Bioinformatics & Computational Biology
Undergraduate Courses
BCB 100X. EXPLORING BIOINFORMATICS AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
Life scientists are generating huge amounts of data on many different scales, from DNA and protein sequence, to information on biological systems such as protein interaction networks, brain circuitry, and ecosystems. Analyzing these kinds of data requires quantitative knowledge and approaches using computer science and mathematics. In this project-based course, students will use case studies to learn about both important biological problems and the computational tools and algorithms used to study them. Students will study a sampling of topics in the field, including such areas as complex disease genetics, analysis of a flu epidemic, investigating antibiotic resistance, and understanding the behavior of swarms, such as schooling fish. Computational tools explored will include both freely-available web-based tools as well as guided programming using Python.
Recommended background: High school biology. Programming experience is not required.
Graduate Courses
BCB 555. Journal Club in Quantitative Cell Biology
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This course is offered every other semester, discussing topics on quantitative cell biology that advance our understanding of the function of cellular systems. The focus is on reading, presenting, and discussing the most recent literature in the field. Graduate students and advanced undergraduate students with an interest in quantitative biology are encouraged to participate.
BCB 590. Special Topics in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
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An offering of this course will cover a topic of current interest in detail. See the Supplement section of the online catalog at www.wpi. edu/+gradcat for descriptions of courses to be offered in this academic year. Prerequisites will vary with topic.
BCB 5900. Graduate Internship
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A graduate internship is carried out in cooperation with a sponsor or industrial partner. It must be overseen by a faculty member affiliated with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program. The internship will involve development and practice of technical and professional skills and knowledge relevant to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. At the completion of the internship, the student will produce a written report, and will present their work to BCB faculty and internship sponsors.
BCB 596. Independent Study
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This course will allow a student to study a chosen topic in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology under the guidance of a faculty member affiliated with the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology program. The student must produce a written report at the conclusion of the independent study.
BCB 599. M.S. Thesis Research
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A Masters thesis in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology consists of a research and development project worth a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours advised by a faculty member affiliated with the BCB Program. A thesis proposal must be approved by the BCB Program Review Board and the students advisor before the student can register for more than three thesis credits. The student must satisfactorily complete a written thesis document, and present the results to the BCB faculty in a public presentation.
BCB 699. Ph.D. Dissertation Research
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A Ph.D. thesis in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology consists of a research and development project worth a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours advised by a faculty member affiliated with the BCB Program. Students must pass a qualifying exam before the student can register for Ph.D. thesis credits. The student must satisfactorily complete a written dissertation, and defend it in a public presentation and a private defense.