Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics (Classe LM-8)-Enrolled from 2019/2020 Academic Year
Master programme
interateneo Politecnico di Milano
A.Y. 2019/2020
LM-8 - Biotecnologie industriali (EN)
The Master Degree in "Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics" (BCG) aims to form graduates with an adequate knowledge about the molecular basis of biological systems; the structure and function of biological molecules and how they participate in cellular processes; the technologies and platforms for the analysis of genomes; of the tools for bioinformatic and genomic analysis; and the statistical and computational methodologies for the analysis of biomolecular data.
The BCG degree therefore includes activities providing in depth knowledge on:
1) the organization of information in the genome and the molecular and cellular processes at the basis of gene expression and its regulation.
2) the experimental methods used for studying genes and their function in different model species, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
3) the technologies employed in modern genomic research
4) methods and protocols of bioinformatic analysis in functional genomics studies
5) algorithmic, mathematical and statistical approaches underlying bioinformatic and genomic analysis tools
6) data base technologies for the storage and organization of the data
7) modelling and analysis techniques employed in systems biology for the study of interactions in complex biological systems.
The program includes, as a fundamental step in the formation of the students, an internship in research laboratories either at the University of Milan or in other Italian or foreign research institutes. The research experience of the internship and its results will be described in a final written dissertation, to be discussed in front of a thesis committee.
The BCG degree therefore includes activities providing in depth knowledge on:
1) the organization of information in the genome and the molecular and cellular processes at the basis of gene expression and its regulation.
2) the experimental methods used for studying genes and their function in different model species, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic.
3) the technologies employed in modern genomic research
4) methods and protocols of bioinformatic analysis in functional genomics studies
5) algorithmic, mathematical and statistical approaches underlying bioinformatic and genomic analysis tools
6) data base technologies for the storage and organization of the data
7) modelling and analysis techniques employed in systems biology for the study of interactions in complex biological systems.
The program includes, as a fundamental step in the formation of the students, an internship in research laboratories either at the University of Milan or in other Italian or foreign research institutes. The research experience of the internship and its results will be described in a final written dissertation, to be discussed in front of a thesis committee.
The BCG Master degree aims to train highly skilled professionals able to merge in depth knowledge on the molecular foundations of life sciences with up-to-date knowledge of the current techniques and technologies for bioinformatic and genomic analysis. Particular emphasis will be put on the quantitative and computational aspects of the latter ones, which will be focused on the analysis, modelling, and comprehension of biological systems. The ultimate goal is to train in a multi-disciplinary context professionals ready to cope with the challenges deriving from modern biomolecular sciences in the post-genomic era, and able to conjugate and integrate knowledge on biology, genetics, computer science, information engineering, and statistics in different fields of basic or applied research.
Graduates in BCG will thus be able to:
1. take part in the design and execution of large scale genomic analyses;
2. identify and extract the biological meaning from the results obtained;
3. design autonomously tools and protocols for the bioinformatic analysis of different types of experimental data
4. play a pivotal role in research groups focused on basic or applied genomic research;
5. coordinate and supervise research projects and groups focused on bioinformatics and genomics.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Graduates in BCG will thus be able to:
1. take part in the design and execution of large scale genomic analyses;
2. identify and extract the biological meaning from the results obtained;
3. design autonomously tools and protocols for the bioinformatic analysis of different types of experimental data
4. play a pivotal role in research groups focused on basic or applied genomic research;
5. coordinate and supervise research projects and groups focused on bioinformatics and genomics.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Italian Students
Students can apply to the BCG Master degree course, provided that they satisfy one of the following two requirements:
1) they have completed a bachelor degree program (Laurea Triennale) in one of the following classes:
- Biotechnology (class L2);
- Biology (class L13);
- Agriculture and Food Sciences (class L26);
- Pharmacological Sciences (class L29);
and during their studies they have acquired at least 30 CFU in biological areas (SSD BIO) with at least 18 CFU in Genetics (BIO/18), Molecular Biology (BIO/11) and Biochemistry (BIO/10)
OR
2) they have completed a bachelor degree program (Laurea Triennale) in one of the following classes:
- Information Engineering (class L8);
- Physics (class L30);
- Computer Sciences (class L31);
- Mathematics (class L35).
and during their studies they have acquired at least 30 CFU in the areas of computer science, information engineering, biomedical engineering, mathematics and/or statistics (SSD INF/01, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/06, MAT/01-09, and/or SECS-S/01), with at least 6 CFU in mathematics (MAT/01-09) and at least 12 CFU in one or more of the following areas: computer science (INF/01), information engineering (ING-INF/05), biomedical engineering (ING-INF/06), statistics (SECS-S/01).
