BIOCB 6010

Introduction to Computational Biology

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

This class is designed to inspire students in the life sciences to see the power of computational biology in advancing the research frontier. In addition to providing students with foundational concepts in modern biology, the course will introduce core principles in computer science, mathematics, and statistics, including AI and machine learning. The course will also teach many fundamental skills in manipulating large data sets, including genome sequences, functional genomic data, protein structures, etc. The course will consist of two lectures and one practical session each week. In the practicals, students will learn the use of many of the latest software tools and will develop some basic programming skills. Students will be able to explore their own interests in greater depth in a term project.

Last 4 Terms Offered 2025FA, 2024FA, 2023FA

Learning Outcomes

• Formulate succinct and focused research questions that make effective use of computation in diverse problems in genomics, population genetics, medical genetics, systems biology, structural biology, phylogenetics, and conservation biology.
• Explain key computational, mathematical, and statistical concepts that underlie modern data analysis, including machine learning/artificial intelligence.
• Write short computer programs in python and R to organize and analyze complex data collected from across the biological sciences.
• Write short computer programs python and R that simulate biological data.
• Apply evolutionary principles to explain patterns of diversity both within and across species.
• Critically assess the validity of computational research from across the life sciences.

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