General Programme Practical How to apply? What is Bioinformatics? "Research into heredity and diseases is no longer possible without programmers. Wondering how you can apply IT and biology skills to lifelike problems in health and disease? Then this English-taught semester Bioinformatics in Bruges is something for you!" Bioinformatics is a new and spectacular field that uses methods from informatics to store and process molecular biological information (DNA, proteins, functions). In bioinformatics, molecular biology is combined with informatics and programming. A bioinformatics scientist is capable of retrieving the necessary information from databases and using these to make predictions. He will play an important role in the development of new medicines in the field of cancer, Alzheimer, etc. In the course of the English taught semesters bioinformatics, three roles are covered, viz. the role of programmer, the role of informatics scientist and the role of bioinformatics scientist. You learn several programming languages such as PHP, Python and R and you use the most relevant databases of which you learn to process and interpret the data. During the program there is a special emphasis on standard and essential tools, both in a Windows and in a Linux environment. This English-taught semester is organised by the cluster of Life Sciences. This program is only available in English. Introduction In each course unit both theoretical and practical input is given. In autumn semester, the course units are organised in two periods of six weeks, each followed by an exam period. In spring semester, the course units are organised in one period of six weeks, followed by an exam period and finalised with a traineeship. As spring semester is preceded by our autumn semester, some spring course units benefit from learning outcomes taught in autumn. If this is the case, this is specified (see Prerequisites). Our program also offers the opportunity for hands-on experience through a traineeship exchange. For those interested, we can arrange a learning agreement traineeship with your institution. Please note, this option is only available for students currently enrolled in a bioinformatics program. If you should doubt about being eligible for this educational programme or if you have questions concerning your learning agreement study, please contact us. Course overview autumn semester In the schedule below a brief description is mentioned. For detailed information about our programme, objectives and learning goals we refer to the following pdf file. Find the course unit descriptions for this programme (course catalogue) here. BIT01 Linux Operating Systems (5 ECTS) Installing and learning basic Linux commands Drawing simple “bash” scripts Installing (bioinformatics) tools Knowledge of Linux is necessary to be able to follow the course units BIT02, BIT04, BIT05, BIT06 and BIT09 . BIT02 Web Technologies (5 ECTS) Introduction to programming (HTML, CSS, PHP) Basic concepts of visualizing data through web based applications This course unit serves as a basis for subsequent programming course units. BIT03 Structural Bioinformatics (5 ECTS) Fundamentals of nucleic acid and protein structures Molecular visualization in PyMOL Protein structure validation, studying protein function and interaction, structure prediction and docking BIT04 Databases and Data Management (5 ECTS) Basic database system structures and manipulations of databases (MySQL and MongoDB) Principle to retrieve data from public databases (eg. Ensembl) Version control of scripts using GIT Data management according to the FAIR principles BIT05 Scripting (5 ECTS) Programming in Python Scripting bioinformatics pipelines BIT06 Comparative Genomic Analysis (5 ECTS) Introduction to bioinformatics (sequence) databases Aligning sequences and phylogenetic tree construction (Natural) genetic variation English for Exchange Students - evening course (optional) (3 ECTS) This English course provides exchange students with an intensive training in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, all focused on their ongoing or upcoming academic experience. The lecturer will take the diversity of academic areas of the participants into account, by addressing a range of topics and choosing subjects that are relevant to the attending students wherever possible. The course aims at the B2 proficiency level and uses the IELTS methodology. We strongly recommended it to all exchange students who have not fully achieved the B2-level in English at the moment of application for their mobility project. For the more proficient students, we still see the course as a useful immersion experience. Course overview spring semester In the schedule below a brief description is mentioned, for detailed information about our programme, objectives and learning goals we refer to the following pdf file. Find the course unit descriptions for this programme (course catalogue) here. BIT07 Machine Learning (5 ECTS) Preprocessing of biological datasets Classifying and clustering of data Neural networks and deep learning Knowledge of Python is necessary to be able to follow the course unit BIT07. BIT08 Data Analysis, Visualization and Biostatistics Using R (5 ECTS) Basics of R Data analysis and visualization Statistical testing BIT09 High Throughput Analysis (5 ECTS) High throughput technologies Next generation sequencing (NGS) pipeline Differential expression analysis in R Only possible to choose if enrolling both autumn (period 1B) + spring semester (period 2C) Basic knowledge of R is necessary to be able to follow the course unit BIT09 (second part 2C) BIT10 Systems Biology (5 ECTS) Construction and simulation of biochemical networks Construction and analysis of gene regulatory and/or protein interaction networks BIT11 Traineeship (10 ECTS) The final step in the advanced bachelor of bioinformatics programme is the actual experience in the work field: the traineeship. The objective is to apply several learning outcomes in work situations. Because of its size in duration and ECTS and as it is the ideal step-up in the work field, the traineeship is the perfect method to function as a bioinformatician in