NWI-BM066A
Computation for Biologists
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleNWI-BM066A
Credits (ECTS)6
CategoryMA (Master)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Science; BioWetenschappen;
Lecturer(s)
Lecturer
dr. A.B. Brinkman
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. S.J. van Heeringen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
dr. S.J. van Heeringen
Other course modules lecturer
Coordinator
dr. S.J. van Heeringen
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. S.J. van Heeringen
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2018
Period
KW1  (03/09/2018 to 04/11/2018)
Starting block
KW1
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesYes
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listYes
Placement procedure-
Aims
At the end of this course you can:
  • implement an integrative computational analysis to test a biological hypothesis using high-throughput (epi)genomic and proteomic data;
  • write a simple Python program to read and process big, text-based data files;
  • design and implement simple algorithms to gain biological insights from data;
  • use Python in combination with command line tools to perform critical exploratory analysis of high-dimensional data;
  • visualize complex biological data and analysis results at the genomic and network level to understand biological systems.
Content
Technological advances in the fields of genomics and proteomics have accelerated the ease and speed of data collection. High-throughput instruments, such as DNA sequencers and mass spectrometers, generate large amounts of biological measurements. This has brought the goal of understanding gene regulation within a living cell at the systems levels much closer. However, to integrate and analyze these various big data sets, a quantitative approach to biology is needed.

In this course you will learn to apply the Python programming language in combination with the Pandas data analysis framework to analyze (epi)genomic and proteomic data. The course will deal with a complete view of data analysis, from reading and processing raw data files to interpretation and visualization within the biological context.
Topics
• computational analysis of epigenomic and proteomic data
• programming in Python
• the Python data analysis library: Pandas
• descriptive statistics
• data visualization

Test information
The final mark for the course will be based on a practical assignment. This mark for this assignment consists of two parts: a practical coding exercise (70%) and a written report (30%).

Prerequisites
• Knowledge of the principles of genome architecture and gene regulation (NWI-BB064B or Lodish 7th edition chpt 5-7 or equivalent)
• Basic statistics (NWI-MOL028 or equivalent)
• Practical knowledge of Linux and the Bash shell and the ability to use the command-line to manipulate common genomics data files (NWI-BB086 or the on-line edX course “Introduction to Linux” or equivalent).

Required materials
Handouts
Lecture slides and hand outs will be provided during the course and via Blackboard.

Instructional modes
computer practical
Attendance MandatoryYes

Course
Attendance MandatoryYes

Lecture
Attendance MandatoryYes

self study
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Assignment
Test weight1
Test typeLab course
OpportunitiesBlock KW1, Block KW2