Master in Bioinformatics

Would you like to be involved in the development of the healthcare and medicine of tomorrow? The cross-disciplinary Bioinformatics Master’s program combines biology with IT tools derived from the field of computer science. You will have the opportunity to process, organize and analyze large biological data sets, which will enable you to contribute to the understanding of (for example) disease progression and how patients respond to medical treatments.

About the Programme

This study program aims to provide you with a range of specialist skills within the field of bioinformatics. You will also develop your capacity for independent problem-solving, planning, conducting analyses, and the collation, processing, and critical evaluation of results. Within the field of bioinformatics, you will study courses focusing on subjects including bioinformatical algorithms, programming, large-scale data analysis, and bioinformatical research and development. You will also perform a degree project within the field of bioinformatics. Your studies will combine lectures with laboratory work in an IT environment. You will learn about different computerized tools for the collation and analysis of data from research projects and biological experiments, as well as different methods for the analysis of (e.g.) DNA sequences and gene expression data.

Constituent Courses in the Study Programme

This is a one-year study program, and the first semester comprises four courses. The first two courses are Concepts and Methods of Bioinformatics and Bioinformatical Analysis with Perl. These courses provide both a broad introduction to the field and a basic grounding in programming and algorithm development. They are followed by Bioinformatical Analysis with R and The Bioinformatical Research Process. Bioinformatical Analysis with R introduces the R programming language and the statistical analysis of large-scale biological data. The Bioinformatical Research Process includes a series of seminars that provide insight into relevant research. This also constitutes a preparatory course for the degree project. The second semester is devoted to the degree project, in which you will formulate and work with a relevant research problem.

Opportunities for Further Study

Upon successful completion of this study program, you may continue with a research program in bioinformatics.

Research within This Field

Research within the field of bioinformatics is progressing rapidly. This can be divided into the development of new bioinformatical tools and the application of tools for the analysis of biological data. For the research group at the University of Skövde, the most important area for research currently concerns the identification of biomarkers. The group is conducting bioinformatical studies in the field of stem cell differentiation.

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.