Course summary

Drive health and bioscience innovation. Develop your understanding of complex data sets and machine learning tools in order to drive new discoveries with an Online MSc Bioinformatics. Embrace data-driven bioscience Connecting contemporary topics across biology and computer science, our Online MSc Bioinformatics will help you to master and communicate with cutting-edge methods of data manipulation and learn how to utilise them in cutting-edge health and life science research. Led by active researchers in bioinformatics and linked to institutions across the world, this programme content is grounded in real-world experience and designed to help you develop the practical skills you need to further your career in this progressive field. Delivered by the intrinsically multidisciplinary Centre for Computational Biology, the programme is uniquely placed to support those eager to get ahead in this fast-growing industry - from biologists and healthcare professionals already interested in data analysis, to statisticians or computer scientists wishing to apply their skills in health and biology. Your programme of study Our Online MSc Bioinformatics connects biology, clinical applications, mathematics and computer science on a programme that bridges the fields of health informatics, machine learning and systems biology. Taught by our research-led lecturer team at the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Computational Biology, you'll learn how to apply real-world data and use it to inform your decision making. Through mini-case studies and group projects, you’ll work through real-life examples, drawing on connections with from across the globe – along with other industry partnerships. Combined with hands-on coding and data analysis exercises, you will complete your studies with both the theory and the practical skills you need. This 180-credit programme is split into twelve 10-credit taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation. Students will study six modules per year of the programme, with each module lasting approximately 8 weeks. Modules will cover a wide range of contemporary topics, such as the foundations of programming, statistics, omics, health analytics, machine learning and advanced computational methods. Programme outcomes include:

• Exploring the ethical implications of research in biology-related fields.

• Developing an understanding of data types used in bioinformatics including health, genomic, epigenetic, and metabolic data.

• Gaining an understanding of omics, environmental science and toxicology, computing, algorithmics, programming and the technologies underlying biology.

• Understanding the statistical concepts and advanced machine learning techniques used in bioinformatics.

• Applying statistical and computational techniques underpinning advanced methodologies, and integrating diverse data types.

• Demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems

• Communicating your findings in the most effective way.