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Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (M.Sc.)

Taught in German

Overview

Bild zur Illustration: Bioinformatik und Systembiologie
Bild zur Illustration: Bioinformatik und Systembiologie

Image: Kheng Ho Toh/123rf.com


Overview

Overview

This consecutive degree course was developed jointly by faculties 7 - 11 of Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) and faculty 6 of the University of Applied Science Central Hesse (THM, Giessen campus).

The consecutive degree programme offers you a broad, interdisciplinary orientation and is open to you not only with a B.Sc. in computer science, bioinformatics or biology, but also as a graduate of further scientific-mathematical courses (e.g..: B.Sc. Chemistry, B.Sc. Food Chemistry, B.Sc. Agricultural/Environment and Nutrition Sciences, B.Sc. Medical Informatics, Veterinary Medicine, Medicine, B.Sc. Mathematics), if you are interested in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics.

The structure of the contents of the first and second semester (course semester) allows students to achieve their study goals to a great extent independently of the type of previous education in life sciences or in computer science and, together with a research-related education in the third and fourth semester (research semester), to develop specialist competences for a qualified professional future.

 

The aims of the Master’s programme “Bioinformatics and Systems Biology” are:

 

1. an interdisciplinary education (based on a basic education in biology, biomedicine, mathematics and computer science) with a focus on:

  • in-depth methodological competence in Bioinformatics/ Systems Biology,
  • special competences in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics,
  • competences for the development of new algorithms in high-throughput data analysis,
  • competences in big data analysis in bioinformatics,
  • competences in machine learning,
  • competences in in silico modelling of complex biological processes and systems.

2. to offer professional education in 4 main areas, of which the students can deepen 2:

  • algorithms in bioinformatics, algebraic dynamic programming, big data, machine learning,
  • genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics ("molecular" systems biology),
  • modelling of complex biological processes and systems,
  • high throughput data analysis.

3. to develop additional interdisciplinary competences:

  • the integration of students into a newly developed, interdisciplinary centre for bioinformatics and systems biology as a cooperation between JLU and THM University of Applied Sciences,
  • the establishment of mixed small learning groups consisting of students with a background in bioinformatics and life sciences,
  • laboratory rotations between the JLU and the THM University of Applied Sciences as well as between the 5 participating departments of the JLU,
  • active support for students on stays abroad,
  • established cooperation with the biomedical industry,
  • involvement in strategic research projects of JLU and THM University of Applied Sciences (DFG, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, BMBF),
  • a cooperation with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Switzerland,
  • a cooperation with the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research (MPI) in Bad Nauheim.
Duration of studies 4 Semester 120 Credit Points (CP)

Duration of Studies

4 Semesters - 120 Credit Points (CP)

Accreditation

since 23 June 2005

Composition of the Study Programme

Composition

Composition of the Study programme

The programme combines research and application-oriented aspects and is divided into two course semesters and two research semesters. In the research semesters you will complete your education in a research-related environment in direct contact with several working groups of the two universities or external institutes/companies to complete your training in a research-related environment.

In order to familiarise students with an international professional field, an internship abroad of up to 12 CP is possible and desired, but not mandatory. In addition, starting in the second semester, courses are taught in English so that students become more accustomed to obtaining information from foreign language sources and communicating in English. 

 

Modules

1. Semester 2. Semester
Fundamental Mathematics (6 CP)

Core areas

  • Specialisation area II:
    Molecular systems biology Part 1 and 2 (each 6 CP)
  • Specialisation area III:
    Applied modeling of complex biological processes and systems part 1 and 2 (each 6 CP)
  • Specialisation area IV 
    Analysis of High- Throughput Data Part 1 and 2 (each 6 CP)

In the specialisations II-IV, sections 1 and 2 build on each other, which is why they are chosen in their entirety,

  • Specialisation V: Algorithms in Bioinformatics (6 CP), Algebraic Dynamic Programming (6 CP), Big Data (6 CP), Machine Learning (6 CP)

The four modules from specialisation V can be freely combined. You choose a total of 24 CP. Two specialisations from II-IV can be selected, or two modules from specialisation V and another specialisation can be selected, or all four modules from specialisation V can be taken.
Fundamental Calculus and Statistics (6 CP)

 

Module a or module b:

a) for students without previous knowledge in bioinformatics: Computer Science (6 CP)

b) for students with previous knowledge: Biology (6 CP)

Methods seminar (3 CP)

Compulsory elective module with alternating offers from the following subject areas:

  • Informatics
  • Metabolomics/proteomics/transcriptomics/genomics/metagenomics
  • Drug substance research
  • Object-orientated programming
  • Microbiome data analysis
  • High Performance Computing (HPC)
  • Simulation
Introduction to core areas of the master programme (12 CP)
  • Bioinformatics Algorithms, algebraic dynamic programming, big data, machine learning
  • Molecular systems biology
  • Applied modeling of complex biological processes and systems
  • Analysis of High- Throughput Data

Lecture series Modern Aspects of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (3 CP)

Working groups, research institutes and companies that offer internships and/or final theses in the practical year introduce themselves.

Additional Qualifications (6 CP)

You choose from the modules below.

