Question

Forum:bioinformatics online certificate or a degree at school

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10.2 years ago

y717 • 0

Hi, all!

Due to my personal reasons, I have been away from my career in CFD (computational fluid dynamics). I have never studied bioinformatics. But I would like to challenge on this field. I have a ph.D in applied mathematics.

My question is that if I would like to get a new job related to bioinformatics,

What is your sincere advice?
An online certificate is also helpful and acceptable when employees select a candidate's resume?
Getting a degree at school is better than an online certificate?

As for now, it is a best choice for me to take online classes. Your suggestion will be very appreciated.

Thank you

career • 4.3k views

ADD COMMENT • link updated 20 months ago by Ram 44k • written 10.2 years ago by y717 • 0

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I appreciate all your help. :-)

ADD REPLY • link updated 2.9 years ago by Ram 44k • written 10.2 years ago by y717 • 0

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Changed to Forum, because it is not a bioinformatics question, but a career questions. Such questions are by definition not bioinformatics questions. Hope that's fine with you.

ADD REPLY • link 10.2 years ago by Michael 55k

Ram · Answer 1 · 2014-10-04

I think that for people that already have an advanced degree in one field going back to residential setting may not be the best choice. These just take way too much time from what should be their most productive years.

Ph.D and Masters programs are meant to cover a lot more than just the actual domain knowledge they are meant to teach one how to become a scientist.

I can refer to my own experience, I got a Ph.D in Physics in 2001, in 2003 while employed I took an Online Bioinformatics Certificate from Stanford - back then that was pretty much the only option. Worked out pretty well in that I always had many career choices and I was able to pick what I felt was the best one. In addition having a different background was immensely helpful so many concepts felt really easy and I was able to borrow ideas from other fields.

Ram · Answer 2 · 2014-10-03

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10.2 years ago

Coryza ▴ 430

I personally think that a PhD in Mathematics with a combination of <specific/targeted areas> BioInformatics online certificates will give you the possibilities to start within BioInformatics (if I look at my company).

ADD COMMENT • link updated 2.9 years ago by Ram 44k • written 10.2 years ago by Coryza ▴ 430

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I'll link the company http://www.keygene.com/

ADD REPLY • link updated 2.9 years ago by Ram 44k • written 10.2 years ago by Istvan Albert 102k

score 1 · Answer 3 · 2014-10-03

Welcome to Biostars! :-)

From time to time we have threads here discussing "ways of getting into bioinformatics" - yesterday there was What should I looking for at the beginning (Master degree in Computer Science) thread.

My suggestions would be:

Start following online communities and blogs;
Find out what is popular in the field right now (e.g., ngs);
Read reviews, research articles and find what is interesting for you (+ where you can apply your math skills).

Edit

If you really want to start from courses then try Data Analysis for Genomics (https://www.edx.org/course/harvardx/harvardx-ph525x-data-analysis-genomics-1401), this should get you straight into the action.