| [ studyingabroad ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): Convex (4ever 0~) 날 짜 (Date): 2000년 6월 11일 일요일 오전 11시 41분 33초 제 목(Title): M.Sc. in Biosystems and Informatics M.Sc., Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Biosystems & Informatics The University of Liverpool The School of Biological Sciences and the Department of Computer Science will be offering a new one-year full-time M.Sc. in Biosystems & Informatics from September 2000. o The course context This course explores the interface between two of the most dynamic and influential subject areas of our time, biology and computing. In 1995 the sequencing of the first genome of a free-living organism moved biology irrevocably into the new data-rich era of bioinformatics. The availability of the blueprint of simple organisms and, in the near future, of humans has not of itself answered all our questions. New knowledge leads to new perspectives, new challenges and, ultimately, the promise of new products, leading to fundamental changes in the way that the pharmaceutical industry, for example, goes about its business. For the moment, however, the blueprint offers a static, incomplete and sometimes conjectural picture of the cell and organism. Beyond the detail of connecting gene to function, what is missing is the dynamic: a clear model of how a single gene functions within a complex network to govern expression of the blueprint, an understanding of how the protein folds, and a vision of how metabolic pathways and, in their turn, cells, tissues and organs are integrated to deliver the features we commonly recognise in living organisms. This fundamental shift would not have been possible without the power of modern information technology. The storage, manipulation and analysis of sequence and structural data pose leading edge computational challenges. Progress has been greatly facilitated by development of Web- accessible databases and applications software. Computers are also providing the means to simulate many of the dynamic features of life that are currently of interest and thereby to test and inform hypotheses. The flow of benefit has not, however, been entirely in one direction into the life sciences. Much of what we understand about the organisation of biological processes can in turn be applied to produce new approaches to solving problems in computer science, such as neural and evolutionary computing. The virtuous circle is complete when these new techniques are themselves applied to biological problems. o The course The M.Sc. in Biosystems & Informatics addresses the issues identified above from the perspective of both the biologist and the computer scientist. The aim of the course is to enable life science graduates to become conversant with the use of computers to address biological problems by means of molecular data (bio/informatics) and modelling of biological systems (biosystems). A complementary aim is to provide computer science graduates with a grounding in the life sciences sufficient to enable them to work on life science problems and develop applications employing biological metaphors. Both areas increasingly rely on World-Wide Web data and tools which will be a significant feature of the course for both cohorts of students. The course will admit students with B.Sc. degrees at a 2.II standard or better in either: o A life or biomedical science underpinned by a good level of IT awareness. o Computer science, mathematics, engineering or other appropriate degree with a significant IT component. Biology students should ideally have an A-level in mathematics, physics or information technology whilst for other graduates, a science A-level would be preferred. o Course structure The academic year comprises three semesters and students take modules to an equivalent of 4 points (60 CATS) in each semester. Semester 1: Students take 1-point modules in Bioinformatics and Java Programming. They then have a choice of two further 1-point modules chosen according to their background from the following: Fundamental molecular biology, Advanced topics in molecular biology, Biocomputing and Application of information technology. Point at which Postgraduate Certificate can be awarded Semester 2: Students take a 1.5-point module in Biosystems and continue the theme of the first semester with a 0.5-point module entitled Case studies on advanced topics in bioinformatics. They undertake a 1-point dissertation and then choose one further module from the following: Knowledge-based systems, Data structures and maintenance, Biology of information, Efficient parallel algorithms. Point at which a Postgraduate Diploma can be awarded. Semester 3: Students undertake a 4-point research project making use of the new skills and perspectives they have obtained. Point at which a Masters degree can be awarded. In order to obtain credit for a course module that can be included in a 'record of achievement' transcript, the student must achieve a pass mark of at least 50% in that module. The award of M.Sc. requires that a minimum of 180 credits be obtained, this representing a mark of 50% or more in all modules. The award of a Postgraduate Diploma requires a minimum of 120 credits and award of a Postgraduate Certificate a minimum of 60 credits. o Careers The employment prospects for bioinformaticians are currently very good as there is a widely recognised shortage of trained staff, particularly at the post-doctoral level. A survey conducted by the BBSRC estimated that there was an immediate requirement for a 60% increase in staff numbers in the non-medical bioscience academic sector, and a corresponding 45% increase required in the large pharmaceutical companies. Some 60 posts are currently advertised for the UK and Europe on the CCP11 Web noticeboard. A longer international list can be consulted at the GenomeJobs Web site. Celera, arguably the most ambitious and well-funded of the new US companies, claims to be hiring one person per day at present with the majority of its staff being software, IT, and bioinformatics professionals. o Biocomputing at Liverpool Liverpool is well placed to exploit these new interfacial themes. The Department of Computer Science has been proactive both in exploiting the new biological paradigms in its own teaching and research and in forming productive alliances with biologists, most notably through the auspices of the Biocomputing Group. Dr Paton has been instrumental in establishing the IPCAT (Information processing in cells and tissues) conference as a major focus for international developments and more recently has piloted the EPSRC-funded CytoCom network at a national level. Professor Gibbons secured funding under the EPSRC/BBSRC Bioinformatics Program in the area of Generalised DNA Computing with viable resources. The biosciences within the University range through the many facets of traditional biology to biomedicine, bioengineering and veterinary and dental sciences. Biological Sciences has obtained HEFCE competitive funding for creation of the new Liverpool Biosciences Centre and, in association with other departments, has recently attract ed JREI funding for research equipment of significance for bioinformatics development (e.g. tools for proteome analysis, microarray robot). Genomics and proteomics are at the core of these developments and in turn rely extensively on bioinformatics. o For further information Please contact the Course Organiser, Dr Martyn Amos, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB. United Kingdom Tel:(+44) (0)151 794 4414 Fax: (+44) (0)151 794 4401 E-mail: mamos@liv.ac.uk ** DETAILS ON THE WEB AT http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~martyn/biosystems ** -- Dr Martyn Amos -- mamos@liv.ac.uk -- School of Biological Sciences and http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~martyn/ -- Department of Computer Science, "Carp Diem" -- Fish of the day -- University of Liverpool, UK **** 베낌 끝 --,--`-<@ 매일 그대와 아침햇살 받으며 매일 그대와 눈을 뜨고파.. 잠이 들고파.. Till the rivers flow up stream | Love is real \|||/ @@@ Till lovers cease to dream | Love is touch @|~j~|@ @^j^@ Till then, I'm yours, be mine | Love is free | ~ | @@ ~ @@ |