Postgraduate taught 

Bioinformatics MSc/PgDip/PgCert

Programming and Databases for Biologists BIOL4292

  • Academic Session: 2023-24
  • School: School of Infection and Immunity
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes

Short Description

Computer Programming is a vital foundational skill for bioinformaticians and for any biologist needing to run analyses in anything but a trivial manner. Alongside this, being able to store and retrieve data from databases is crucial for efficient utilisation of the huge amounts of biological knowledge already in existence. This course seeks to introduce the fundamental elements of modern computer programming and relational databases, with a particular emphasis on the data and applications usually found in biological contexts. Languages used to foster the development of these skills will include both Python and SQL.

Timetable

This course will take place throughout Semester 1 and is made up of lectures and practical computer sessions.

Excluded Courses

None.

Assessment

Exam - 25% (ILO1, ILO3, ILO4)

Coursework - two components comprising a set exercise made up of practical exercises (65%), and a report (10%) (ILO1, ILO2, ILO4, ILO5, ILO6)

Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

This course aims to foster an understanding of computing and programming in general, both conceptually and in terms of implementation on computer hardware. Students will develop an understanding of database systems and how to model biological data, and of how to write computer programs to manipulate these data. Students will learn these concepts during lectures and have the opportunity to put these approaches into practice during extensive computer lab practicals.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

1. Construct and discursively analyse computer programs that read, manipulate and output bioinformatic data

2. Design and implement reusable software to operate on bioinformatic data

3. Discuss and appraise the concepts underlying databases and data modelling

4. Design and implement a relational database to model bioinformatic data

5. Construct queries to store and read data from relational database management systems

6. Write programs in the programming languages Python and SQL

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.