BSc in Molecular Bioinformatics
Norrmalm, Sweden
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
01 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
SEK 405,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* first instalment: SEK 67,500 | EU/EEA Citizens are not required to pay tuition fees
Introduction
There is explosive development in the Life Science area. New technology for generating and analyzing large amounts of biological data has created entirely new possibilities in biology. As a bioinformatician, you combine biology with computer science and statistics. The biologist of today must have strong competence in IT systems to meet the future challenges of digitalization.
Bioinformatics has become integral in many biological fields, especially in experimental molecular biology and biomedicine. Today there is the possibility of measuring thousands of variables from a single biological sample (e.g. blood, saliva, or tissue), which has created fantastic opportunities to develop, for example, individual-based medication.
The objectives of the molecular bioinformatics program are to provide you with a broad knowledge of bioinformatics with applications in molecular biology, genetic engineering, and biomedicine. Studies in these core subjects can also be combined with courses in innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Focus of Your Studies
The first year of the curriculum contains introductory courses in bioinformatics, chemistry, cell biology, and genetics. The focus of the first year is on applied bioinformatics and basic knowledge in biosciences. The second year focuses on knowledge and skills in handling and analyzing biological data. You will also gain additional knowledge in genetics, programming, and statistics. In the third year, you have the opportunity to specialize in software development in bioinformatics, but you can additionally also study project management and entrepreneurship. The study program ends with a dissertation project comprising 30 ECTS credits.
During your studies, lectures will be mixed with biological experiments and computer laboratory work. You will learn how to use various computerized tools for compiling and analyzing data from research projects and biological experiments, for example, sequence analysis and gene expression analysis. The language of tuition is English.
Research
Our research in bioinformatics focuses on the development and usage of methods and algorithms for the analysis of biological datasets. We have close collaborations with researchers at our industry partners and we also collaborate with other research groups, both within and outside the university.
Admissions
Curriculum
The study programme is provided by the University of Skövde and is named Molecular Bioinformatics (Molekylär bioinformatik). It comprises 180 credits and is a first-cycle programme. The main field of study is Bioinformatics.
The studies in the programme are within the main field of study bioinformatics. Students learn the basics of information technology (operating systems, shells and command prompts, programming methodology, combinatorics and graph theory) and the basics of molecular biology (cells, molecular genetics, biochemical processes, microbiology, molecular biomarkers). To this are added broader studies (molecular diagnostics, sustainable development, entrepreneurship) and specialization in the core subject (bioinformatics algorithms, software development for bioinformatics, methods for analysis of data from massively parallel sequencing).
The program is concluded with a thesis project of 30 credits, during which the acquired knowledge through the study program is used to independently formulate and solve a research- and/or development-related problem within Bioinformatics.
The following courses are included in the programme:
- Bioinformatic Analysis with Python 1 G1N, 7.5 credits
- Cell Biology G1N, 7.5 credits
- Discrete Mathematics G1N, 7.5 credits
- Genetics G1N, 7.5 credits
- Basic Chemistry G1N, 15 credits
- Sustainable Development G1N, 7.5 credits
- Introduction to Bioinformatics G1N, 7.5 credits
- Introduction to Computational Tools for Bioinformatics G1N, 6.5 credits
- Laboratory Basic Course G1N, 1 credit
- Microbial Bioinformatics G1N, 7,5 credits
- Bioinformatic Analysis with Python 2 G1F, 7.5 credits
- Method and Design in Life Science G1F, 7.5 credits
- Expression Analysis with R G1F, 7.5 credits
- Molecular Genetics G1F, 7.5 credits
- Analysis of Data from Massively Parallel Sequencing G2F, 7.5 credits
- Literature Review in Bioscience G2F, 7.5 credits
- Bioinformatics Software Development G2F, 7.5 credits
- Molecular Diagnostics and Biomarkers G2F, 7.5 credits
- Programming Project in Bioinformatics G2F, 7.5 credits
- Bachelor Project in Bioinformatics G2E, 30 credits
Eligible courses
- Entrepreneurial Start-Up G1N, 7.5 credits
- Project Management - Basic Concepts and Methods G1N, 7.5 credits
Program Outcome
Objectives for Bachelor's degree according to the Higher Education Ordinance
- Knowledge and understanding
- Skills and abilities
- Critical judgment and approach
- Local objectives for the study programme at the University of Skövde
Career Opportunities
Upon Completion of Your Studies
There is currently a lack of graduated bioinformaticians, and you have a broad range of opportunities in the job market. There is a growing need for bioinformaticians who can analyze large-scale biological data and develop new tools and methods for such analyses.
Bioinformaticians will in the future form an essential part of the staff in clinical laboratories.
Further studies
After completing studies at the undergraduate level, you may also continue studying at our one- or two-year master's programmes at the advanced/graduate level. These study programs focus on applied areas such as bioinformatics, infection biology, biotechnology or biomarkers. You are also eligible for further studies at other universities.
Program delivery
When? Where? How?
- Study period: 1 September 2025 - 4 June 2028
- Location: Skövde, Campus
- Pace of study: 100%