BIOLOGY 4FF3
Introductory Computational Biology


This course was offered last during term 2 in 2004.


Computational biology: the discipline wherein computers are used predominantly to study living systems.

Computational techniques (mathematical and numerical modeling, graphical and object-oriented simulation, and data analysis) have become essential tools for conducting biological research at many levels: bioinformatic (genomic and proteomic) investigations, cellular, molecular, & developmental studies, physiological assays, ecological & evolutionary modeling, population genetic & conservation programmes, and phylogenetic systematic analyses involve computers. Therefore, every life-science researcher ought to develop familiarity with Computational Biology in philosophical, theoretical, and practical terms.


Course Description

This course provides an opportunity to acquire tools, comprehend techniques, and develop skills that are used in computational biology research. These tools, techniques, and skills are presented in an explicitly biological context and complement those that are presented in prerequisite mathematics and statistics courses.

NOTE:
Students who lack but wish to possess computational skills are encouraged strongly to enrol but should consult with the course instructor (at the email address below) prior to registering.

Topics that are covered span a variety of levels from gene to species and include:


Content, Format, and Evaluation

Students' interests, preferences, and desires will be considered in determining final course content, format, and evaluation (preliminary evaluation scheme: problem sets (10 @ 5%), review (10%), report (15%), examination (25%)).


Yellow Card System

Students will be allotted virtually one yellow card at course initiation. If a student is unable to submit material for a tutorial assignment by the prescribed deadline, then the yellow card will redeemed (and no mark will be recorded). Students who retain their yellow card may exchange it one-to-one for a perfect evaluation ( i.e., the yellow card may replace any tutorial assignment score). Yellow cards are non-transferable.

The yellow card system is implemented to recognise that sometimes circumstances conspire beyond predictable control (e.g., a pregnant dog goes into labour the night before an assignment is due) … ‘stuff happens!’ Yellow cards allow students to miss one assignment without penalty and teaching assistants to be efficient (i.e., ruthless) in processing assignments.


To obtain additional information, please feel welcome to contact course instructor Jon Stone via email: jstoner@mcmaster.ca.

Please mouseclick to return to Stone Laboratory main page.