Today’s life sciences scientist needs to be able to deal with large amounts of biological data that come from high-throughput experimental techniques. Therefore a solid understanding of biological processes combined with bioinformatic and statistical knowledge on how to handle and analyze such large datasets is an essential skill. The Bioinformatics profile provides them with a much needed essential set of bioinformatics skills for future life science research. The Bioinformatics profile consist of multiple bioinformatics courses that introduce life science students into techniques and algorithms that are used in bioinformatics. Those topics include an overview of the bioinformatics field, and introduction into programming/scripting and analysis of large datasets using the [R] statistical programming language. Also, students will learn hands-on more advanced bioinformatics techniques embedded in research groups by doing an internship

When does the profile start?

You can sign up at any time however the core courses are given twice a year, in period 1 and period 3.
Period 1 – 2022 is more or less full as the registration for period 1 courses has closed.
Period 3 – 2023 is open. You need to enrol before the course registrations of period 3 start to be able to participate in the courses.

Four easy steps to enrol

1. Enroll

Great, and welcome to the Bioinformatics Profile!

Who can enroll. Basically everyone can enroll as there is no need to already have expericence in Bioinformatics and programming, isn’t that great? However, if you hate computers, this isn’t for you. Do you already have some experience in Bioinformatics, programming in Python, R or everthing? Thats great as this profile is also very much suitable for students with a bit more experience (more on this later).

3. Contact the profile coordinator

Did you make a choice for the 33 of 45EC variant? Now it’s time to talk to the coordinator. b.vanbreukelen – at – uu.nl and make an appointment. Together we will have a look at your plans. You can ask me all the questions you want, for example about which courses are most suitable for you or about the internship / Project.

Now it is also time to tell the coordinator about your previous experience in bioinformatics.

• You have no previous experience? No worries, your programme will be simple as you will need to follow our 3 course courses first, Introduction to Bioinformatics, Introduction to Python and Introduction to R. With these three courses we will give you the nessecary tools and preparation for your internship (or project). Together this is 10.5 EC, which means there is some room left for an more in depth course. Have a look at our list of courses. And don’t worry, you are allowed to go a little over the 12 EC’s (or 15EC).
• You have (some) experience in bioinformatics or programming in R or Python? That is great, because this allows for more flexibility. If you can show the coordinator what experience you have, e.g. by telling which courses you have followed (osiris codes or descriptions of a course), you can be exempt for some, or a combination of, the core courses. The released EC’s of those courses will now be used by a selection of (more advanced) bioinformatics courses from our course list.

I hope to see you soon.  (But please read this website first, top to bottom as it might already answer many of your questions).

2. Choose which variant

4. Fill out GSLS Profile Application form

This is (almost) the final step. You are nearly enrolled. To formalize everything you need to get approval from you master’s program coordinator. Therefore you need to fill out the GSLS application form, which you can find HERE. On this form you select the Bioinformatics Profile and choose for the 33 or 45 EC variant. Also write down which courses you are going to follow and describe your motivation on why you’d like to participate in this wonderfully interesting profile. 

Done? Print it and have it signed by your master’s program coordinator and by the profile coordinator. You are welcome to print, sign, scan and mail it to me, so that I can digitally sign it and send it back to you. (Saves you a walk over the Uithof).

Only after the GSLS general application form is signed you are enrolled in the profile. 

More information

Information on Internship (33 EC) versus Project 18 (EC)

An essential step into learning bioinformatics is actually to use (apply) it in a research setting. Therefore doing an internship (or project) is one of the most critical parts of the Bioinformatics Profile.

In case you are doing the 45 EC extended profile you have opted for a 33 EC minor research internship. This internship can be done anywhere in the world and can be in a company, institute or university. There are a few rules; however, at this company, there needs to be a bioinformatician that is your, daily, supervisor. Also, you need to have at least finished with a positive grade the core courses or equivalent which are an introduction to bioinformatics, introduction to R and introduction to Python. Furthermore, you will have to provide the profile coordinator with the project description of this internship so that he can estimate the level and amount of bioinformatics. Please note: You are allowed to combine wet lab work with bioinformatics, as long as the amount of bioinformatics is the significant part of the internship. When you have finished your internship, you will send your report to the bioinformatics profile coordinator for the final check of the bioinformatics in this project. (P.S. in case you cannot find a UU examiner for this internship you may contact the Bioinformatics Profile coordinator he/she can be an examiner as well.

In case of the 33 EC profile, you have opted for the 18 EC minor project. This project is not an actual internship, however, we have almost the same rules as for the minor-internship (see above).

Finally: You have to submit all requests and final reports to profile coordinator.

Information about the Bioinformatics Courses**

Sometimes in Osiris in the course description you will find a link to an alternative registration method, again these don’t work anymore. Osiris is the one and only registration method.

You are always put on the waiting list, but we keep a list of profile students (also Osiris should do this) which means that profile students will always be placed first in the course(s). (But only if you registered on time).

Important: We try our best to make sure that our Bioinformatics Profile and Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity students have priority in our courses. We can however ever guarantee this as sometimes there are just more students than seats. Make sure to always have a plan B.

** (as of lecture year 2019-2020 all registrations will go through Osiris).

As a profile student you have priority in the courses. However, you still need to register for each course in time!

Help, I can’t find the courses on Osiris.

This happens when Osiris automatically sets the faculty as a filter in the search. Make sure that all fields are set to: “Geen voorkeur”