Advanced Project in Bioinformatics, 30 credits

Contents

The course is conducted as an independent research project or investigation within an academic environment. During the course, the student has the opportunity to both deepen and broaden their knowledge in bioinformatics and to apply the knowledge acquired during their studies.

The student is given the opportunity to develop the ability to independently carry out and report a comprehensive project. The work is conducted using scientific methods and includes research components. The student participates in project planning and execution and documents and reports the obtained results in both written and oral form.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Demonstrate substantial deepened and broadened theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of bioinformatics.

Competence and skills:

• Demonstrate the ability to retrieve information from both review articles and scientific original articles.

• Demonstrate skills in analysis and method selection that reflect the limited time available for the course.

• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills to independently solve scientific problems.

• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and evaluate self-generated results.

• Demonstrate the ability to compare self-generated results with those from other research and reflect on similarities and differences.

• Demonstrate the ability to present the work in a written scientific report in English.

• Demonstrate the ability to independently present project results orally in English.

• Demonstrate the ability to document code using version control.

Judgement and approach:

• Demonstrate insight into the requirements necessary to solve scientific problems.

Required Knowledge

180 credits from completed courses, of which 60 credits from a combination of completed courses in bioinformatics, mathematics, mathematical statistics and/or computer science (programming, databases, algorithms), including at least 20 credits in programming; English 6/Level 2 from upper secondary school.

Form of instruction

The course begins with a general introduction to the project structure and examination, focusing on expected learning outcomes and scientific reporting. The project is carried out under supervision and includes an in-depth assignment connected to activities at an institution conducting research, a public authority, or a company. Projects within the university are supervised by a teacher at the relevant department. For students conducting the project outside the university, there must be both a university supervisor and a workplace supervisor. These students must also be given the opportunity to participate in the daily work at the workplace.

The language of instruction is English, but teaching may be conducted in Swedish if English is not required.

Examination modes

• Practical and theoretical activities are assessed continuously through individual discussions with the supervisor. These discussions aim to evaluate key project milestones and test the student’s ability to understand both the method and underlying theory, as well as the ability to analyze experimental results and draw conclusions.

• Individual oral presentation in English, in the form of a research seminar.

• Individual written report in English, in the form of a scientific research article.

• Documentation of analysis using version control tools (e.g., Git).

Grades awarded for the course are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). To receive a Pass (G) for the entire course, the student must achieve a Pass (G) on all examinations. To receive Pass with Distinction (VG), the student must achieve VG on the written report and G on the remaining examinations. The final grade is determined once all components have been assessed.

Students who do not pass the regular examination session are entitled to a re-examination. The first re-examination must be offered no later than two months after the regular examination, but no earlier than ten working days after the results of the regular examination have been announced. For examinations held in May and June, the first re-examination may be offered within three months of the regular examination. At least one additional re-examination (a so-called make-up examination) must be offered within one year of the regular session. Students who have passed an examination may not retake it for a higher grade.

A student who has failed two examinations for a course or part of a course is entitled to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons prevent this (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 22). Requests for a new examiner should be submitted to the Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology.

The examiner may decide on deviations from the examination format stated in the syllabus. Individual adaptation of the examination format should be considered based on the student’s needs. Adaptations must remain within the framework of the expected learning outcomes of the course. Students requiring adapted examinations must request this from the department responsible no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation and informs the student.

Other regulations

Crediting

Students have the right to apply for recognition of previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired through professional experience for corresponding education at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer should be submitted to the Student Services Office. More information on credit transfer is available on Umeå University’s student web and in the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6).

Transitional provisions

If the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination opportunities (including the regular examination) according to the regulations in the syllabus under which the student was originally registered, for a maximum of two years from the time the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the course was discontinued.