About this program
MSc in Bioinformatics
Computational Solutions for Biological and Biomedical Problems
A fusion of biology, statistics, and computer science, the MSc in Bioinformatics Program explores the development and application of computational solutions for analysing and handling biological and biomedical data. A successful bioinformatics solution combines theoretical and practical knowledge from several areas of science, including biology, statistics, and computer science a network of competencies that students will acquire through this Program.
Finding Solutions
The field of bioinformatics plays a key role in modern biology and biomedicine, fields in which collecting and analysing large data sets is essential. To address the challenges of big data in modern biology and biomedicine, a bioinformatician must combine practical and theoretical skills in statistical modelling and computer programming with a deep knowledge of biology and biomedicine. This Program gives students the necessary skills to tackle these challenges.
Teaching is greatly influenced by the innovative bioinformatics research taking place at Aarhus University, where all lecturers are also active researchers. AU has strong research groups within many areas of bioinformatics, including evolutionary bioinformatics (the study of how and in what way genomes or hereditary material in organisms develop over the course of time) and medical bioinformatics (the study of the correlations between diseases and genetic factors).
The bioinformatics Program at AU is based at the Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), which focuses on the challenges involved in large-scale genomics and population genetics, including statistical modelling, algorithmic development, machine learning, and high-performance computing.
Admission requirements
Students are qualified to apply if their Bachelor’s degree contains 15 ECTS within the fields of mathematics and statistics, 15 ECTS within either programming and algorithmics or molecular biology and genetics, and an additional 60 ECTS within one of the above topics or bioinformatics.
Selection Criteria
As the Master’s Program admits only a limited number of students each year, meeting the admission requirements does not in itself guarantee admission to the Program. Student places are allocated on the basis of an overall assessment. In evaluating qualified applicants, the admissions committee assesses applicants according to the following criteria: academic background; overall grade level of Bachelor’s degree; grades achieved on relevant courses; and relevant courses (measured in credit units) included in the Bachelor’s degree. Relevant courses include core courses within the subject areas of bioinformatics, mathematics and statistics, programming and algorithmics, and molecular biology and genetics.
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Program Structure
With a combination of two specializations, elective courses, and projects, there are many ways to structure your Bioinformatics Master’s Program. All students must write a thesis (30 ECTS) and produce a 10 ECTS project. All students must also follow a mandatory course in either computational thinking or molecular evolution depending on their background. The mandatory course can be part of a specialization, which makes it possible to have one more elective course. The 10 ECTS project can be scheduled in any semester, which makes it possible to study abroad during the third semester.
Scholarships & funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Tuition
- EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: FREE
- Others: €15,300
Career paths
Graduates with a Master’s in Bioinformatics are equipped not only to work as bioinformatics specialists in the biotechnology industry, but also in additional areas in which computational skills in analysing large amounts of data are essential. They are also in demand among employers in the IT industry as potential software developers.
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About this institute
Welcome to Aarhus University in Denmark!
Established in 1928, Aarhus University has grown to be a world-leading research institution with a modern, dynamic and highly international study environment. It is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top 100 educational institutions, and recently ranked 69th in...
Why study at Aarhus University
An international and diverse university
Aarhus University is home to many international students and researchers – 12% of our students are international, from over 120 different countries! For that reason, English is our second language here at AU and we offer over 50 English-taught courses at either Bachelor’s or Master’s level. All our PhDs are English-taught. We also have a dedicated International Centre, to provide and introduction to living in Denmark and offer support and guidance.
Informal environment with focus on critical thinking
Teaching at AU takes place in an informal and inspiring environment, with a high focus on developing critical thinking skills and encouraging open debate. Professors at AU welcome discussions and value student insights to their classes. Furthermore, many courses at Aarhus University are interdisciplinary to give a students a well-rounded perspective of their chosen subject.
A comprehensive university
Aarhus University has five main faculties: Arts, Business and Social Sciences, Health, Natural Sciences and Technical Sciences. Each faculty is highly specialized with state of the art research facilities available for student use. Our faculties of Natural and Technical Sciences both have a special focus on sustainability and facilitating a green transition.
