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? How can you develop or apply computational algorithms to answer these questions by harnessing the wealth of biological big data?

Harnessing the power of data and models to study life

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 molecules to cells, tissues, organisms and ecosystems spanning the nanometer to kilometer as well as the millesecond to million year ranges.

The Master’s programme Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity offers a unique combination between biology, computer sciences, data sciences and computational and mathematical modeling. The programme aims to integrate these fields, allowing you to obtain proficiency in data analysis and simulation techniques and teaching you how to apply these to deepen our understanding of complex biological systems. 

The right choice for you?

This is the ideal Master’s programme if you are keen on using and further developing your bioinformatics, mathematics and programming skills to decipher the evolution and inner workings of biological systems

Bringing two disciplines together

The Master’s 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 offer you the opportunity to learn two highly powerful and complementary approaches to study the most complex system on our planet: 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 for both disciplines. 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.

Why in Utrecht

• The Bioinformatics and Biocomplexity programme is well embedded in the Utrecht research community through the Utrecht Bioinformatics Centre as well as the Utrecht Centre for Complex Systems Studies. The Master’s programme makes use of this well-established community for its internships, teaching and projects. Additionally, we work together with other faculties of the university such as veterinary sciences,  and research institutes such as the Hubrecht Institute, University Medical Centre Utrecht and the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology.  
• The programme welcomes both biology students with a training in bioinformatics and/or modeling as well as physics, applied mathematics, and computer science students with a fascination and motivation for the living world. 
• 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.