BIOL8802 Bioinformatics GE

Students will learn the key bioinformatic core competencies to fully develop their skills in modern biological sciences. Students will utilise bioinformatic software packages and principles to explore how viruses, cells and organisms function and change at the molecular informatic level. To achieve this, students will analyse and evaluate data sets from cellular, environmental, forensic and medical biology to solve current, relevant biological problems. Finally, students will synthesise and critique their analyses to demonstrate understanding in individual reports that systematically and accurately emulate a scientific paper with original thought and insight to familiarise themselves with modern means of scientific communication.

The educational aims of the topic are for the students to understand the importance of analysing biologically-related data sets to understand biological and ecological processes in a modern context.

1. Show competence and the ability to critically analyse bioinformatic software package output for at least 2 of DNA, RNA, protein or other bioinformatic software packages
2. Perform detailed critical data analysis using at least 1 software package
3. Demonstrate understanding of the analysis through written lab reports that critique package performance and shortcomings
4. Develop the ability to integrate and critically synthesise the skills learned by producing a semester report in a scientific paper format
5. Communicate results with a short video presentation