The University of Toledo

REQUIREMENTS:
                    CERTIFICATE IN BIOINFORMATICS & BIOMARKERS                  

  

The Bioinformatics and Biomarkers Certificate Program introduces students to the newly evolving fields of bioinformatics, proteomics and genomics, and provides a core knowledge of analytical approaches used in these fields.  The curriculum is designed to complement coursework and research of students enrolled in the University of Toledo Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences Program, but also is open to other qualified students.  The Program is a joint effort of the University of Toledo Main and Health Science Campuses and Bowling Green State University.  

Students enrolled in the Bioinformatics and Biomarkers Certificate Program must take four courses covering the following subject areas:

1)  Introduction to the scope of bioinformatics, proteomics and genomics: "BIPG5100/7100 "Fundamentals of BPG"
2) Training in statistical methods used in BPG: BIPG5200/7200"Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics"
3)  Handling and manipulation of databases and introduction to computer programming skills needed to manipulate large quantities of nucleic acid  and protein sequence data: BIPG6100/7100 "Introduction to Bioinformatic Computation"
4) EITHER: BIPG6400/8400 Applications of BPG, in which faculty members using these methodologies will discuss and demonstrate how these techniques are utilized to solve research problems:
    OR: BRIM6200/8200 "Biomarker Discovery, Validation and Implementation", in which faculty provide an overview of biomedical discovery and validation techniques followed by application in selected aspects of individualized medicine.

Upon completion of the Program, students will be prepared to utilize BPG research techniques and be able to interact with specialists in each BPG subdiscipline.

Curriculum
The curriculum consists of four, 3-credit courses (listed below). If you are in a doctoral program, the second (higher) course number is the one for which you should register.

Course No.                       Course Title & Credits

Fall Year 1
BIPG5100/7100                Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics, 3 cr

BIPG5200/7200                Statistical Methods in Bioinformatics, 3 cr

Spring Year 1
BIPG6100/8100                Introduction to Bioinformatic Computation, 3 cr

EITHER:  BIPG6400/8400              Application of Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics, 3 cr    
OR:         BRIM6200/8200              Biomarker Discovery, Validation & Implementation, 3cr

*BMSP6340 Current Problems & Research Approaches in Genes and Genomes, or equivalent course approved by the BPG Program, is required for admission into the BPG Certificate Program.

NOTE:  Currently enrolled UT Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences or MSBS students may take individual BPG courses as electives, with permission of the instructor.  To receive a Certificate in Bioinformatics, an online application must be submitted (please see link at bottom of page). 

Applying to the Bioinformatics and Biomarkers Certificate Program:
Applicants must submit the following after applying online (link below will take you directly to the Graduate School application site)

1) Official transcripts
2) Statement of purpose
3) Three letters of recommendation are optional, but, in the event that a student decides to pursue the BPG MSBS
    degree, it will save time to have the letters of recommendation already on file.

All applications will be reviewed by the BPG Program Admissions Committee.

To receive a Certificate in Bioinformatics and Biomarkers, application must be submitted online at the following link:
http://apply.utoledo.edu

Electronic, online application must be filed ONLY for those seeking a Certificate.  If a student takes all four courses, and does not formally apply online, they will NOT receive a Certificate.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OBJECTIVES (EPO's) for Certificate Program

A BPG Graduate Student Will Be Knowledgeable
In the course of their educational program, students are provided the opportunity to gain knowledge through instruction by content experts and by supervised participation in research projects.  Knowledge will be assessed by the student’s ability to define, describe, and explain facts and concepts, as well as at higher levels of cognition that will be measured by the ability to apply, analyze, and integrate content.

Before graduation, a student will have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the faculty:

K1.  Knowledge of molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms involved in regulation of cellular processes and development.

K2.  Knowledge of fundamental systems biology technologies, such as proteomics, genomics and transcriptomics.

K3.  Knowledge of algorithmic and statistical methods for analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequences, such as hidden Markov models and Bayesian statistics.

K4.  Knowledge of at least one modern computer programming language, such as PERL.

K5.  Knowledge of database design and management.

A BPG Graduate Will Be Skilled
The BPG curriculum provides a training environment in which research and teaching skills are learned in concert
with the correlated knowledge.  Students have the opportunity to gain these skills under the supervision of a faculty
mentors with the advice and guidance of the student advisory committee, through direct contact with content and/or
technical experts, and through direct participation in research projects. 

Before graduation, a student will have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the faculty:

S1.  The ability to perform procedures necessary for the completion of the student’s thesis (M.S.) research project(s).

S2.  The ability to assess statistical and biological significance of bioinformatic results and patterns.

S3.  The ability to perform research productively as an individual or member of a research team.

S4.  The ability to use electronic databases via automated scripting.

S5.  The ability to retrieve biomedical information for solving problems that are relevant to the appropriate completion of a research project, and accurate reporting of the results.

A BPG Graduate Will Be Professional
The University of Toledo College of Medicine and the Biomedical Sciences Program recognize the importance of role-modeling and directly training the professional conduct and character of its students.  The institution and the BPG Track devote curricular and extracurricular time to the development of ethical standards humanistic and professional behaviors by its students. 

Before graduation, students will have met the following institutional and program standards:

P1.  Respect for, and adherence to, all laws & regulations governing ethical use of computers and remote computational facilities.

P2.  Respect for, and adherence to, the principles and legal responsibilities that govern responsible conduct of research.