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Bioinformatics entails the development and application of statistical and algorithmic methods to biological data sets. New technologies are giving us unprecedented insights into the inner workings of living things, and reshaping our views of biodiversity. Driving this revolution are leaps in data-generating technologies such as DNA sequencing and protein structure analysis. While these technologies can transform our understanding of the living world, making sense of them is no trivial task, and we are continuously developing new methods that can be used to analyze ever-increasing data sets in increasingly precise ways.

Bioinformatics research in Computer Science encompasses the development of new algorithms and software, and application of tools to new types of data. Our labs combine trainees with backgrounds in disciplines including Computer Science, Biology, and Statistics, providing valuable cross-training experience and unique collaborative opportunities. We work closely with government agencies such as the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to generate new insights in epidemiology and marine biodiversity from cutting-edge data sets. Our research areas include:

• Algorithms to tackle new DNA-based approaches to biodiversity analysis;
• Modeling and simulation of proteins with key roles in disease;
• "Genomic epidemiology" tools to better track and analyze infectious-disease outbreaks;
• New tools to investigate the structure, diversity, function, and changes in the human microbiome;
• Algorithms that can scale up to tens of thousands of genomes;
• Phylogenetic methods, and application of these methods to large "phylogenomic" data.

We work closely with our Algorithms colleagues to tackle data sets in new and innovative ways.

The program requirements are:

• 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses, mutually agreed upon by the student and the supervisor.
• Master’s thesis (CSCI 9000) 
• Present two research seminars at two different venues.
• The student may also need to audit undergraduate courses to develop necessary background in complementary disciplines such as statistics.

CBBI students may take a maximum of one directed study course as part of their program requirements.

The course requirements allow students to pursue some combination of a directed study course, specialized bioinformatics courses and courses that target the student’s area of specialization within bioinformatics such as Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Biochemistry, or others. The types of venues for research seminars are not prescribed. Seminars can be given internally to the university and/or at external conferences or workshops. 

Courses

There is no prescribed core course content, and the focus is on developing core and complementary skills in the student that reflect their research and career goals. For example, a student with a background in computer science may wish to join the research group of a professor in Biology to apply their skills and knowledge to a particular problem.

Any researcher at Dalhousie who has supervisory privileges and whose research includes bioinformatics can supervise students in the program. Many supervisors are affiliated with the Dalhousie Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG), a network of over 30 researchers across five Faculties at Dalhousie who carry out innovative research in genomics. CBBI students join the research culture of their supervisors’ labs and the wider ICG, and gain access to joint seminars, skill-development sessions, symposia, and other activities.

Program delivery is in person, CBBI students are integrated into the research labs of their follow the expectations of the lab in matters such as participation in lab meetings. Program delivery is monitored and managed by the Director, who reviews and approves course plans, audits, and research seminars. 

CBBI admission requires the following additional background / information:

• The applicant must have past research experience, typically an Honours degree but also potentially fulfilled through research internships or other experiences.
• The applicant must have an identified supervisor who is willing and able to fund them.

A key objective of the CBBI program is to allow students to work with supervisors in a discipline that is different from the prospective student’s degree. Minimum requirements must be met under all circumstances, but it is the responsibility of the prospective supervisor to decide on the student’s suitability. The funding requirement ensures that the supervisor has a significant stake in the student’s success.