grade in the course reduced by one letter grade. Students who miss more than four unexcused laboratories will automatically fail the course.
Discord
If you are already on the department’s Discord server, then you will be given access to the course’s Discord channel, called #bioinformatics. If not, then you will need to join the department’s Discord server before you can be added to the course’s channel.
Meeting Information
Classes
Fall 2022 Main Campus
M/W/F 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM 8/30/2022 - 12/20/2022 Alden Hall, 109 Lecture
Labs
M 2:30 PM - 4:20 PM 8/30/2022 - 12/20/2022 Alden Hall, 109 Lab
Calendar
Office Hours
Syllabus and Planning Your Time
- See README.md at
classDocs/
TextBook
- Exploring Bioinformatics: A Project-based Approach, second edition, by Caroline St. Clair and Jonathan E. Visick. ISBN paperback: 978-1-284-02344-2
- Think Python, first edition, by Allen B. Downey. Publisher Website
Other Useful Textbooks
BUGS in Writing: A Guide to Debugging Your Prose (Second Edition). Lyn Dupr'e. Addison-Wesley Professional. ISBN-10: 020137921X and ISBN-13: 978-0201379211, 704 pages, 1998. References to the textbook are abbreviated as “BIW”.
Writing for Computer Science (Second Edition). Justin Zobel. Springer ISBN-10: 1852338024 and ISBN-13:978-1852338022, 270 pages, 2004. References to the textbook are abbreviated as “WFCS”.