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Master of Bioinformatics (Leuven)

Master of Science
Molecular biology is in the midst of a technological revolution. 60 years ago, scientists elucidated the
structure of DNA. 15 years ago, they successfully sequenced the human genome after a massive
international effort. Today, we can sequence a human genome for €1,000 – and generate terabytes of data in
the process. The impact on most areas of biology, ecology, biotechnology, genetics, pharmacy, or medicine
is staggering.
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Key information
Location
Master of Bioinformatics (120 ECTS) Leuven

Ects + duration
120 ECTS (2 years full-time)

Educational level
Education Master’s

Academic calendar
What is the programme all about? 1st semester: end of September -> end
Bioinformaticians are distinguished by their ability to formulate biologically relevant questions, design and implement the of January (exams in January)
appropriate solution by managing and analysing high-throughput molecular biological and sequence data, and interpret
2nd semester: half of February -> end
the obtained results.
of June (exams in June)

Structure KU Leuven academic calendar

Applying
This interdisciplinary two-year programme focuses on acquiring
Application deadline
basic background knowledge in diverse disciplines belonging to the field of bioinformatics, including statistics, 1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
molecular biology and computer science 1 June (for EEA citizens)
expert knowledge in the field of bioinformatics How to apply
programming skills www.kuleuven.be/application
engineering skills
Tuition fee 2019-2020
The 120-credit programme consists of a reorientation package (one semester), a common package (two semesters) and a €938.80 for EEA citizens
thesis.
€6,000 for non-EEA citizens, with
The Master of Bioinformatics is embedded in a strong bioinformatics research community in KU Leuven, who monthly meet exception for citizens from OECD/DAC
at the Bioinformatics Interest Group. Bioinformatics research groups are spread over the Arenberg and Gasthuisberg recognized developing countries (two
campus and are located in the research departments of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Electrical Engineering first/left columns) for whom the tuition
(ESAT), Human Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology (REGA), Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Chemistry and fee is €938.80.
Biology. Several of these bioinformatics research groups are also associated with the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology
(VIB). Most recent information on
www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.
Application deadline for 2020-2021
Chat with our students
1 March 2020 (for non-EEA citizens) Student Ambassadors
1 June 2020 (for EEA citizens)

KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can download and submit your application form Open days
via www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven. Meet us in Belgium
Meet us abroad
Tuition Fee 2019-2020
Brochure
Thecurrent tuition fee is €938.80 for EEA citizens and €6,000 for non-EEA citizens – with an exception for citizens Download the brochure
from OECD/DAC recognized developing countries (two first/left colums) for whom the tuition fee is €938.80. Request the brochure
Please consult the website for the most recent information: www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.
Programme website
Master Mind Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1
February 2020.

Profile

Is this the right programme for me?

Are you a biochemist or molecular biologist with a keen interest in mathematics and programming? Are you a
mathematician or statistician and want to apply your knowledge to complex biological questions? Do you want to develop
new methods that can be used by doctors, biologists and biotechnology engineers? Then this is the right program for you!

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Master of Bioinformatics

Objectives

Learning outcomes Master of Bioinformatics

The student
1 Possesses a broad knowledge of the principles of genetics, biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology that
underlie the model systems, the experimental techniques, and the generation of data that are analyzed and modeled in
bioinformatics.

2 Possesses a broad knowledge of the basic mathematical disciplines (linear algebra, calculus, dynamical systems) that
underlie mathematical and statistical modeling in bioinformatics.

3 Masters the concepts and techniques from information technology (database management, structured and object-
oriented programming, semantic web technology) for the management and analysis of large amounts of complex and
distributed biological and biomedical data.

4 Masters the concepts and techniques from machine learning and frequentist and Bayesian statistics that are used to
analyze and model complex omics data.

5 Has acquired knowledge of the core methods of computational biology (such as sequence analysis, phylogenetic
analysis, quantitative genetics, protein modeling, array analysis).

6 Has advanced interdisciplinary skills to communicate with experts in life sciences, applied mathematics, statistics, and
computer science to formalize complex biological problems into appropriate data management and data analysis
strategies.

7 Can - in collaboration with these experts - design complex omics experiments and analyze them independently.

8 Can independently collect and manage data from specialized literature and public databases and critically analyze and
interpret this data to solve complex research questions, as well as develop tools to support these processes.

9 Investigates and understands interaction with other relevant science domains and integrate them within the context of
more advanced ideas and practical applications and problem solving.

10 Demonstrates critical consideration of and reflection on known and new theories, models or interpretation within the
specialty; and can efficiently adapt to the rapid evolution the life sciences, and especially in omics techniques, by quickly
learning or developing new analysis strategies and incorporating them into the learned competences.

11 Presents personal research, thoughts, ideas, and opinions of proposals within professional activities in a suitable way,
both written and orally, to peers and to a general public.

12 Develop and execute original scientific research and/or apply innovative ideas within research units.

13 Understands ethical, social and scientific integrity issues and responsibilities and is able to analyze the local and global
impact of bioinformatics and genomics on individuals, organizations and society.

Major Engineering
14 Has a broad theoretical knowledge of methodology in computer science and can apply this knowledge to design,
implement and evaluate a computer-based system, process, component or programme to solve technical bioinformatics
problems.

Major Bioscience Engineering

15 Has specialized knowledge of complex biosystems and can apply this knowledge to design, implement and evaluate
novel methodologies to solve technical problems in an environment where bioinformatics is used.

Major Engineering and Bioscience Engineering

16 Has advanced skills in data analysis methodologies and can apply these skills to integrate data from multiple
disciplines to solve bioinformatics problems in scientific, clinical or biotechnological environments.

Career perspectives

Career opportunities
Bioinformaticians find careers in the life sciences domain in the broadest sense: industry, the academic world, health care,
etc. The expanding need for bioinformatics in biological and medical research ensures a large variety of job opportunities
in fundamental and applied research. 60% of our graduates start a PhD after graduation.

Start your career, during your studies

During your bachelor's and master's programme you can already shape your own profile by choosing a certain
specialisation, studying abroad (Erasmus), doing a work placement, or starting your own business.
 The Student Career Centre is happy to put you on the right track towards your first work experience. The centre also
coaches you in the search for an interesting job and helps you with job interviews. For students wanting to start their own
business KU Leuven also has Lcie, the KU Leuven community that encourages students with innovative and
entrepreneurial ideas.

Don’t know where to start? The Student Career Centre's databases contain offers for jobs, volunteer work, innovation
projects and student jobs. You can also visit one of the events organised by the Career Centre.

Contact

Faculty of Bioscience Engineering

Kasteelpark Arenberg 20
3001 LEUVEN, Belgium
tel. + 32 16 37 77 12 or + 32 16 37 91 33
studietraject.biw@kuleuven.be

Questions about student life in Belgium and life at KU Leuven? Ask our students.

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Admission requirements

Master of Bioinformatics (Leuven)

In the context of the wellbeing law certain data must be stored for each student and they must be informed timely on the
subject of:

the risks to which the student is exposed during the study programme (practicals, traineeships, master's theses,…)
the associated preventive measures for each risk, such as medical follow-up, personal protective equipment and
instructions.
The risks and preventive measures are collected in the HSE-file for students. Through this link you can consult the HSE-
file. The HSE-file will be used for traineeships and/or master’s theses. For more information about traineeships, we refer to
the following site: traineeship.. For questions, please contact the HSE Department.

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