If you find any data displayed on this website that should be amended, please contact the Curriculum Management Team.
Module Title
LM Computational Biology for Complex Systems
School
School of Bioscience
Department
School of Biosciences
Module Code
02 29785
Module Lead
Jiarui Zhou
Level
Masters Level
Credits
20
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
None
Exclusions
Description
This module focuses on big data-driven science leveraging diverse omics modalities in the environmental, ecological and toxicological areas. This module will draw from the fields of molecular biology, systems biology, computational biology, toxicology, and risk assessment – though these are not prerequisites for enrolment. Theory and concepts will be highlighted by real world applications drawn from the scientific literature. By involving instructions from industry, government agency and NGO scientists, it means to offers a variety of dynamically evolving career paths to students.
Specifically, it will contain three parts: • Introduction to Environmental, Ecological and Toxicological Sciences and practical examples – with a focus on research conducted in the University of Birmingham Macrocosms. Data types and problems faced in the study of highly complex environmental and biological systems. • Computational approaches specific to the field such as complexity theory, hierarchical models, ecological models, population dynamics, and the emerging fields in which Birmingham faculty play a world-leading role: precision toxicology and molecular ecosystems biology.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Acquire a fundamental technical understanding of omics technologies (transcriptomics and metabolomics), high-throughput in vivo and in vitro assays, and computational approaches as applied to environmental and ecological systems.
Develop a systematic understanding of the emerging field of computational biology, including explainable learning, multimodal learning, and network biology.
Gain a comprehensive insight into the field of Molecular Ecosystems Biology, focusing on the environmental DNA (eDNA) technique, environmental factor-biodiversity interactions, and the role of biodiversity in establishing a healthy and resilient environment.
Undertake integrative analysis for real-world multi-omics data , along with the proficiency to apply these techniques to personal research.
Cultivate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of the implications of research in Biology-related fields, with a particular emphasis on ethical considerations.
Deliver a compelling abstract and oral presentation on original research in the ecological sciences.
