Bioinformatics

Biology has become heavily driven by data, and this master's teaches you to handle and interpret large biological datasets so that findings can be repeated and trusted. It joins laboratory science with computing and applies to fields including genetics, ecology, neuroscience and biomedicine. Your starting point is knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology, to which you add practical skills in the Python and R languages, statistics and computational biology. Project work emphasises combining datasets, analysing them and presenting results visually, using an organised, computer-based way of tackling biological questions. The North East is home to a strong life science sector, so graduates can pursue research posts, health data analysis and biotechnology careers. Some continue to doctoral research in computational biology. Study is available full-time or part-time.