Bioinformatics and Systems Biology is a joint degree programme from VU Amsterdam and the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Courses are taught at both universities. VU and UvA jointly issue a degree to graduates. As a Bioinformatics and Systems Biology student in Amsterdam, you benefit from the expertise, networks and research projects at both universities and affiliated research institutes.
The programme guarantees that, upon successful completion of the study, you can communicate effectively with your colleagues, irrespective of your focus on experimental or computational disciplines. You will get a basic introduction to molecular cell biology, biomathematics, biostatistics and programming.
During the Master's programme, you can choose between two specialisations, Bioinformatics or Systems Biology, or choose both.
Bioinformatics deals with large-scale data analysis, like DNA-sequencing experiments. Programming, algorithms and machine learning are important elements. Bioinformatics is extensively used within the field of biomedicine, but also in many other areas of molecular biology.
Systems Biology encompasses modelling large biological networks, in combination with experiments to probe the system. Mathematical modelling, structured large-scale experiments and statistical analysis are important elements in the specialisation. Systems Biology is extensively used in bioengineering and biomedicine.
Excellent international reputation
The programme has an excellent international reputation. Research groups with extensive experience in a broad range of experimental and theoretical research lead the programme.
Integrated programme
The programme truly integrates a Bioinformatics and Systems Biology perspective. Your compulsory courses will tackle research problems within both fields. You may opt to take elective courses with an in-depth focus on a single discipline, such as molecular biology or machine learning.
You will study current issues, challenges and opportunities in both topics. There are ample opportunities for interesting and challenging internships, in hospitals (such as in oncology and clinical genetics), at biotech companies, at seed breeding companies, in the pharmaceutical industry, in data science and, of course, at bioinformatics and systems biology groups at universities.
Supervision
You will be assigned a mentor who will support you during the entire programme. Moreover, one of the staff members will supervise your practical coursework and internships.
