BMB - Bioinformatics

Environment

The Cumming School of Medicine and the University of Calgary are home to a blossoming multidisciplinary group of researchers with a variety of expertise in the development and application of advanced bioinformatics approaches to diverse research problems. The Cumming School of Medicine is home to the largest next-generation DNA sequencing facility in Alberta, substantial high-performance computing resources (including a ComputeCanada and WestGrid affiliated Research Computing facility on main campus), and advanced structural mass spectrometry facilities. The Cumming School of Medicine also encompasses the Clinical Research Unit, which focuses on large-scale clinical informatics. The University community encompasses several groups with related interests and expertise, including the Centre for Molecular Simulation (computational chemistry). The Cumming School of Medicine is also home to an undergraduate program in Bioinformatics through the Bachelor's of Health Sciences program.

Suggested Optional Courses

Courses in the Medical Sciences:

Medical Science 519*: Advanced Bioinformatics [Data analysis for Chip-Seq]

Medical Science 545*: Genomics

Medical Science 509: Proteomics

Medical Science 605: Information Storage and Processing in Biological Systems

Courses in the Biological Sciences:

Biology 609: Advanced Statistical Applications in Biology

Biology 651: Topics in Systems Biology

Biology 653: Topics in Functional Genomics

Courses in other departments and faculties including Computer Science, Mathematics, and Biomedical Engineering:

Computer Science 531*: Systems Modelling and Simulation

Computer Science 607: Biological Computation

Computer Science 661: Algorithms for Distributed Computation

Statistics 507*: Introduction to Stochastic Processes

Statistics 519*/619: Bayesian Statistics

Statistics 531*: Monte Carlo Methods and Statistical Computing

Biomedical Engineering 515*: Bioengineering Methods in Systems Biology and Physiology (Gene networks)

*Note that enrollment in 500-level courses is subject to supervisory committee approval.

Transfer credit for courses completed in a non-related MSc program or at another institution is evaluated and awarded at the discretion of the supervisory committee and subject to approval by the program director.

Extramural course policy: When relevant to a student’s thesis or dissertation research, and in consultation with their supervisory committee, early stage BMB students may elect to apply to practical training workshops, summer school programs, or extramural courses at institutions such as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, European Molecular Biology Organization, Human Proteome Organization, Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops, or to those offered by institutions or organizations with a similar international profile. While BMB does not have funds to subsidize enrolment in such courses, students are encouraged to discuss options and funding with their supervisors. On a case by case basis, the program will adjudicate requests for waiving 1 unit of course requirements towards a degree upon the successful completion of such a course. Usually only one waiver per degree program will be considered.  In order to receive a waiver, program approval must be obtained prior to course attendance. Requests for consideration can be submitted to the program office (bmbgrad@ucalgary.ca) along with information demonstrating the relevance of the course to the student’s research, support of the supervisory committee in enrolment, and supporting information on the significance and reputation of the course.