 

Additional Qualification I:

a) Statistical models for bioinformatics and systems biology (6 CP)

b) Object-oriented Programming (6 CP)

c) Applied Bioinformatics (6CP) 

  
3. Semester 4. Semester
The majority of the 3rd semester is dedicated to working in working groups. Master-Thesis with the previously elected supervisor. Can also be completed in co-operation with industry or abroad.
Laboratory Rotation 1 (6 CP)

Laboratory rotation in a university working group or a comparable research institution

(One or both laboratory internships can be replaced by a work placement or a stay abroad.)

Laboratory Rotation 2 (6 CP)
Laboratory rotation in a university working group or a comparable research institution

(One or both laboratory internships can be replaced by a work placement or a stay abroad.)
Scientific project work (6 CP)
Methodical preparation for the thesis, is accomplished in the working group in which the thesis is also written in.
Introduction to scientific work and thesis preparation (6 CP)
Practical and conceptual components of planning scientific projects and writing project proposals and scientific publications.
Special seminar I (3 CP)
Seminar on current topics from a research area of bioinformatics or systems biology. Preparation of a presentation on a current topic (e.g. literature presentation).

Specia seminar II (3 CP)
Seminar on current topics from a research area of bioinformatics or systems biology. Preparation of a presentation on a current topic (e.g. literature presentation).

 

Master-Thesis (after the Scientific project work, usually in the 4th semester)

With the Master's thesis the students will demonstrate their ability to work independently on scientific problems in one of the focus areas of their subject and the course is then completed.

 

Further Information

A description of the core- and specialisation modules can be found in the special regulations with module descriptions and module plans (in German)

More on this... ("Spezielle Ordnung")

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Application

Commencement of Studies in the Winter Semester

Commencement of studies

Only possible in the winter semester

Application: Entrance requirements

Entrance requirements

The entry prerequisite for the Master’s degree course is a relevant Bachelor`s degree.
Relevant degree courses are

  • Bioinformatics
  • Biology
  • Computer Science

On request, other degrees can be recognised, provided that the attainment of at least 18 credit points in mathematics/statistics, biology and/or computer science can be proven. After that there will be an individual examination in each case.

Applicants without a German university entrance qualification must provide proof of German language skills in accordance with the JLU admission guidelines.

Application not limited only winter

Application / Enrolment

  • The study programme is not subject to admission restrictions.

  • The enrolment period for the winter semester begins at the beginning of June.

  • The end of the enrolment period is determined anew each year, please enquire in the application portal during the enrolment period.

Different rules apply in some cases for international applicants. More...

 

BewerbungsportalApplication portal

Career Options

Career Options

Career Options

Bioinformatics and systems biology are new, up-and-coming and challenging branches of science at the interface of the computer science and life sciences disciplines. Modern molecular biology, biotechnology and medicine rely to an ever greater extent on computer methods; bioinformatics and systems biology are thus essential to the current advances being made in these fields. The goal of the bioinformatics and systems biology course is therefore to train experts at the interface of the computer science and life sciences disciplines so as to advance these innovative emerging disciplines.
In biotechnology, bioinformatics/systems biology are regarded as key technologies. There is high demand for such expertise from industry as it is only by using the methods of bioinformatics that knowledge can be generated from the wealth of biological data (data mining). Large pharmaceutical companies as well as biotechnology start-ups have a high demand for bioinformatics and systems biology specialists.
The knowledge and skills acquired in the technical and methodological modules allow graduates of this course to obtain employment in a variety of professions that can be divided into the following main groups:

  • research institutes dealing with high-throughput analysis and/or modelling of biosystems,
  • molecular and biomedicine-oriented analysis and diagnostics in industrial environments,
  • research and teaching at universities and non-university research institutions,
  • activities as data analysts in research groups or companies in biology, biotechnology, medicine, etc,
  • activities in bioinformatics departments of research-related companies in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry,
  • bioinformatics departments in the pharmaceuticals and life sciences industry,
  • providers of bioinformatics system solutions as a service to the pharmaceuticals and veterinary pharmaceuticals industry,
  • specialist agencies for patent and information technology.

In the research- and practice-oriented second year of study (professional internship, laboratory internships, Master's thesis, etc.), students can familiarise themselves with various work and career profiles in research and development. The work placement in particular gives students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with a potential working environment. Furthermore, the overall research and practice-orientated focus of the 3rd and 4th semesters provides a good opportunity to familiarise themselves with various work and career profiles in research and development.

Doctorate

After successfully completing a Master's degree, it is possible to study for a doctorate. This opens up further career opportunities.
Information on doctoral studies...
 
Graduate centres

International Giessen Graduate Centre for the Life Sciences

Giessen Graduate Centre for Natural Sciences and Psychology

International

Incomings

Information about studying at Justus Liebig University Giessen (incomings)

International Office
General counseling of international students
Dr. Saltanat Rakhimzhanova, Patrycja Zakrzewska

Goethestr. 58, Room 38
35390 Giessen

Contact and office hours

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Further Information

Further Information: Documents

PDF documents for the courses of study

Examination- and study regulations

 

Courses offered in the course catalogue

Links


Master's Degree Programmes of Faculty 08

International pages

Please have a look at our International Pages for more information in English.

Any Questions

Any Questions?

Information- and advisory services of JLU can be found under the category “contact” on this page!

Contact

Subject Advisor

Subject Advisor

Dr. Jochen Blom
Heinrich-Buff-Ring 58, room I 0003b
35392 Giessen
Tel.: 0641 -99 35803

Links

Links


Central Study Advisor

Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A.

Wiebke Blumenthal, M.A. (Pädagogin)

Central Student Services

Directions and welcome desk