The MSc. Programme in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology aims at qualifying students for research and application in the field of bioinformatics. To achieve this aim, students need to build a sound basis in formal techniques of computer science. In addition to the expertise acquired during computer science studies the computer scientist working in the field of bioinformatics is expected to be very familiar with the issues raised in the context of biology. Besides conveying and deepening the students' knowledge in computer science and biology, the programme therefore aims at integrating and combining these two disciplines. Thus, the main pillar of the Master's Programme is the area of bioinformatics. Compulsory courses cover a broad range of sub-areas which are an integral part of bioinformatics. A variety of elective courses allow the students to select their individual focuses.

Pre-requisites: The Master's Programme in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology has been designed as a consecutive programme building directly on the Bachelor's Programme. Applicants need to have a sound basis in computer science as well as basic knowledge in mathematics, biology, systems biology and bioinformatics.

The Master's Programme consists of modules in the following areas:

- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

- Computer Science

- Advanced Computer Science/Biology

- Biology

- Mathematics and machine learning

In the area of Bioinformatics the following modules build the basis for the specific bioinformatics studies:

- Bioinformatics II

- Introduction to Systems Biology

- Artificial Intelligence

- Computer Architecture

- Theory of Algorithms

- Image Processing

The areas of Advanced Computer Science/Biology shall deepen the students' expertise in computer science and/or biology. Students shall choose two lectures out of the advanced courses in Computer Science and/or Biology. One of the selected lectures shall be a lecture from the field of Computer Science.

Currently the following advanced courses are offered:

• RNA Bioinformatics
• Simplified protein models
• Bioinformatics and molecular biology of RNA
• Applied Systems Biology
• Theoretical Systems Biology
  

A major objective of this Master's Programme is to convey a basic knowledge in biology which will be the background and the basis for the future scientist's examination of advanced biological concepts. Students will therefore complete 12 ECTS (usually equivalent to 2 modules) out of the courses offered in the fields of Biology:

In the area of Mathematics, the programme covers the field of Statistics and Machine Learning which is of major importance in Bioinformatics. In addition, a course in Mathematics for Bioinformatics and Systems Biology has been designed specifically for this Master's program.

Furthermore the curriculum comprises:

- Lab course in Systems Biology, Bioinformatics or Computer Science. Students will have the opportunity to gain practical experience through working on big projects in one of their chosen specialist areas.

- Seminar courses. Two seminar courses in Bioinformatics are compulsory. In these seminars students will present and discuss papers on a chosen topic.

- A team project or major lab course. In the third semester, students will be involved in the current research of the Department of Computer Science and/or of the Department of Biology. They will choose one chair and one professor to be their mentor and will work alone or in a small team on a given project. Students will thereby learn to tackle actual research topics. In addition to technical knowledge they will also learn how to organize their work and to work and communicate in a team.

- The master's thesis: During the fourth and last semester, students will work on their master's thesis. Its aim is to examine a research topic in cooperation with a professor and his scientific staff.

Characteristics

- Individual study plan: Taking into account the requirements of the study regulations, students can arrange their individual study plan based on their personal objectives. (In some cases, the selection of courses and specialist areas might be restricted due to the previous background of the student.)

- Examinations: According to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) students obtain credit points for each examination that they successfully pass.

Language of instruction

This Master's Programme is bilingual. Courses are taught in English and/or German. Therefore all applicants are expected to have a good knowledge of both languages. Non-native-speakers will have to present evidence of this knowledge by taking one of the internationally recognized tests (TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate for English and DSH-2 or Test DaF-4 for German). Prospective students who want to improve their language proficiency prior to joining the programme can choose from a variety of language courses offered at the University of Freiburg (www.sli.uni-freiburg.de).