Bioinformatics & Computational Genomics

Overview

The past decade has seen enormous advances in molecular and biomedical technology resulting in the ‘omics’ revolution.



Bioinformatics (health data science) covers the application of mathematics, statistics and computing to biological and clinical scenarios. Algorithms and software tools are used to understand and interpret patient-derived ‘Big Data’.



What's Involved?

You will be use data science tools to analyse clinical and ‘omics data in order to find complex patterns relating to patient response to treatments and prognosis. You will discover results that have the potential to translate to the real world, through clinical trials or commercialisation. Using the skills and tools developed in the course you will derive unique solutions to clinical and biological problems. By the end of the degree you will be ready to work within a multidisciplinary team alongside bioinformaticians, biologists and clinicians.



You will be taught by active researchers from the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/cancer-research/, the Welcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/wwiem/), and the Centre for Public Health (http://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/CentreforPublicHealth/).



This is complemented by guest lectures from industrial and clinical collaborators.



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.



Please note a deposit will be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.



Course Structure

1. Students may enrol on a full time (one year) basis. There is an introductory module to Cell Biology and Computational Analysis during the first two weeks. This is followed by three (20 CAT) modules in Semester 1, and four modules (2 x 20 CAT and 2 x 10 CAT) during Semester 2.



The MSc is awarded to students who successfully complete all taught modules (120 CATS) and a dissertation (60 CATS).



A Diploma exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 120 CATS points of taught modules.



A Certificate exit qualification is available to those students who have successfully completed 60 CATS points of taught modules.

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

Systems Medicine: from Molecules to Populations (10 credits)

Biostatistical Informatics (20 credits)

Genomics and Human Disease (20 credits)

Health and Biomedical informatics and the exposome (10 credits)

Applied Genomics (20 credits)

Scientific Programming & Statistical Computing (20 credits)

Analysis of Gene Expression (20 credits)

Dissertation (60 credits)

Graduate

A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a Natural Science subject, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a relevant medical or life sciences subject (e.g. Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Physics or Statistics). A medical (MB) or dental degree (BDS) is also considered.



Applicants must have completed (and passed at equivalent of UK 2:1 standard) a subject/module from any of the following groups:

1. genetics/genomics/molecular biology/biomedical science

2. chemistry/medicinal chemistry/biochemistry

3. mathematics/statistics-related subjects

4. computing/computer science/informatics.



Intercalating Medical and Dental Applicants:

An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate will be considered if:

a) They have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying.

b) Achieved at least an overall Upper Second Class Honours degree standard as determined by their University



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2024 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

1 year (Full Time)

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects

The rapid production of 'omics' data within medicine and the life sciences has meant that individuals with analytical experience in this field are highly sought after. Recent graduates have gone on to work in industry in companies such as Almac Diagnostics, Biokinetic Europe and Fios Genomics and some have gone onto further PHD level research. http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/



Employment after the Course

Many of our students go on to pursue further PhD study in Bioinformatics at Queen’s and further afield. Others go on to work in a variety of roles in both the private and public sector here in Northern Ireland and internationally. The following are some of the jobs they have taken on:



Bioinformatician at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

Application Scientist at Dotmatics

Network and Security Engineer at Darktrace

Junior Bioinformatic Scientist at Almac Group

Bioinformatician at Fios Genomics Ltd

Biomedical Scientist and Junior Bioinformatician, BioKinetic Europe

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/