About Bioinformatics, BSc - at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Bioinformatics combines computer science with molecular biology to gain fundamental insights into life processes. The need for bioinformatics has been triggered by the huge scientific advances in collecting biological data. As the key to extracting biologically meaningful information, bioinformatics is essential for an in-depth understanding of human diseases as well as for the identification of new molecular targets and therapeutic molecules for drug discovery.

The BSc Bioinformatics programme will give you a thorough understanding of bioinformatics and will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to genetics, cell biology, applied mathematics, biostatistics and key aspects of computer science. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world life science problems from an informatic and computational perspective.

The programme is divided into two stages to give you choice. All students take the same modules in Years One and Two. At the end of Year Two, you have three options:

• Continue to study bioinformatics at XJTLU (with computational content emphasised)
• Continue to study more traditional molecular bioscience modules at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom (with lab-based courses and biological content emphasised)
• Continue to study more traditional molecular bioscience modules at XJTLU (with lab-based courses and biological content emphasised).

This unique design enables you to focus on the most suitable field of study based on to your strengths and interests.

Why should I study bioinformatics at XJTLU?

• Attractively located with many biotechnology companies nearby in BioBay, a national biotechnology hub with over 400 companies which is ideal for internships
• Highly international, research-active environment with academic staff trained in globally respected universities and institutes across the world
• Nearby Cold Spring Harbor Asia hosts prestigious scientific symposia, conferences and summer schools providing our students with the opportunity to interact with world-famous researchers
• Earn two degrees: an XJTLU degree from the Chinese Ministry of Education and a globally recognised degree from the University of Liverpool, a member of the Russell Group of leading UK universities.

Knowledge and skills

By the time you graduate from the BSc Bioinformatics programme you will:

• understand key cell and life processes as well as major issues and challenges in the biomedical sciences
• have the skills and understanding to implement cutting-edge computational techniques with modern computing devices
• be able to apply various experimental and computational approaches to tackle real-world biomedical problems.

Graduates may continue with their studies in programmes related to bioinformatics, clinical informatics, computational biology, biostatistics, molecular sciences and drug design.

Modules

• Year One

  UK degrees are three years long whereas in China they are four, therefore we do accept students with certain qualifications directly into Year Two, which is the start of the main academic programme. Most students, however, enter into Year One, which provides you with a range of interesting modules, language classes and core skills for your degree.

• Year Two

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell structure and function
  • Evolution and genetics
  • Programming in Java
  • Chemical principles of life
  • Algorithms
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemical methods and analysis
  • Organic chemistry
  • Databases.

• Year Three

  • Biostatistics I
  • Biostatistics II
  • Bioinformatics I
  • Bioinformatics II
  • Molecular and cell biology techniques
  • Database development and design
  • Advanced genetics
  • Artificial intelligence.

• Year Four

  • Big Data analytics
  • High-throughput biological data analysis
  • Biotechnology
  • Protein structure and function
  • Gene expression and genome analysis
  • Molecular immunology
  • Bio-computation
  • Final year project.

Careers

Bioinformatics is an emerging interdisciplinary field with strong market needs both in China and globally. Typical careers include bioinformatician, biostatistician, computational biologist, genetic counsellor and clinical bioinformatician as well as other types of biological and biomedical scientists. Graduates may also continue with their studies in programmes related to bioinformatics, clinical informatics, computational biology, biostatistics, molecular sciences and drug design.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) to find course entry requirements.

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