The same criteria are applied to candidates in possession of foreign university degrees, deemed to be suitable by the Teachers Council, in which it is possible to clearly identify disciplines and number of credits acquired for each discipline. If this is not possible, the documents certifying the career of the candidates will be examined in detail by the Teachers Council in order to assess if their background complies with the previous requirements.
Foreign Students
Students in possession of a Bachelor degree in an area of those described at the previous point (Admission for Italian Students), where courses taken in the required disciplines can be clearly identified together with the amount of hours/credits of the courses. If this is not possible, the documents certifying the career of the students will be examined by the Teachers Council in order to assess if their background complies with the previous requirements.
Language Requirements
Knowledge of English is a requirement for the access to the BCG Master degree. Students should have acquired beforehand a B2 level certification (vantage or upper intermediate, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment). Students without a B2 placement test may be accepted on condition that their level of English proficiency, assessed during the interview, is evidently good, or, in alternative, can present a report or screenshot of their results at the self-test Dialang (that can be taken on the internet at http://dialangweb.lancaster.ac.uk).
The adequate personal preparation of the candidates, their ability to communicate in English and their motivation are decisive elements for the admission and they are going to be verified and tested during an admission interview.
Knowledge of Italian is not required for attendance. However, as required by regulations, foreign students will have to demonstrate to have acquired basic knowledge of the Italian language before the final dissertation.
Students can apply to the BCG Master degree course, provided that they satisfy one of the following two requirements:
1) they have completed a bachelor degree program (Laurea Triennale) in one of the following classes:
- Biotechnology (class L2);
- Biology (class L13);
- Agriculture and Food Sciences (class L26);
- Pharmacological Sciences (class L29);
and during their studies they have acquired at least 30 CFU in biological areas (SSD BIO) with at least 18 CFU in Genetics (BIO/18), Molecular Biology (BIO/11) and Biochemistry (BIO/10)
OR
2) they have completed a bachelor degree program (Laurea Triennale) in one of the following classes:
- Information Engineering (class L8);
- Physics (class L30);
- Computer Sciences (class L31);
- Mathematics (class L35).
and during their studies they have acquired at least 30 CFU in the areas of computer science, information engineering, biomedical engineering, mathematics and/or statistics (SSD INF/01, ING-INF/05, ING-INF/06, MAT/01-09, and/or SECS-S/01), with at least 6 CFU in mathematics (MAT/01-09) and at least 12 CFU in one or more of the following areas: computer science (INF/01), information engineering (ING-INF/05), biomedical engineering (ING-INF/06), statistics (SECS-S/01).
The same criteria are applied to candidates in possession of foreign university degrees, deemed to be suitable by the Teachers Council, in which it is possible to clearly identify disciplines and number of credits acquired for each discipline. If this is not possible, the documents certifying the career of the candidates will be examined in detail by the Teachers Council in order to assess if their background complies with the previous requirements.
Foreign Students
Students in possession of a Bachelor degree in an area of those described at the previous point (Admission for Italian Students), where courses taken in the required disciplines can be clearly identified together with the amount of hours/credits of the courses. If this is not possible, the documents certifying the career of the students will be examined by the Teachers Council in order to assess if their background complies with the previous requirements.
Language Requirements
Knowledge of English is a requirement for the access to the BCG Master degree. Students should have acquired beforehand a B2 level certification (vantage or upper intermediate, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment). Students without a B2 placement test may be accepted on condition that their level of English proficiency, assessed during the interview, is evidently good, or, in alternative, can present a report or screenshot of their results at the self-test Dialang (that can be taken on the internet at http://dialangweb.lancaster.ac.uk).
The adequate personal preparation of the candidates, their ability to communicate in English and their motivation are decisive elements for the admission and they are going to be verified and tested during an admission interview.
Knowledge of Italian is not required for attendance. However, as required by regulations, foreign students will have to demonstrate to have acquired basic knowledge of the Italian language before the final dissertation.
In the frame work of the Erasmus+ program, the BCG Master course has in place agreements with Universities in Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Norway, and The Netherlands, all offering courses in English.
