Opleidingsvoorstel: Master of Science in Bioinformatics

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Opleidingsvoorstel: Master of Science in Bioinformatics

1. Het onderwijskundig referentiekader

a. Identificatie elementen van de opleiding

Te preciseren elementen Opmerkingen

1a1 Naam van de opleiding Master of Science in Bioinformatics 1a2 Naam van de

afstudeerrichtingen Master of Science in Bioinformatics: wetenschappen

Master of Science in Bioinformatics: bio-ingenieurswetenschappen Master of Science in Bioinformatics: ingenieurswetenschappen 1a3 Diploma / getuigschrift

waartoe de opleiding leidt. Master of Science in Bioinformatics 1a4 Titel van de houder van het

diploma Master in Bio-informatics

1a5 Aantal studiepunten 120

1a6 Locatie  Leuven

 Kortrijk

1a7 Verantwoordelijke POC interfacultaire POC bio-informatica Slechts één POC is

verantwoordelijk

1a8 Opleidingssoort  Bachelor

 initiële master

 master-na-master

 master in advanced studies

 studieduurverkorting

 schakelprogramma

 voorbereidingsprogramma 1a9 Voltijds – deeltijds  voltijds en deeltijds

b. Doelen en eindtermen

1b1 Algemene doelen van de

opleiding The aim of this program is to deliver specialists in bio-informatics who can link biological knowledge to information technology and analytical techniques in applied mathematics and statistics.

Bioinformaticians are experts in the design, analysis and interpretation of complex high throughput

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biomolecular data.

1b2 Eindtermen - extensive knowledge of biology, biotechnology, applied mathematics, IT and statistics - understanding the genetic structure and the functioning of living systems

- the ability to handle and to explore large biological data (data mining)

- both practical and theoretical knowledge of the algorithms used to process large amounts of data - being familiar with some commonly used programming languages (e.g. JAVA, PERL,…) - the ability to communicate effectively with both informaticians/statisticians/mathematicians and molecular biologists and to coordinate between partners with different fields of expertise in order to design, analyze and interpret complex experiments

- the ability to integrate new developments in any “–omics” field (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) with already acquired competencies

1b3 Vertaling doelen/eindtermen in de opleiding en in de groepen

To guarantee a basic knowledge of biology, biotechnology, applied mathematics, IT and statistics for all graduates of the program, the first semester is dedicated as a reorientation module

(“Heroriënteringspakket)”. After this module, all students will have acquired the same level of relevant basic knowledge (which can then be expanded din the follow up modules of the program). Viewing the rather diverse background of incoming students defining one (or a number of) reorientation module(s) is not possible. The steering committee of the program will, therefore, advise for each student a personalized composition of this module, based on their individual background and the further requirements of the curriculum.

The reorientation module is structured into a biology -, a statistics -, a mathematical - and an IT submodule. The individual content of a students’ reorientation module can be any combination of courses from different submodules, depending on her/his background.

Students with the required level of basic knowledge in at least some of the specified field(s) can complement their reorientation module with courses chosen from a restricted list.

The remainder of the program consists of a General module (Algemeen pakket), structured into a biology -, a statistics - and a bioinformatics module, which builds upon the elementary knowledge students have gained in previous courses and in the reorientation module. All courses in the general module use the multidisciplinary approach characteristic for bioinformatics. This approach is

introduced at the very beginning of the program through a Teamwork where students learn to know the different disciplines bioinformatics is based on.

The “Keuze” aims at broadening the curriculum with either “Religion” or (if the student has already taken up this or an equivalent course) one other course of free choice (approval of the steering committee needed).

The masters’ thesis aims at integrating all knowledge into a concrete scientific research project.

1b4 Arbeidscontexten en/of

beroepen The vocational field for bio-informaticians can be found in the sector of life sciences in the broadest sense and active at different organisational levels (private companies, academic level or government related services). As a relatively new discipline, emerged from new technological approaches in life sciences, bioinformatics plays a key role in bridging biology and informatics/statistics/mathematics.

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By combining generalism and specialism bioinformaticians are involved in experimental design, development of new algorithms and specific adaptation of existing statistical methods. Continuous studying is the key message for a career in bioinformatics.

1b5 Doorstroommogelijkheden Doctoraatsopleidingen in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen, ingenieurswetenschappen, wetenschappen, voortgezette opleidingen in binnen en buitenland gerelateerd aan computationele biologie waarvan een niet exhaustieve lijst zal opgemaakt worden na finale goedkeuring.

