University of Ottawa

Overview

The Computer Science – Bioinformatics program at the University of Ottawa is a Master of Computer Science (MCS) that integrates advanced computing techniques with biological and biomedical data. This interdisciplinary program is designed to foster collaboration across various fields, enabling students to engage in research and study in critical areas such as genomics, proteomics, and systems biology.

What you'll study

Typical components

• Graduate coursework, including core and elective options
• Seminar participation
• Research thesis, developed under the guidance of a faculty supervisor

Example course themes (availability may vary)

• Bioinformatics
• Data integration and knowledge representation
• Advanced data structures and algorithm analysis
• Machine learning for scientific data
• Software quality engineering and research software practices
• Security and cryptography relevant to computing research
• Natural language processing for scientific and biomedical texts

Thesis

• Conducted under the supervision of an approved faculty member
• Involves research planning, thesis writing, and an academic presentation component

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with honours in computer science or a related field. A minimum average of B (70%) is typically required for admission.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Computer Science – Bioinformatics program are well-equipped to pursue careers in various sectors, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. They can work in roles such as bioinformatics analysts, data scientists, or researchers, contributing to advancements in personalized medicine, genomic research, and computational biology.