MSc Bioinformatics Programme Specification 2023-24_.xlsx

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MSc Bioinformatics
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			September 2024		Award type			MSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			1 year
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			N/A
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15	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Biology
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17	Lead department			Biology		Other contributing departments
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19	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
25	No
26	No
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	University's Framework for Programme Design (PGT).
31	University's Framework for Programme Design (PGT).
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
35	No
36	No
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
40	None
41	None
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	No			Transfers out:	No
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that applies and develops computational methods to extract and report on insights from biological data. It includes importing, tidying, visualising, analysing and communicating and is applied to complex problems in any domain of biology and beyond, with data generated from, for example, images, all types of 'omic' technologies and monitoring devices. The overarching aim of this Masters programme is to inspire and train bioscience researchers who can conduct bioinformatic analyses to generate novel insights from biological data. In the Department of Biology, we have considerable research expertise in the application and design of computational methods for finding solutions for three major global challenges: Health and Disease, Sustainable food and fuel, and Environmental change. The Bioinformatics programme is aimed at bioscientists with little or no previous experience of programming or bioinformatic analyses. It begins with modules in Genomics, Data Analysis and Programming, and Research, Professional and Team Skills. These introduce relevant subject knowledge and scientific literature in bioinformatics and train you in the computational tools and research skills needed to conduct collaborative and independent research projects. In the second semester you will design and execute a group project along side taking the Research Seminars in Bioinformatics module which focuses on in-depth case studies from York scientists, taught through interactive seminars. You will then undertake an extended independent research project in the final semester. The written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific data and ideas will be integral to the assessment of both projects. By undertaking this programme, you will therefore receive a thorough grounding in research bioinformatics that will enable you to pursue a bioscience PhD with a computational component or a range of other specialist career paths within industry.
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62	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
63	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
64	Postgraduate Certificate in Bioinformatics.			Exit only	1. Construct summaries of scientific literature with some criticality that demonstrate understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Bioinformatics. 2. Undertake data analysis. 3. Describe state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Bioinformatics. 4. Produce written, oral and other academic communications about the impact of Bioinformatics in real-world and global issues to a variety of audiences.			Semester 1: Advanced Research Topics in Bioinformatics, Data Analysis and Programming in the Biosciences Research, Professional and Team Skills.
65	Postgraduate Diploma in Bioinformatics.			Exit only	1. Construct critical evaluations and summaries of scientific literature that demonstrate a understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of research in Bioinformatics. 2. Design Bioinformatic analyses of biological data 3. Show understanding, with some criticality, state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Bioinformatics, drawing upon first-hand experience of research 4. Produce written, oral and other academic communications, to describe and evaluate the impact of Bioinformatics in real-world and global issues, and report to a variety of audiences 5. Work in collaborative groups to create scientific insight for a range of challenges in the biosciences. 6. Apply technical expertise, practical experience and other transferable skills to a wide range of working environments including research groups, industries and enterprises relating to Bioinformatics.			Semesters 1 and 2: Advanced Research Topics in Bioinformatics, Data Analysis and Programming in the Biosciences, Research, Professional and Team Skills, Research Seminars in Bioinformatics, Group Project, Project Plan.
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67	Programme Learning Outcomes
68	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
69	1	Construct critical evaluations and summaries of scientific literature that demonstrate a deep understanding of the concepts and approaches at the forefront of Bioinformatics.
70	2	Competently undertake the design and execution of Bioinformatic analyses biological data, and carry out research tasks with autonomy and independence.
71	3	Evaluate state-of-the-art experimental and analytical approaches in Bioinformatics, drawing upon first-hand practical experience working in research laboratories.
72	4	Work with a minimum of guidance and supervision as an individual, team member or leader in collaborative groups, and use their initiative and originality to investigate sustainable and ethical solutions to bioscience problems.
73	5	Critically evaluate and communicate Bioinformatics research and its application in a variety of written and oral and spoken formats.
74	6	Apply their technical expertise, practical experience and other transferable skills to a wide range of working environments including research laboratories, industries and enterprises relating to Bioinformatics.
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76	Diverse entry routes
77	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
78	As a department, Biology is committed to ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can thrive academically and support is embedded within programmes. Our taught masters programmes have small group teaching and are carefully designed to be progressive: laboratory skills are taught under close supervision at the start of the course with independent practice coming at the end. Modules contain multiple formative assessments with feedback along with sessions to specifically support the assessment tasks including writing and presenting workshops. We recognise the diversity of students’ experiences, competencies, skills and knowledge and understand that there are many ways to test and show learning. This means we take an inclusive and varied approach to assessment to allow all students to demonstrate their learning and understanding. Students have regular meetings with their academic supervisor who can signpost support at the Writing Centre and the Maths Skills Centre. We have a community of taught postgraduate students who share some teaching and social activities and a dedicated Director for Students responsible for the student experience.
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87	Inclusion
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89	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.									TRUE
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91	Employability
92	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
93	This course is an essential step into further research or a career in bioinformatics for students with a BSc in the biosciences. Around half of our students will pursue further study, while the other half go into industry. Students will develop skills in: critical thinking; reproducible data analysis visualisation and interpretation; statistics and programming; written, oral and graphical presentation of scientific ideas and data; team work and collaboration.
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100	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]