BSc in Molecular Bioinformatics

There is explosive development in the Life Science area. New technology for generating and analyzing large amounts of biological data has created entirely new possibilities in biology. As a bioinformatician, you combine biology with computer science and statistics. The biologist of today must have strong competence in IT systems to meet the future challenges of digitalization.

About the Programme

Bioinformatics has become integral in many biological fields, especially in experimental molecular biology and biomedicine. Today there is the possibility of measuring thousands of variables from a single biological sample (e.g. blood, saliva, or tissue), which has created fantastic opportunities to develop, for example, individual-based medication.

The objectives of the molecular bioinformatics program are to provide you with a broad knowledge of bioinformatics with applications in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biomedicine. Studies in these core subjects can also be combined with courses in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Focus of Your Studies

The first year of the curriculum contains introductory courses in bioinformatics, chemistry, cell biology, and genetics. The focus of the first year is on applied bioinformatics and basic knowledge in biosciences. The second year focuses on knowledge and skills in handling and analyzing biological data. You will also gain additional knowledge in genetics, programming, and statistics. In the third year, you have the opportunity to specialize in software development in bioinformatics, but you can additionally also study project management and entrepreneurship. The study program ends with a dissertation project comprising 30 ECTS credits.

During your studies, lectures will be mixed with biological experiments and computer laboratory work. You will learn how to use various computerized tools for compiling and analyzing data from research projects and biological experiments, for example, sequence analysis and gene expression analysis. The language of tuition is English.

Upon Completion of Your Studies

There is currently a lack of graduated bioinformaticians, and you have a broad range of opportunities in the job market. There is a growing need for bioinformaticians who can analyze large-scale biological data and develop new tools and methods for such analyzes.

Bioinformaticians will in the future form an essential part of the staff in clinical laboratories.

Further Studies

After completing studies at the undergraduate level, you may also continue studying at our one- or two-year master's programs at the advanced/graduate level. These study programs focus on applied areas such as bioinformatics, infection biology, biotechnology, or biomarkers. You are also eligible for further studies at other universities.

Research

Our research in bioinformatics focuses on the development and usage of methods and algorithms for the analysis of biological datasets. We have close collaborations with researchers at our industry partners and we also collaborate with other research groups, both within and outside the university.

We are a modern and welcoming university, with first-class education and internationally competitive research, a place where we strive for the greatest accomplishments.

Ever since its inception in 1977, we have aimed for excellence. Every decision, every achievement has emerged from a focus on creating excellent and well-known educations and research specializations that make a difference to reality.

Education

We are a modern and welcoming university, with first-class education and internationally competitive research, a place where we strive for the greatest accomplishments. The University of Skövde offers a wide range of postgraduate studies and International Master's programs taught in English as well as three Bachelor's programs.

Research for Change

The researchers at the University of Skövde want to contribute to making changes. That is why our research efforts are carried out in tight collaboration with our community. Furthermore, the research has a clear connection to the education at the university.

Our aim is that the university's research should make a difference locally, nationally as well as internationally. The share of the research that receives external funds is 66% (2019), and our principal contributors are KK-stiftelsen (The Knowledge Foundation), the EU, the Region Västra Götaland, and private companies.

The University of Skövde has five research fields. Three of these are Systems Biology, Informatics, and Virtual Engineering. These three form the foundation for INFINIT. The university's joint theme of Digitalization for Sustainable Development should always be integrated into all research projects and environments to the greatest extent possible.