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Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Introducing a new, interdepartmental, undergraduate Specialist Program
at the University of Toronto,
sponsored by the Departments of |
| Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | |
| If one were to choose the single most important scientific advance of the last century, it would likely be symbolized in the image of the double helix of DNA and its dual meaning: life propagates as pure information, which is encoded in physical molecules. As we progress to understand life in its molecular detail, we find that molecular biology is an information science as much as it is a physical science. | |
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Molecule and Information: DNA is a chemical substance that directs the synthesis of polypeptides; these spontaneously self-organize to the molecular machines that make life possible. The sequence of DNA defines the synthesis, just as letters in this text carry its meaning. |
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Genome sequencing and proteome analysis has given us breathtaking insights into the inner workings
of cellular function at the molecular level. However, a deep understanding of the complex
organisation of the cell, and the interaction of its components has yet to be achieved. We are
currently still very much at the descriptive level and substantial progress will be needed to fulfill
the promises of "post-genomic" biology, for biotechnology and molecular medicine.
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A schematic of cellular components involved in replication and their interactions. This type of model may be an approach towards computational prediction of biological processes. |
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Bioinformatics devises methods to make biological information computable - to
abstract properties of molecules, cellular systems and biological organisms, to efficiently store and retrieve
the very large volumes of data that are being accumulated, to support sensitive comparisons and to mine the data
with sophisticated statistical tools. Computational biology is bioinformatics' goal:
to advance our understanding of life through computational analysis, modelling, and prediction. Organization of
data, analysis of novel correlations, and integration into computational models will lead us to a true understanding
of life in its molecular detail.
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| Biological Data Analysis in Your Career |
| Biotechnology industry professionals see three major needs: biological analysts who are involved in experimental work and trained in bioinformatics applications, software engineers with enough domain knowledge to be able to support method- and database integration, and the true generalist with enough skills in both areas to develop new methods and strategies. It is the rare, latter individual who is also most highly sought in the academic sector and the Program's goal is to train students accordingly. Graduates of the program would typically pursue graduate studies in any of the participating departments: Computer Science (from the biocomputing stream), Biochemistry, Cell & Systems Biology or Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (from the bioanalyst stream). Their professional carreers may span a wide range of opportunities, including academic research, clinical medicine, drug development, agrotechnology or even patent law. |
| What the Program Offers |
| The Bioinformatics and Computational Biology specialist program provides a balance between its foundational subjects and covers advanced topics in both the theoretical and the life-sciences. The program draws on the University's state-of-the-art facilities across several departments, and the unique concentration of scientists in the field; it is firmly embedded in a diverse landscape of graduate and postgraduate research. We teach a challenging curriculum and aim to offer numerous options to put theory into practice. The Program will become part of a coherent course of studies, from the undergraduate level, via the Graduate Program in Proteomics and Bioinformatics, to numerous advanced research opportunities. |
| Who We Are Looking For |
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BCB is a challenging academic program, designed with the best students in mind. If you would like to become part of one of science's greatest adventures, if you are aiming to study in an outstanding academic environment, if you are exceptionally motivated and committed to excellence, we would like to hear from you.
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| Curriculum |
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Please refer to the Faculty of Arts and Science course calendar for details.
Specialist program: (16.5 full courses or their equivalent)
First Year:
Second Year:
Third Year: Fourth Year:
Bio Analyst Stream (preparation for life-science graduate programs):
Bio Computing Stream (preparation for computer-science graduate programs)
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| Application and Admission(*) |
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Application to UofT First year applicants to the University should follow the application procedures outlined on the Faculty of Arts and Science Web site. Students wo are interested in BCB should apply to the Sciences program division on St. George Campus. Current Ontario students must present
First Year Courses
Enrolment into the Program
Transfer Options
(*) Please note that while the information in this section is as accurate as we can reasonably maintain it, it is a digest of the applicable Faculty regulations and policies and is posted for approximate guidance only. Please refer to the Faculty's official documents. When in doubt, ask your Registrar! |
| Contact, and Further Information |
| Please e-mail Prof. Boris Steipe,if you consider applying to this undergraduate specialist program; we will be glad to update you with further information as it becomes available. |
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Last Update: October 24. 2008 |