This course is designed to investigate current topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, with emphasis on the current research literature.   This will give the students the opportunity to explore how concepts and techniques introduced in the BMB curriculum are applied in a contemporary research project.  We will begin with an investigation of bioinformatics and genomics and then move to other topics selected by the students.   

BIOL 250.  Introduction to Bioinformatics
(2 credits)
Staff

Pre-requisites: none
Bioinformatics has emerged as a major element for education and research in biological systems. This course will provide an introduction to bioinformatics and computational biology tools, applications and resources in present day use.  Illustrative examples from current research will be used throughout the course. With a goal of fostering an understanding of tools in use at the intersection of biology and computation, the course will be topically balanced and suited to biologists, computer and computational scientists and biochemists. Course coverage will include basics for data representation, genomics, proteomics, sequence searching and comparison, data analysis and visualization, data security and use of predictive applications and simulations.