Universities and Online Degrees Guide

University of the Witwatersrand

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Applied Bioinformatics

The Bachelor of Science with Honours in Applied Bioinformatics in Biology is offered by University of the Witwatersrand.

Program Length: 1 YEAR.

Bachelor of Science with Honours in Applied Bioinformatics offered by the University of the Witwatersrand

Bioinformatics is an applied discipline that provides support in analysing and interpreting data from an array of disciplines such as genetics, molecular biology, chemistry etc., thus contributing to solve pressing problems related to human health and environment alike.

Why study Applied Bioinformatics?

This course:

• Exposes students to theoretical and analytical aspects in the field of bioinformatics.
• Encourages and guides students to critically examine these topics and develop an appreciation of the integrative nature of biology, especially in its applications through biotechnology, disease biology and metagenomics.
• Exposes students to the range of experimental and analytical techniques fundamental to research at the molecular and cellular level.
• Grounds students in the research process, from conceptualisation and design of the project to its execution and dissemination and discussion of its findings.
• Assists students to become independent researchers and develop professional attitudes and skills.

Students will get hands-on experience in using bioinformatics tools related to following:

• Major bioinformatics databases and portals
• searching global alignment
• BLAST
• multiple sequence alignment techniques and tools
• an introduction and overview of phylogenetics techniques
• visualisation techniques
• pattern matching techniques and applications
• gene expression
• microarray data analysis
• protein analysis
  
  

Why study Applied Bioinformatics at Wits?

The School of Molecular and Cell Biology is unique in that it offers excellence in teaching and research at the postgraduate level in the diverse areas of: protein biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, food and industrial microbiology, immunology, microbial biological control, insect pathology, molecular genetics, the biology of mycorrhizas, plant pathology, plant genetic engineering, applied bioinformatics and it contains the Protein Structure and Function Research Unit.

The School of Molecular and Cell Biology is home to the following world-class facilities:

• Real-time PCR Instruments
• GelDoc systems with chemiluminescence functionality single crystal X-ray diffractometer and crystal farm
• Stopped-flow device with absorbance, fluorescence, and circular dichroism functionality
• Tissue culture laminar flows
• Spectrophotometers, fluorometers and spectropolarimeters
• Isothermal titration calorimeter
• 2D and high resolution SDS-PAGE
• Nanodrops
• Automated protein purification systems
• Ultra-centrifuges
• HPLC
• Flow cytometer for fluorescence activated cell scanning
• Controlled plant growth facilities photobioreactors and nematode bioreactors
• Scanning & transmission electron microscopes
• Compound, fluorescent and dissection microscopes.
• Computational facilities 

Several researchers within the school work at the interface of experimental biology and bioinformatics, therefore, the school provides an ideal environment for students to learn and apply bioinformatics skills on a wide variety of biological data.

Curriculum

To obtain an Honours degree in Molecular and Cell Biology, students will need to complete:

1. A techniques course.
   
   
2. Three current topics.
   
   The following topics are offered in 2019:
   • Protein Biotechnology
   • Systems integration in cell tumour biology
   • Protein structural Biology
   • Hot topics in infectious and non-infectious diseases
   • Omics
   • Plant and insect pathology
   • Microbiology in the age of microbiomes
   
   
3. A research project which will consist of the following components
   • Project proposal
   • Written project report
   • Poster presentation on completion of the project
   • Oral presentation on completion of the project

The subjects of research projects are within the research interests of the academic staff.List of compulsory courses with course code and name

• Techniques course MCBG4028A
• Current topics MCBG4027A
• Research Project MCBG4030A