1b6 De specificiteit van de

opleiding The distinguishing mark for this program is the combination of biological systems with information technology: students will develop on the one hand a thorough understanding of the genetic structure and functioning of cells and organisms and on the other hand will be capable of handling (analysis and

interpretation) large amounts of molecular biological data. The need for specific informatics skills as well as substantial knowledge of applied mathematics, statistics and biology is obvious. A bioinformatician can communicate in the specific languages of both molecular biologists and

informaticians/statisticians/mathematicians.

The main difference between the Master in bioinformatics program and existing Master programs in IT and molecular biology lies in its interdisciplinarity. Emphasis is put combining distinct expertises by stimulating teamwork, interaction and creativity. As incoming students have very different backgrounds, assisted independent learning is an important aspect of the curriculum. It offers students the opportunity to design their own learning path, starting from their specific background.

c. Onderwijsvisie

1c1 Onderwijskundige basisprincipes van de opleiding

* This program is built on interdisciplinarity:

1) Gaining expert knowledge in different disciplines required for computational biology

From this perspective team teaching is most appropriate: Team teaching allows students to grasp the relation between all integrated disciplines, while still making it possible to teach every subject by teaching staff with the required expertise.

2) Hands on practice with interdisciplinarity

It is important for students to realise for themselves bioinformatics is built on integration of many disciplines and that they learn how to put the diverse aspects of bio-informatics into the overall picture.

Therefore, students should be able to learn how to independently process course materials, making integrated exercises and use integrative approaches to solve research problems.

1c2 Concrete manier van

onderwijsgeven The majority of the subjects will be taught in team. This means all teaching staff members will be able to teach within their own field of expertise This also facilitates keeping the course content in line with the state of the art in research.

The first semester of the program focuses on teaching the basic knowledge through lectures.

The second and third semester consist of lectures, exercises, seminars and case studies. Close follow up of the students will be guaranteed.

Part of the third and most of the fourth semester are reserved for the master’s thesis, during which students will be supervised and guided by a mentor and a tutor. In this context, teamwork is also possible.

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1c3 Relatie concrete manier van onderwijsgeven en doelen / eindtermen

Ex cathedra courses mainly taught in the first semester, will introduce the elementary knowledge.

Team teaching and teaching by case studies help clarifying the need for interdisciplinarity in bioinformatics.

By seminars and exercises students learn searching and integrating information.

In the master thesis the three levels of knowledge mentioned above (applying basic knowledge, gaining comprehensive insight into new information and integration of expertises from diverse disciplines) will be combined in a single research project.

1c4 Onderzoeksgebaseerd

onderwijs By means of team teaching the educational activities will be leveraged by state of the art research.

d. Beschrijving van doelpubliek en begintermen

1d1 Doelpubliek The education aims at students with a bachelor education (180 study points) in the bioscience engineering, engineering, biomedical sciences, biology, informatics, computer sciences and mathematics. Besides these, students with an equivalent to an academic bachelor or masters’ title in biology, informatics, mathematics or related discipline (pharmacy, medical sciences) are allowed viewing they can manage to obtain the required prerequisites of later courses within the

“herorienteringspakket” (maximum of 27 stp.).

Foreign students apply via the Office of International Relations and applications will be assessed by the steering committee.

1d2 Begintermen en indicatoren Candidates have a scientific basic education with an emphasis on at least one of the following disciplines 1) biology, 2) computer science, informatics 3) mathematics, statistics

1d3 Toelatingsbeleid:

(ba: toelatingsexamen)  Ja X Neen

e. Opbouw van de opleiding, de verschillende groepen en verdeling van de studiepunten

a. Structuur van de opleiding.

1e1 Algemene opbouw van het

opleidingsprogramma zie opbouwschema Figuur

b. Modeltraject van student, per optie of specialisatie, doorheen de duur van de opleiding, gebaseerd op de onderverdeling in groepen. Per afstudeerrichting moet een afzonderlijk modeltraject worden opgegeven.

1. modeltraject: voltijdse student

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Te preciseren elementen Opmerkingen 1e2 Modeltraject van de student,

per afstudeerrichting Figuur of tabel

2. modeltraject deeltijdse student

1e3 Modeltraject van de student,

per afstudeerrichting Figuur of tabel