Course Syllabus (update February, 2019) : click here

DESCRIPTION

This course provides a multidisciplinary forum to discuss the impact of bioinformatics applied to life sciences. Students will learn about the latest technologies of the field, current progress, and will be trained in performing his/her own genomic data analyses. No computational or mathematical background is required. It is an exploratory course with emphases on development of basic bioinformatics skills, visualization, and solution of biological problems. As such, it is designed primarily for health science students interested on the application of bioinformatics as a scientific tool.

ORGANIZATION

This course highlights the recent technological and methodological advances in life sciences and shows how bioinformatics can be applied to (1) investigate the molecular mechanisms underneath cellular processes and to (2) predict the behavior of biological systems. All activities, lectures and discussions involved in this course will be in English.

STUDY SUBJECTS

In the beginning of the course, students will form groups of 4 to 6 people, and each group will then choose three human diseases from the list below (of which, one is going to be assigned to the group). Throughout the course, the group will utilize bioinformatics tools and specialized databases to study the selected disease. The seminar and all homework assignments should focus on the selected disease.

Disease assignment (day class):

Disease assignment (night class):

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

Homework will be assigned throughout the course. A total of 3 assignments will be requested, and will be used for the final grade. Each assignment will be graded and its due date will be given to you during class (and also provided in the text below). Groups are required to send their assignment by e-mail (to csbl.usp@gmail.com) on or before the day an assignment is due. Any assignment sent later than when it is due will be graded as 0 (zero).

List of homework assignments:

SEMINAR

Groups are required to present a seminar on how bioinformatics can be used to study the selected disease. The seminar should take no longer than 10 minutes.

EXTRA EXAM

For those with a final grade between 3.0 and 4.9 and presence in class >= 70%, a supplementary exam will be provided. The student will have to write a report (max. 20 pages) showing how bioinformatics can be applied to study his/her selected topic.

ATTENDANCE

Student attendance will be recorded either by signing the presence list (for regular classes) or by sending the assignment by e-mail (for homework classes). Absences for which a medical excuse is provided (professional letterhead required) will be excused.