Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences - Computational Biology
Department of Academic Affairs
Why study Computational Biology at UMB? • You will learn how complex biological systems can be studied, modelled and understood using mathematical methods and techniques from physics and computer science. • You will learn how these subjects help find solutions to some of the major medical and environmental issues of our time. • You want a modern Master of Science-degree. • You want an education that enables you to contribute towards a sustainable future for our planet.
Photo: Håkon Sparre
What can you do afterwards? You’ll be qualified for positions in industry, research, consulting firms, public services and many other workplaces. Some students enroll in a PhD-programme or choose a career as a high-school teacher.
Contents of the programme: One of the most rapidly growing research fields today is the modelling of life processes in plants, animals, humans and ecosystems using methods from mathematically oriented sciences such as mathematics, physics, computer science and statistics. In this programme you learn how such models are constructed and used to improve the interpretation of experimental data.
The topics you can choose for your thesis originate from active experimental and theoretical research activities at UMB, for example:
(1) how molecules carrying our genetic information cooperate within cells to give an organism its specific characteristics,
(2) how single cells function and how groups of cells cooperate,
(3) how complex natural patterns such as the tree structure of roots and sedimentation processes are generated and influenced by the environment, and
(4) how thousands of millions of nerve cells can cooperate to make us think.
The methods you will use include a wide variety of mathematical techniques such as:
(1) detailed mathematic analysis of simplified models,
(2) statistical modelling based on experimental data,
(3) computer intensive simulations of extensive and biologically realistic models and
(4) algorithmic modelling based on modern statistical physics.
The students will interact with PhD-students and researchers in computational biology and will be informally affiliated with the Research School in Systems Biology
Requirements: • Candidates should have academic qualifications at the B.Sc. level, totalling 180 credit points. Your B.Sc. must include at least 80 credit points in one of the following subjects: mathematics, physics, computer science or statistics. Generally however, 50 additional credit points within these four subjects are required.
• Your major at the B.Sc. level can, in some cases, limit your choice of specialization in your Master programme.
Programme structure: You will complete courses corresponding to 60 credit points within the subjects of your specialization. These courses prepare you for your thesis which you will work on during the last year of the programme.
Up to date computer software and information technology will be used throughout the programme.
For further information • Application and general questions about studies at UMB: Student Information Office, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway, phone: +47 66 59 61 00, e-mail: opptak@umb.no • More information about content of the study: Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology Student counsellor Rune Grønnevik Ph. + 47 64 96 54 09
