Program Overview

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In Silico Genomic Proteomic & Metabolomic Analyses Methods

Overview

To introduce and describe the concepts and the methods of in silico based manipulation and analysis of genome, proteome and metabolome.

Summary

The purpose of this short course is to introduce and describe the concepts and the methods of in silico based manipulation and analysis of genome, proteome and metabolome. This course will also provide an understanding of the computer programming language python and its use within basic research and applied research and practice.

This course provides an overview of in silico methods, theories and applications to study genes, proteins or metabolites. It will also provide students with an understanding of Python.

About this course

About

The purpose of this course is to introduce and describe the concepts and the methods of in silico based manipulation and analysis of genome, proteome and metabolome.

This short course will also provide an understanding of the computer programming language python and its use within basic research and applied research and practice.

This course aims to -

• Describe the need for efficient computational tools, which can facilitate gene, protein and metabolite investigations.
• Integrate the theories and methods of python to interpret, critically evaluate and present data analysis results.
• Provide practical experience of digital gene and protein sequence databases and expression analysis tools, modes of sequence manipulation, applications in biomedical research and stratified medicine.
• Provide an overview of the integration of in silico methods into medicine e.g. the use of computer modelling and simulation in diagnosis, mathematical treatment and prevention of disease.

Linked programmes

MSc Personalised Medicine, PgCertPD Professional Development

Assessment

• Class Test (Written) [50%] Online multi-part class test with a selection of questions, questions will be a mixture of MCQs and short answer questions, all parts of the class test will have equal marks. The main purpose of the class test is to examine students' learning from the lectures and recommended text.
• Set Exercise (Written) [50%] Students are required to submit their answers to a series of in silico data problems which will utilise the skills and knowledge gained throughout the module. The set exercise will be comprised of problem-based questions which students have to provide short answers for.

Attendance

This course is delivered fully online for 12 weeks in Semester 2, starting 27 January 2025, with no on campus attendance requirements.

Please note, dates and timetabling may be subject to change.

Entry requirements

Students will be considered for entry to the course on an individual basis.

The basic entry requirements are outlined below:

Applicants must:

(a) have gained

• a second class honours degree or better with significant bioscience (or biostatistics) such as nursing, biomedical sciences, biology, pharmacy from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or
• an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification;

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the minimum English entrance requirements of the University and will need to provide recent evidence of this (certified within the last two years).

Most of our courses require a minimum English level of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent, with no band score under 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement.

Start dates

• 27 January 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Fees and funding

Prices

• Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlements Status Fees: £583.35
• England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees: £583.35
• International Fees: £1,424.10

Fees information

Payment of Fees and Deposits

Information about how to pay for a course including different payment options is available.

Fees and Funding

Information and advice about course fees and a guide to budgeting for your living costs, as well as sources for financial assistance including hardship funding, scholarships, prizes and awards, is available.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships : Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences – Sustainability in Focus

Learning and Teaching

Our Faculty is dedicated to integrating sustainability across our curriculum, preparing students to address global environmental challenges.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) have been incorporated throughout each course within the Faculty and each module outlines how and where they meet these SDG’s.

Subject specific guidance on sustainability has been provided in the QAA benchmarks statements for Biomedical Science and Biomedical Sciences; Biosciences; Chemistry; Optometry; Psychology; Earth Sciences; Veterinary Nursing; Agriculture; Rural –Environmental Sciences; Animal Studies; Consumer Science; Forestry, Food Horticulture –and –Human Nutrition; Health Studies; Earth Sciences and Geography.

Research and Knowledge Exchange

Our Faculty has key centres of research excellence within all Schools and our interdisciplinary approach brings together researchers from diverse fields to develop impactful solutions.

By advancing knowledge in various fields within the faculty, we aim to identify sustainable approaches to:

• Health promotion
• Achieving food security improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture
• Ensuring healthy lives and promote wellbeing
• Promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
• Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
• Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development
• Implementation and revitalisation of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

External Partnerships

Collaboration is key to driving sustainability. Our Faculty partners with external stakeholders including professional bodies and learned societies to enhance the sustainability journey for all our students and to promote sustainable practices.

External partnerships enable us to apply research and innovation to real-world challenges. We drive meaningful change in local communities, industries, and global ecosystems, fostering a more sustainable society through impactful projects and community engagement.