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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
Master of Bioinformatics (120 ECTS)
Location
Leuven

Ects + duration
120 ECTS (2 years full-time)
Education
Educational level
What is the Master of Bioinformatics all about? Master’s

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

2nd semester: half of February -> end

Programme
of June (exams in June)

This interdisciplinary two-year programme focuses on acquiring KU Leuven academic calendar

basic background knowledge in diverse disciplines belonging to the field of bioinformatics, including statistics, Applying
molecular biology and computer science Application deadline
expert knowledge in the field of bioinformatics 1 March (for non-EEA citizens)
programming skills 1 June (for EEA citizens)

engineering skills How to apply

www.kuleuven.be/application

Tuition fee 2018-2019

€922.30 for EEA citizens

€6,000 for non-EEA citizens, with

exception for citizens from OECD/DAC
recognized developing countries for
whom the tuition fee is €922.30.

Most recent information on

www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.

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Brochure
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The 120-credit programme consists of a reorientation package (one semester), a common package (two semesters) and a
thesis. Programme website
Faculty of Bioscience Engineering
The Master of Bioinformatics is embedded in a strong bioinformatics research community in KU Leuven, who monthly meet
at the Bioinformatics Interest Group. Bioinformatics research groups are spread over the Arenberg and Gasthuisberg
campus and are located in the research departments of Microbial and Molecular Systems (M2S), Electrical Engineering
(ESAT), Human Genetics, Microbiology and Immunology (REGA), Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Chemistry and
Biology. Several of these bioinformatics research groups are also associated with the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology
(VIB).

International
Are you looking to broaden your horizons? There are ample opportunities to conduct part of your master's thesis research
at various partner institutions abroad. In addition, European residents can undertake their master's thesis research at a
European or other partner university within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme. The Faculty also welcomes
initiatives of students who want to do a work placement in a company or organization abroad, as well as exchange
programmes with partner universities.

More information can be found on the faculty's website.

Application deadline for 2019-2020

1 March 2019 (for non-EEA citizens)

1 June 2019 (for EEA citizens)

KU Leuven uses an online application system. You can download and submit your application form
via www.kuleuven.be/application. Students with a Flemish degree can consult www.kuleuven.be/inschrijven.

Tuition Fee

Thecurrent tuition fee is €922.30 for EEA citizens and €6,000 for non-EEA citizens – with an exception for citizens
from OECD/DAC recognized developing countries for whom the tuition fee is €922.30.

Please consult the website for the most recent information: www.kuleuven.be/tuitionfees.

Master mind

Excellent students who are eligible for a Master Mind Scholarship are invited to submit their application before 1
February 2019.

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

Career perspectives

Career perspectives
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.

At Cartagenia, we work on a daily basis with diagnostic

genetics labs that rely on clinical informatics tools to make
sense of the vast amounts of data resulting from routine
genetic testing. As one of the scientific founders, I have
witnessed from the onset how important it is to translate
complex bioinformatics methods into everyday tools that
work in the hands of laboratory technicians, directors, and
clinical geneticists. The MSc in Bioinformatics at Leuven
has been essential to learning and speaking the language
of “both sides” – translating the challenges on both the
biomedical and clinical sides into statistical and informatics
tools, and building tools that solve them.

(A Belgian graduate with a background in computer

science, cofounder and Marketing Director of Cartagenia,
a spin-off of KU Leuven)

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

General
Study Advice Service
Naamsestraat 80 box 5415
3000 LEUVEN, Belgium
To contact us, please complete the contact form on our website.

Visit the faculty website.

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.
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Master of Engineering: Logistics and Traffic (Leuven)

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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