Computational Biology

Module overview

Modern biology poses many challenging problems for the computer scientists. Rapid growth in instrumentation, and our ability to archive and distribute vast amounts of data, has significantly changed the way we attempt to understand cellular function, and the way we seek to treat complex diseases. Data from biology comes in various forms: nucleotide and amino-acid sequences, macromolecular structures, measurements from high-throughput experiments and curated literature in the form of publications and functional annotations. It is nowadays widely acknowledged that computational modelling will play a key role in extracting useful information from vast amounts of such diverse types of data. The computational challenges faced by the human genome project and Alan Turing’s contribution to morphogenesis are classic examples of such roles.

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: ((MATH2047 and (ELEC2204 or ELEC1212) or (COMP2208 and COMP2210)

Learning and Teaching

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	20
Wider reading or practice	34
Preparation for scheduled sessions	10
Follow-up work	10
Completion of assessment task	53
Supervised time in studio/workshop	20
Tutorial	3
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Alon, U. (2006). An introduction to systems biology: design principles of biological circuits. Taylor & Francis Group.

Durbin, R., Eddy, S.E., Krogh, A. and Mitchison, G. (1998). Biological sequence analysis: probabilistic models of proteins and nucleic acids. Cambridge University Press.

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
CAA Exam	25%
Continuous Assessment	35%
Individual project	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Module overview

Linked modules

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Knowledge and Understanding

Transferable and Generic Skills

Syllabus