Calls for participation can be found at the following link: http://www.unimi.it/studenti/erasmus/79224.htm
The time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master degree, as well as to carry out the experimental project for the dissertation. The student admitted to the mobility program must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that he/she plans to carry out, with the corresponding credits. The number of credits should correspond as much as possible to the number of credits that the student should acquire in a similar time at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master degree. The study plan must be approved by the BCG Student Mobility Committee, which can request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses attended (with a passed exam) by the student are registered in his/her career, preferably with its original name and with an indication of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and their conversion in CFU (usually 1 ECTS= 1 CFU). The students willing to carry out their dissertation work as part of a mobility program abroad must have an internal supervisor (chosen among the BCG lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the BCG Teaching Board.
Calls for participation can be found at the following link: http://www.unimi.it/studenti/erasmus/79224.htm
The time spent abroad can be used to attend courses and pass the relative exams, thus collecting credits towards the Master degree, as well as to carry out the experimental project for the dissertation. The student admitted to the mobility program must submit a study plan detailing the training activities that he/she plans to carry out, with the corresponding credits. The number of credits should correspond as much as possible to the number of credits that the student should acquire in a similar time at the home University. The proposed activities must be consistent with the goals and the contents of the Master degree. The study plan must be approved by the BCG Student Mobility Committee, which can request changes or integrations. At the end of the mobility program, according to the guidelines provided by the University of Milan, the courses attended (with a passed exam) by the student are registered in his/her career, preferably with its original name and with an indication of the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and their conversion in CFU (usually 1 ECTS= 1 CFU). The students willing to carry out their dissertation work as part of a mobility program abroad must have an internal supervisor (chosen among the BCG lecturers) and the study plan must be approved by the BCG Teaching Board.
Course attendance is highly recommended. Exceptions for students planning not to attend all or most of the classes of a course ("student non frequentanti") must be motivated and authorized by the lecturer.
Courses list
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Bioinformatics and Computational Biology | 6 | 48 | English | ING-INF/05 |
| Organic Chemistry | 6 | 48 | English | CHIM/06 |
| Optional | ||||
| Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | English | BIO/10 |
| Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology | 12 | 96 | English | BIO/11 BIO/13 BIO/18 |
| Programming and Data Bases | 12 | 96 | English | INF/01 ING-INF/05 |
| Statistics | 6 | 48 | English | MAT/06 SECS-S/01 |
Second semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Biostatistics | 6 | 48 | English | MAT/06 SECS-S/01 |
| Genomics and Transcriptomics | 12 | 96 | English | BIO/11 |
| Machine Learning | 6 | 48 | English | INF/01 ING-INF/05 |
| Scientific Programming | 6 | 48 | English | ING-INF/05 |
Optional activities and study plan rules
1 - Students with a degree/background in computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics will attend the courses of the "Percorso 1" ("Knowledge Alignment Plan 1") in Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology (12 CFU) and Biochemistry (6 CFU).
Students with a degree/background in life sciences (biology or biotechnology or equivalent) will attend the courses of the "Percorso 2" ("Knowledge Alignment Plan 2") in Programming and Data Bases (12 CFU) and Statistics (6 CFU).
Students with a degree/background in life sciences (biology or biotechnology or equivalent) will attend the courses of the "Percorso 2" ("Knowledge Alignment Plan 2") in Programming and Data Bases (12 CFU) and Statistics (6 CFU).
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | BIO/10 |
| Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology | 12 | 96 | English | First semester | BIO/11 BIO/13 BIO/18 |
| Programming and Data Bases | 12 | 96 | English | First semester | INF/01 ING-INF/05 |
| Statistics | 6 | 48 | English | First semester | MAT/06 SECS-S/01 |
be activated by the A.Y. 2020/2021
First semester
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Advanced Genomics and Epigenomics | 12 | 96 | English | BIO/18 BIO/19 |
| Structural Chemistry | 6 | 48 | English | CHIM/06 ING-IND/34 |
| Systems Biology and Network Analysis | 6 | 48 | English | ING-INF/06 |
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities (e.g. open online courses).
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory | ||||
| Thesis Project and Final Dissertation | 21 | 0 | English | |
Optional activities and study plan rules
2 - Open choice courses: 12 CFU
3 - Language Skills and other activities: 3 CFU will be assigned for knowledge of the English language, or of the Italian language for foreign students, or by other activities like attending seminars from invited experts and scientists.
There are no propaedeutic courses in the BCG degree that can limit progression from the first to the second year.
Tutors professors
Reference structures
A.Y. 2025/2026
A.Y. 2024/2025
A.Y. 2023/2024
A.Y. 2022/2023
A.Y. 2021/2022
A.Y. 2020/2021
A.Y. 2019/2020
Official documents