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Advanced Research Topics in Bioinformatics - BIO00067M

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  • Department: Biology
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

Genome data analysis is one of the fundamental tools of biological science. It is used in biomedicine, ecology, industrial microbiology, cell biology and evolutionary genetics. This module teaches the current state of the art in genomic science and genome data analysis through a series of lectures and workshops that focus on building both theoretical and practical knowledge. It will provide students opportunities to develop skills in critical evaluation and the effective communication of complex scientific concepts, as well as in practical genome data analysis.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

The overarching aim is for students to critically assess a contemporary bioinformatics research question. Students will develop an extended piece of writing, addressing a research question by attending: i) research-led lectures on complementary topics within their discipline ii) data analysis workshops and iii) supporting workshops that focus on writing skills and interpreting and critiquing the scientific literature, through small group activities.

Module learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this module will be able to:

Comprehend and critique different current genomic technologies

Demonstrate how novel biological insight can be derived from newly generated sequencing data

Communicate, and critically evaluate scientific literature in genomics

Synthesise arguments that draw on several (potentially contradicting) sources.

Interpret and apply feedback to written work.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Marks for all summative assessments will be made available to you and your supervisor via e:vision. Feedback will be either individual or cohort-level, depending on the assessment format. You should take the opportunity to discuss your marks and feedback with your supervisor.

For coursework summative assessments (eg. reports, essays, presentations) you will receive individual feedback on your work. This will usually be in the form of a feedback sheet that will include suggestions for further improvement.

During the teaching of the module you will receive formative feedback that may be at a whole class or individual level. Such feedback may include: model answers, individual spoken comments during workshops, peer feedback and individual written comments on formative work.

Indicative reading

These are available through the VLE module site.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.