Most Relevant Course For Bioinformatics

Question

[majid.fatima]

I’m a student of Bachelor in computer science. This year is my last year and I should choose some courses. I like to study in the field of bioinformatics for Master. But I’m not sure which course is more useful and which is completely Irrelevant to bioinformatics.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Neural Networks
• Data compression
• Software Engineering Project Management
• Operations research and combinatorial optimization
• Interaction Design (it’s about User Interface)

If it’s necessary I’ll explain the course in more detail

Note: In addition of computer science Biology is necessary for bioinformatics, but currently I want to choose most relevant courses of C.S.

[Michael]

Did you already take a course in statistics?

[majid.fatima]

No; is it important? I see in my research most emphasize on biology.

[Samuel Lampa]

Statistics is everywhere in Science. Working as some kind of bioinformatician / developer today, I regret that I didn't take more Stats courses. The software parts are easier to learn as you go, than the stats part.

[Michael]

Yes, I think it is absolutely essential. You should know the basics of applied statistics, probability, test-theory (p-values), some basic distributions (normal, Poisson, Binomial, ... ), and maybe regression. Most analysis of experimental data has to deal with some kind of uncertainty and measurement error. This is especially essential when you analyse biological experiements.

[Samuel Lampa]

Bioinformatics is a vastly wide area, and it is hard to tell exactly what you should study unless knowing what subfield you are interested in or will work in. If not being sure about subfield, I would personally, out of those courses, pick "Software Engineering Project Management" and "Operations research and combinatorial optimization", since they are really generally applicable, and will probably be helpful whatever subfield you will work in. AI and NN, and compression are surely great stuff, but much much more niched, and should be selected only if you are interested in algorithm development where these techniques are relevant.

[majid.fatima]

Thanks Samuel. I read the paper that medhat had sent about the importance of “Natural language processing”. What do think about “NLP”?

[Devon Ryan]

Have you already taken a number of biology courses? I see a lot of people who seem to forget the "bio" part of bioinformatics!

[majid.fatima]

I know biology is very essential for this course and I will take it.

Answer 1

[Medhat]

can you please read this paper it will help you to design a blueprint for your future career may be An Online Bioinformatics Curriculum from which you will decide what you want to be and what you should learn or take courses.

[majid.fatima]

thank you, it was useful. I conclude from the paper that “Operations research and combinatorial optimization”, AI, NLP is profitable in bioinformatics. What’s your idea?

[Medhat]

My own idea I vote for AI as it will not only support you in bioinformatics but also in other position in CS as will as it is very exciting but after all it said and done study what you love as you will excel in it. :) best

Answer 2

[always_learning]

Hi Majid.

I don't have any idea about where you are from !! But as per my own reading with respect to several course running across the Indian Universities for Bioinformatics, most of the time ( with some exception) they have some interesting name (w.r.t Course) but don't have a good faculty or god course curriculum. So I squarely think more about quality of course rather than course name it self.

Thanks Syed

[majid.fatima]

Thank you. Of course quality is more important than course name