| PROGRAM STRUCTURE

General Program

The Bioinformatics track is a two-year research oriented study program consisting of a core program, specialization courses, and high-level research projects. It emphasizes on the underlying mathematical theory and algorithmic methods from computer science. Goal is to apply advanced mathematical and algorithmic techniques in the exciting and challenging field of Bioinformatics. In addition, there is a Support Program that provides students with the right background for the courses. Students will be assigned a study advisor who assists them in setting up the study program, monitors their progress and reflects on the activities of the students.

Support Program

The Support Program is specifically designed to bolster the multidisciplinary background of the student. It is meant to achieve a more uniform background knowledge of all students. As a rule students will have to extend, complement and perfect their background in disciplines which were not included in one’s bachelor phase of study.

The Support Program consists of three subjects:

  1. Molecular Cell Biology
  2. Mathematics
  3. Computer Science.

Typically, Computer Science students will need to take Subjects from 1 and 2, Life Science students Subjects from 2 and 3. Students with a rich multidisciplinary background take courses in the Free Choice part of the program or extend their research project. It is a prerequisite that students finally master any of the courses within each of the three subjects.

Free Choice part of the program

The Free Choice part of the program consists of advanced (existing) courses from Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry, which extend a specific area of study.

A list of possible courses will follow soon.

Research assignment

Doing and learning how to do research is a major goal of the Bioinformatics program. This goal will be accomplished in two phases. During the first year students will do a small research project in which they learn how to organize and execute a research project, and most importantly will experience the excitement of doing research!

In other words the Research Assignment aims at:

  • getting students into contact with relevant research problems early on in their study,
  • raising the understanding for the need of bioinformatics in biological problems,
  • getting students acquainted with performing research

Thesis project

During the second year the focus is mainly on the thesis project. One or more research groups from the participating universities and institutes will supervise this project. Next to their thesis project students in addition will take a selection of courses from the Free Choice part of the program that are related to the research.

Students conclude the program with a thesis project, which can either be an internal research project or a research project at an institute or company. One or more research groups from the participating universities and institutes will supervise this project. In case the research project is carried out outside the participating groups, there should be a supervisor from one of the participating groups. Beforehand this supervisor should approve of the research. It is also possible to do one’s thesis abroad. This should also be arranged in consultation with a supervisor from the participating groups.

There will be research projects available at the universities and institutes that organize the Bioinformatics program: Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, LUMC, and the Kluyver Center.

The thesis has to be carried out using project management: at the start students make a plan in co-operation with their thesis advisor. In the plan, several aspects of the thesis project are defined: the assignment, the frequency of interaction with the advisor(s), the milestones of the project, the resources and facilities offered by the faculty etc.

The thesis is written in English and at the end there will be an oral presentation of the work in front of the Thesis Committee. Based on the thesis, the presentation, and the project performance the Thesis Committee announces the final mark.