CS424-15 Computational Biology

Academic year
20/21
Department
Computer Science
Level
Undergraduate Level 4
Module leader
Till Bretschneider
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The module will cover topics on the acquisition of and analysis of large-scale data generated in biomedical sciences, particularly DNA/RNA sequences, live cell microscopy and multi-gigapixel pathology images. Students will be introduced to how these data are acquired, modern machine learning methods to process the data, and computational modelling approaches to help us better understand the complex phenomena underpinning biological processes. The module will be taught following an "algorithmic approach," demonstrating that addressing problems in computational biology requires a diverse range of theoretical concepts and algorithms, making it an exciting and rapidly evolving field for computer scientists.

Module aims

The module is designed to develop student research skills in the broad area of computational biology.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

Indicative reading list

Zvelebil, M., and Baum, J.O., Understanding Bioinformatics. Garland Science, 2008;
Kremling, A., Systems Biology. CRC Press, 2014;
Pantanowitz, L., and Parwani, A., Digital Pathology. ASCP, 2017;
Alberts, B., et al., Essential cell biology: an introduction to the molecular biology of the cell (5/e). Garland, 2008.

Research element

Students need to develop and implement algorithms to address questions typically asked in current research projects. For example: Perform sequence analysis of homologous genes and construct phylogenetic trees, generate simulation data of gene regulatory networks and perform dimensionality reduction and clustering, develop models for cellular dynamics, analyze digital pathology images taken from real-world data.

Interdisciplinary

The module will cover a broad range of techniques used in biology, mathematics, and computer science.

Subject specific skills

By the end of the module, students will have acquired skills in:

Transferable skills

 Technical - Technological competence and staying current with knowledge
 Communication - Verbal, listening, writing, technical communication skills, using different medium for communicating
 Critical Thinking - Problem-solving, analysis of possible solutions etc
 Creativity - Ability to harnass creative ideas and turn them into tangible and strategic products/solutions

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 20 sessions of 1 hour (13%)
Supervised practical classes 10 sessions of 1 hour (7%)
Private study 120 hours (80%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Background reading of research papers, working through additional examples and improving coding skills, revision.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group C
Weighting Study time
Assignment 1, Assignment 2, and Assignment 3 50%

3 assignments are given on the following topics, each having the given overall weighting:
Sequence analysis, phylogenetic trees and gene regulatory networks - 16.6%
Cellular dynamics - 16.7%
Digital pathology - 16.7%

Online Examination 50%

CS424 examination

~Platforms - AEP


  • Answerbook Pink (12 page)
Assessment group R
Weighting Study time
Online Examination - Resit 100%

CS424 resit examination.

~Platforms - AEP


  • Students may use a calculator
Feedback on assessment

Written comments on coursework

Past exam papers for CS424

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 5 of UCSA-G504 MEng Computer Science (with intercalated year)
  • UCSA-G503 Undergraduate Computer Science MEng
    • Year 4 of G503 Computer Science MEng
    • Year 4 of G503 Computer Science MEng
  • Year 4 of USTA-G1G3 Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics (BSc MMathStat)

This module is Option list A for:

  • Year 4 of USTA-G304 Undergraduate Data Science (MSci)

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 4 of UCSA-G4G3 Undergraduate Discrete Mathematics