a complex authentic situation. Only possible to choose if enrolling for all course units in both autumn + spring semester English for Exchange Students - evening course (optional) (3 ECTS) This English course provides exchange students with an intensive training in speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, all focused on their ongoing or upcoming academic experience. The lecturer will take the diversity of academic areas of the participants into account, by addressing a range of topics and choosing subjects that are relevant to the attending students wherever possible. The course aims at the B2 proficiency level and uses the IELTS methodology. We strongly recommended it to all exchange students who have not fully achieved the B2-level in English at the moment of application for their mobility project. For the more proficient students, we still see the course as a useful immersion experience. Is this the course I'm looking for? These international semesters are aimed both at bachelor students within the field of biomedical sciences as bachelor students within the field of bioinformatics. The programme focuses on the development of both theoretical and practical dry lab skills. Our program is designed to help you develop expertise in three key roles within the field of bioinformatics: bioinformatician, programmer and informatician. Each course unit is tailored to one of these specific roles to provide you with the most comprehensive and applicable education. Prerequisites Minimum 4 successfully completed semesters or an equivalent of 120 ECTS in a scientific Bachelor programme. We strongly recommend a profound knowledge of molecular biology on a bachelor level in order to have enough background to follow the different course units. When not enrolling for all autumn semester course units, experience with working in a Linux environment (course unit BIT01) is highly recommended in order to follow the following course units without problems: BIT04 Databases and data management, BIT05: Scripting. When enrolling in spring semester and choosing to follow BIT07 Machine learning, basic knowledge for working with Python (course unit BIT05) is required. Additionally, for BIT09 High throughput analysis, experience with working in a Linux environment (course unit BIT01) is required. The applicant needs to prove that he/she fulfils these requirements by means of an official certificate, a survey of completed courses, transcripts of records or a signed letter from the sending university. An applicant can be asked to complete a technical test prior to enrolment to determine their level of knowledge of chosen topics. The English proficiency level we expect from incoming students is the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages (CEFR), in reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills. We expect applying students to provide proof of their proficiency in English in one of the following ways (Erasmus students provide the proof of their home university international coordinator): A signed confirmation letter from the sending university, stating that the applicant’s language skills reach the B2 level and thus are sufficient to attend courses, participate in different types of classroom and examination activities. (Only valid for exchange students). The results of a (free) online language test which can be related to the CEFR B2 level, such as Dialang, Testpodium or the Erasmus online language test. The online test should have been taken under the supervision of the sending institution. The result sheet needs to be stamped and signed by a staff member of the sending institution. (Only valid for exchange students) An official certificate or score report referring to the European Framework or from one of the recognised language tests, e.g. TOEFL: paper based 550/internet based 79/ computer based 213 or IELTS: 5.5, no partial results below 5. The following applicants are not required to document their language skills for study at Howest: applicants from countries having English as their national language; applicants attending a full-time degree programme at their home institution taught in English. Howest reserves the right to contact the sending university to verify the information on language proficiency, or to contact the applicant for a telephone or Skype conversation in English. All students should bring their own laptop, with the following minimum requirements: Windows, Mac or Linux operating system i5 or i7 processor at least 8 GB RAM (preferably 16 GB RAM) sufficient disk space (minimum 150 GB of free solid state disk drive space) More details can be found on www.howest.be/laptops Non-exchange students can only attend the full programme as an advanced bachelor and need to have completed at least a full Bachelor degree programme, with profound knowledge of molecular biology at the time they start the courses at Howest. Howest applies a very strict policy on the use of legal software, therefore in most bioinformatics course units open source software is installed and used. How to apply as an incoming international student All information on nominations, applications and tuitions can be found here. Programme in pictures "Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent, and original manner possible." - Richard Feynman. Studying bioinformatics at Howest has allowed me to do just that, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in such an exciting and dynamic field. I have also had the opportunity to work with and learn from people with different backgrounds and perspectives, which has been both enlightening and rewarding. Being able to study in one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities has made my bioinformatics program even more special, and it has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about science and the world around me. Rogelio Lopez Camacho, Mexico Register now! Have you decided? We look forward to welcoming you to our Howest community! You can find all information about registering via the link below. Apply now Contact Do you have questions? Don't hesitate to contact us! Kaat Janssens International Coordinator Contact