Course overview
Research Methods in Bioinformatics provides the basis for students wishing to undertake research in the field. Bioinformatics exists at the nexus between biological research, statistics and software engineering. Research Methods in Bioinformatics introduces students to the practical aspects of conducting research in the field bioinformatics, dealing with large datasets, ensuring that research is both auditable and reproducible and communication approaches and results with stakeholders.
Course learning outcomes
- Analyse a biological question in order to develop a small programme of research.
- Explain the ethical implications of conducting a given bioinformatics research programme.
- Use contemporary version control systems to maintain a software or text repository.
- Explain the importance of reproducible research and its ethical basis.
- Devise approaches to ensure reproducibility of a research programme.
- Explain the limitations of a variety of sequencing technologies.
- Use a variety of database systems for simple datamining.
- Employ effective communication techniques within a teamwork environment.
- Identify areas of confusion that may arise when bioinformaticians communicate with biologists and develop approaches to deal with this.