Researchers in Bioinformatics develop algorithms and software for simulations of biological processes and the analysis of biomedical data. For example, the publication of the human genome sequence in February 2001 is considered to be a milestone of scientific research. This is reflected in the reaction of the media and the public. Bioinformatics tools were quintessential for this achievement. Still bigger challenges lie ahead of us where genes must be identified and their function determined. An understanding of the interplay of the gene products will be the basis for the development of future pharmaceutical treatments. These tasks exceed the mere assembly of the DNA-sequence by far. Bioinformatics provides important contributions to tackle these challenges.

Bioinformaticians find their jobs at academic institutions, in bioinformatics and biotech & pharmaceutical companies. Their tasks are exciting and diverse: many unsolved problems offer new challenges again and again. Bioinformaticians make critical contributions to the development of new drugs and therapies. Interdisciplinarity - linking life science and computer science - is what makes studying bioinformatics an exciting experience. Even if a graduate should loose interest in bioinformatics, due to the solid training in informatics he or she will have the same excellent job perspectives as a "pure" computer scientist.

The following exemplary plan of study contains further information on the teaching courses as well as recommendations for a well-planned study course. In addition to the weekly teaching hours ("SWS"), the points to be gained according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) are listed. An exemplary course reads as follows: (V=Lecture, ü=Quiz, P = Lab Work, S= Seminar, LP-ECTS Credit Points). Following the abbreviation are the weekly hours (SWS) and the points. (Text only available in German.)

Semester 1 (30 LP):
Data structures and algorithms, V4 Ü2, 9 LP
Special lecture bioinformatics 1, V2 Ü1, 5 LP
Special lecture bioinformatics 2, V2 Ü1, 5 LP
Seminar about a topic in bioinformatics, S3, 8 LP
The human genome, V2, 3 LP

Semester 2 (30 LP):
Data base systems, V4 Ü2, 9 LP
Special lecture bioinformatics 3, V2 Ü1, 5 LP
Metabolic engineering, V2 Ü2, 6 LP
Biophysics and structural biology, V2, 3 LP
Protein technique, V2, 3 LP
Teaching assistant (tutor) in undergraduate lecture bioinformatics, 4 LP

Semester 3 (30 LP):
Special lecture bioinformatics 4, V2 Ü1, 5 LP
Special lecture bioinformatics 5, V2 Ü1, 5 LP
Advanced practical in biotechnology (4 weeks) P3, 8 LP
Master seminar, S1 P3, 12 LP

Semester 4 (30 LP):
Master thesis, 30 LP

Course Information:
http://www.zbi.uni-saarland.de/cbi/mainstud.shtml

The requirements for the Bioinformatics Master programme in Saarbrücken are:

• B.Sc. degree in a subject relevant to bioinformatics
• a good command of written and spoken English
• Your university education should be "equivalent" to the B.Sc. degree with Computa-tional Molecular Biology profile at Saarland University. Our emphasis is on methods development in bioinformatics. Therefore we require a dual education in Math/Computer Science and life sciences as entrance qualifications.

Application deadline is July 15 of each year
Please check the information site of the Centre for Bioinformatics before applying.
Further Information about application documents, deadlines and forms:

http://zbi-www.bioinf.uni-sb.de/teaching/application

Pia Scherer-Geiß
Campus Saarbrücken,
Building E1 1
Center for Bioinformatics
E-Mail: psg(at)bioinf.uni-sb.de

Telephone: +49 (0)681 / 302 64705 (from Campus: 64705)
Telefax:     +49 (0)681 / 302 64719 (from Campus: 64719)

Additional information:
Centre for Bioinformatics http://zbi-www.bioinf.uni-sb.de/