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CSC-30022 - Module Specification
School of Computing and Mathematics
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

CSC-30022 - Bioinformatics
Coordinator: Allison Gardner Tel: +44 1782 7 33989
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733075

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

The module introduces the key concepts and challenges in molecular biology that are commonly addressed using bioinformatics techniques. It provides a foundation of biological knowledge and review of current bioinformatic tools. The module introduces a specified programming language and its application as a bioinformatic programming language and offers students the opportunity to develop their own bioinformatics tool. In addition it introduces discussion of ethical issues, both in relation to bioinformatics but also addressing issues of machine bias. Students will also develop an overview of the range of common performance metrics utilised in development of bioinformatic tools and use them to evaluate outcomes of prediction algorithms,

Aims
To provide an understanding of key concepts in molecular biology relevant to bioinformatics, explore current available tools and databases and use programming skills to develop own bioinformatics tool.

Intended Learning Outcomes

assess key biological concepts in relation to genomic and proteomic principles, in the context of computing: 1,2
develop bioinformatics tools using the programming language taught during the module: 2
evaluate the integration of available bioinformatics tools into larger bioinformatics workflow systems: 1
explore and evaluate the range of online bioinformatics tools currently available: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours lectures;
4 hours workshops;
126 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 50%
Report on the application of biological and computer science knowledge.
Students will produce a report to compare a range of mutation prediction tools by conducting an investigation to determine the accuracy claims of each tool utilising appropriate performance metrics to evaluate outcomes from a set of given data. Report length should be approximately 2000 words.

2: Coursework weighted 50%
Develop and write a report on a simple bioinformatics tool.
Students will develop a programme, written in the programming language used in this module, to analyse bioinformatics data accessible from the Internet. The students will write a user report to accompany the programme that they developed. The code for the developed tool will also be submitted to allow for testing. Report length approximately 1500 words, not including coding.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024