Master of Science in Bioinformatics

Bio-informatics is an inter-disciplinary field and is ideally suited to a broad range of science graduates, including biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians. The qualification will provide courses that are suitable for learners from a range of scientific backgrounds and will provide them with valuable training to enable them to pursue a career in the rapidly growing bio-pharmaceutical industry or the basis upon which to proceed to further research in Bio-informatics.

The qualification will provide learners with an insight into biology as an information science. Qualifiers will develop understanding of leading edge technologies in the "new biology" including Genomics and Bio-informatics. The qualification will enhance the ability of qualified learners to be globally competitive in the biological sciences by focussing on the most recent developments and international trends, as well as providing considerable intellectual stimulation and appreciation of an increasingly important scientific discipline.

The qualification will provide qualified learners with the necessary basis to participate in meaningful research in the areas of Bio-informatics and Computational Biology. Currently there is a deficit of formal training in Bio-informatics. Qualified learners wishing to perform research in this area must undergo informal training during their postgraduate years. Because this training is on an ad-hoc basis it is often incomplete and overly specialised, resulting in graduates with a narrow and unsatisfactory knowledge of the field and causing delay and frustration at master's and PhD level.

The qualification will have a very strong on-line component. This reflects the nature of Bio-Informatics research and will result in learners who are accustomed to learning from the internet and taking the initiative in their own educational development.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Bioinformatics, NQF Level 8.

1. Demonstrate a good foundation in Bio-informatics and detailed knowledge of a smaller number of specialist subjects. The learners will be able to work in a Bio-informatics environment in a commercial or academic setting. This will require learners to have a firm basis in biological science as well as the training required to manage information and carry out research on a computer.
2. Keep up to date with literature and develop critical reading of scientific research papers. As part of the qualification, learners will be required to present oral and written reviews of relevant topics in Bio-informatics to the rest of the group.
3. Develop the capacity to undertake a research project and to present the results of their research clearly, both orally and in written form.

Integrated Assessment

The leaner's knowledge of Bio-informatics will be assessed continually by SANBI faculty members, based upon assessment criteria which are being agreed by participating members of the S* Alliance. The performance will be compared with learners in other colleges that form part of the S* Alliance.

Leaners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out by SANBI faculty members and collaborating institutions.