Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity

Do you want to know how you can discover novel genes that cause a particular disease? How you can understand the origin and functioning of complex life on Earth? Or how you can explore ecological or mechanistic models, and what can we learn from these about dynamics of ecosystems or of cells, tissues, and organisms?

Harnessing the power of data and models to study life

The Master’s programme Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity offers a unique combination between biology, computer sciences and data sciences. The programme aims to foster collaboration between these fields, so that you gain a deep understanding of biological concepts, but also gain proficiency in computational techniques. 

Life is one of the most complex and dynamic systems to study as it encompasses a multitude of interacting levels. Shaped by evolution, these scale from atoms to the essential molecules, genes and proteins up to the interactions between cells, tissues, organisms and between organisms and their environment.

Bringing two disciplines together

The programme consists of two components: Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity. Bioinformatics is used to analyse the multitude of biological 'big data' that originate from observations and experiments investigating living matter. Biocomplexity is focused on developing mathematical and computational models to simulate these processes and thereby unravel the building blocks and interactions responsible for the observed dynamic behaviour. By bringing these disciplines together, we can analyse one of the most complex systems: life.  

In this programme, you will dive into bioinformatic data analysis, modelling and simulating biocomplexity. In two years, you will learn the theoretical basis and fundamental techniques relevant for bioinformatics and/or biocomplexity. Additionally, you will learn to apply, modify and redevelop these methods to answer complex biological research questions. We will use state of the art research directly driven from our vibrant community as the basis for our lectures, assignments and internships.

The programme also involves significant amount of computer science and data analysis in general. So, the study is more than just bioinformatics, it is also about a general way of using computational tools to analyse data effectively.

Variety of internships and projects

We work together with other faculties of the university and research institutes such as the Hubrecht Institute, University Medical Centre Utrecht and the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. This way we can offer a wide variety of internships and projects. 

Why in Utrecht

• The Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity programme is well embedded in the Utrecht research community through the Utrecht Bioinformatics Centre . The Master’s programme makes use of this well-established community for its internships, teaching and projects. The researchers in our community work on cutting edge research questions and have already won many prizes and grants.   
• Freedom to design your own programme, by choosing the track, research project and electives that best fit your interests. You also select one out of 9 thematic profiles which are designed to equip you with skills for your future career in a direction that appeals you most. 
• This Master's is part of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS). The GSLS brings together the research expertise and facilities of the faculties of Science, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, in cooperation with UMC Utrecht - offering you an interdisciplinary approach.