MSc Bioinformatics

at University of Glasgow

Bioinformatics Helps Biologists Gain New Insights About Genomes (Genomics) And Genes, About Rna Expression Products Of Genes (Transcriptomics) And About Proteins (Proteomics); Rapid Advances Have Also Been Made In The Study Of Cellular Metabolites (Metabolomics) And In A Newer Area, Systems Biology.
 

‘Polyomics’ Is An Intrinsically Systems-Level Approach Involving The Integration Of Data From These ‘Functional Genomics’ Areas - Genomics, Transcriptomics, Proteomics And Metabolomics - To Derive New Insights About How Biological Systems Function.
 

The Programme Structure Is Designed To Equip Students With Understanding And Hands-On Experience Of Both Computing And Biological Research Practices Relating To Bioinformatics And Functional Genomics, To Show Students How The Computing Approaches And Biological Questions They Are Being Used To Answer Are Connected, And To Give Students An Insight Into New Approaches For Integration Of Data And Analysis Across The 'Omics' Domains.
 

On This Programme, You Will Develop A Range Of Computing And Programming Skills, As Well As Skills In Data Handling, Analysis (Including Statistics) And Interpretation, And You Will Be Brought Up To Date With Recent Advances In Biological Science That Have Been Informed By Bioinformatics Approaches.
 

The Programme Has The Following Overall Structure:
 

Core Material Of 60 Credits In Semester 1, Made Up Of 10 And 20 Credit Courses

Optional Material Of 60 Credits In Semester 2: Students Select 4 Courses (Two 10 Credit Courses And Two 20 Credit Courses) From Those Available.

Project Of 60 Credits Over 14 Weeks Embedded In A Research Group Over The Summer.

Core Courses Include:

• Biological Computing In Python
• Foundations Of Bioinformatics: An Introduction To Computational Biology And Omics Analysis
• Msc Bioinformatics Project
• Programming And Databases For Biologists
• Statistics And Data Analysis For Bioinformatics
   

Optional Courses Include:

• Animal Models Of Disease
• Bio-Imaging For Research Scientists
• Data Exploration And Interpretation For Bioinformatics
• Clinical Genomics
• Identification Of Disease-Causing Genetic Variants
• Omic Analyses For The Biomedical Sciences: From Genomics To Metabolomic
• Pathogen Polyomics
• Rna-Seq And Next Generation Transcriptomics
• Using Chemical Structure Databases In Drug Discovery

Normally an upper second-class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Professional experience may be taken into account. Applicants with a lower second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Relevant degree subjects are

• all biology degrees with a substantial molecular biology or genetics component.

• other biology degrees with at least some molecular biology.

• computing science, software engineering or IT.

• mathematics or statistics (with evidence of experience in computer programming).

• other physical sciences subjects with either evidence of experience in computer programming or evidence of a strong background in molecular biology.
   

For all other degree backgrounds, please consult the programme director for advice before applying.
 

You do not need to have previous experience in computer programming, but you should be numerate as part of the programme is spent learning programming and many of the courses involve statistical analysis. We may admit you if your background is outside molecular biology and we are confident that you can develop your understanding of the biology background in a timely manner.
 

If you have a degree in a molecular bioscience and want to specialise or enhance your skills in biological computing, this programme is designed for you.
 

If your background is in a non-molecular life science or in another discipline such as computing science, please apply anyway, or enquire (see the contact listed above), as we do often take students with other backgrounds.
 

English language requirements
 

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0. 

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Common equivalent English language qualifications
 

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
 

TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

• 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23. 

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

PTE (Academic or Academic Online)

• 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169

• Tests must have been taken within 4 years 5 months, combined scores from 2 tests sat within 6 months of each other can be considered.
   

Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)

• 65%.

• Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
   

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.
   

Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)

• Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country

• Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country

• Masters degree from English speaking country

• Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.

MSc
 

UK

• Full-time fee: £10050
   

International & EU

• Full-time fee: £27930

Most of our graduates embark on a University or Institute-based research career path, here in the UK or abroad, using the skills they've acquired on our programme in fields such as biomedical and translational research, cancer research, clinical brain sciences, genomics, human genetics, human nutrition and infection & immunity.
 

These skills are now of primary relevance in many areas of modern biology and biomedicine with many successful in getting a PhD studentship.
 

A postgraduate degree in bioinformatics is also valued by many employers in the life sciences sector, for example, computing biology jobs in biosciences, biotechnology, neuroinformatics and pharma industries.
 

Some of our graduates have entered science-related careers in scientific publishing or education. While others have gone into computing-related jobs in non-bioscience industry or the public sector.
 

Some have entered a wide range of job roles with examples including bioinformatician (now a career path within academia in its own right), computational biologist, computer programmer, research assistant, research scientist and research technician.