BCBio 211X Spring 2010
Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology.
BCBio 211X Spring 2010
Time & Location: Tu, Th 2:10p - 3:30p (Units: 3); 0115 Science II
Instructors: Hui-Hsien Chou (507 Science Hall II; Tel.: 294-9242) Xun Gu (536 Science Hall II; Tel.: 294-8075) Volker Brendel (2112 MBB; Tel.: 294-9884)
Teaching Philosophy:
emphasizes
integration of research and textbook learning
and interdisciplinary study.
Email: HC,
hhchou@iastate.edu;
XG,
xgu@iastate.edu;
VB,
vbrendel@iastate.edu.
WWW:
http://brendelgroup.org/
Office Hours:
TBA.
Grades: will be determined as described
below.
Schedule, Notes, and Homework Assignments:
are available on
WebCT.
Computing Resources:
You will need access to the WWW to complete homework assignments.
version of this syllabus
Synopsis
Overview of bioinformatics and computational biology. Database searching, sequence alignment, gene prediction, RNA and protein structure prediction, construction of phylogenetic trees, comparative and functional genomics. Introductory Perl programming for bioinformatics.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. BCBio Majors will likely take this course in their second year (see
BCBio Program and Requirements).
Please address any special needs or special accommodations with the instructor at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your needs. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the Disability Resources (DR) office (515-294-6624). DR is located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building.
Assignments
There will be regular homework assignments to enhance the students' learning process. Homework completion will be required to pass the course, but otherwise the assignments will not be graded.
Project
There will be one Perl programming project toward the end of the semester that will be graded. Completion of this project is also required to pass the course.
Grading
Grading will be based on three in-class, written midterm examinations, each counting for 20% of the final grade, the Perl project which counts for 10%, and a final written examination, counting for 30% of the grade.
Textbooks
Marketa Zvelebil and Jeremy O. Brown,
Understanding Bioinformatics. Garland Science, New York and London, 2008.
Randal L. Schwartz, Tom Phoenix and brian d foy.
Learning Perl, 5th Ed. (or
4th Ed.) O'Reilly Media, Inc., Sebastopol, CA, 2008