September 12-23: Advanced Biocomputing
Over the last decade, biological data sets have been rapidly growing in size and complexity. This course focuses on how to use computers to streamline the analysis of biological data, with an emphasis on “working smart” rather then hard. Developing a solid background in how computers can facilitate biological research will not only help with your thesis projects, but will also make you more “marketable” for post-docs and faculty positions in the future.
Main content
PREREQUISITES: Background in molecular genetics and statistics is strongly required. It is expected that everyone has already taken some type of statistics course as well as courses in molecular biology, etc. Lectures will assume that everyone is comfortable with these subjects. If you are not, I would suggest dropping the course and taking it at a later date.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Over the last decade, biological data sets have been rapidly growing in size and complexity. This course focuses on how to use computers to streamline the analysis of biological data, with an emphasis on “working smart” rather then hard. Developing a solid background in how computers can facilitate biological research will not only help with your thesis projects, but will also make you more “marketable” for post-docs and faculty positions in the future.
STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR OWN WINDOWS OR APPLE LAPTOP FOR USE IN CLASS. ALL FILES ON THE LAPTOP SHOULD BE BACKED UP PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS AND THERE SHOULD BE (AT LEAST) 20GB OF FREE HARD DRIVE SPACE ON THE MACHINE.
Topics will include:
- Installation of Linux (PCs) and Developer Tools (Apple)
- Writing simple programs to automate repetitive tasks
- Analysis of nucleotide and amino acid data
- How to utilize the R package for statistical computing
- Web servers and databases
- Design and creation of graphs, figures and maps for presentation and publication
Organizer and main tutor:
Professor Scott R. Santos, Department of Biological Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biosciences Peak Program & Molette Biology Laboratory for Environmental and Climate Change Studies Auburn University:
http://www.auburn.edu/~santosr/
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/cosam/faculty/biology/santos/
http://www.auburn.edu/academic/cosam/departments/biology/molette_lab/
ADDITIONAL STUDY AIDS FOR THIS COURSE:
Additional reading materials, in the form of PDFs and HTML documents, will be used to supplement readings from the above books. These will be distributed either via email attachments or posted links from a computer server. These materials will be made available on the Friday following the class that they are assigned in.
The lectures will be held every day at Conference room D (first week) and A (second week) at the VilVite Center, Thormølensgate 51
4 ECTS credits will be awarded for the course
Registration: contact@mcb.uib.no Please include your name and address, your workplace, position and a valid invoice address (if different from your personal address)
Deadline: September 1st 2011
Course fee: 2000NOK for anyone who are not PhD-candidates at the University of Bergen
Teaching hours: 9-12.30 (Scott Santos will also be available for additional instruction after 12.30 )
