Master of Science Program

Program Overview

The M.Sc. program in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology provides comprehensive training for students seeking to apply computational methods to biological research. The program prepares graduates for careers in research, industry, and advanced studies.

Program Duration

• Full-time: 2 years
• Part-time: Up to 3 years

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits:

Plan A (Thesis Track) - 36 credits

• Coursework: 24 credits minimum
  • Core courses: 12 credits
  • Elective courses: 12 credits
• Thesis: 12 credits
  • Independent research project
  • Written thesis
  • Oral defense

Plan B (Non-Thesis Track) - 36 credits

• Coursework: 33 credits minimum
  • Core courses: 12 credits
  • Elective courses: 21 credits
• Independent Study: 3 credits
  • Research project report
  • Presentation

Core Courses (12 credits)

Required Courses

1. Fundamentals of Bioinformatics (3 credits)

   • Introduction to biological databases
   • Sequence analysis basics
   • Common bioinformatics tools

2. Computational Biology (3 credits)

   • Algorithm design for biological problems
   • Computational approaches to genomics
   • Protein structure analysis

3. Statistics for Bioinformatics (3 credits)

   • Statistical methods in biology
   • Data analysis and visualization
   • R programming for statistics

4. Programming for Bioinformatics (3 credits)

   • Python/Perl programming
   • Scripting for data processing
   • Workflow design and automation

Elective Courses

Students can choose from various specialized courses:

Genomics Track

• Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis
• Comparative Genomics
• Transcriptomics and RNA-seq Analysis
• Epigenomics and Chromatin Analysis

Structural Biology Track

• Protein Structure Prediction
• Molecular Modeling and Simulation
• Drug Design and Virtual Screening
• Structural Bioinformatics

Systems Biology Track

• Network Biology
• Mathematical Modeling in Biology
• Pathway Analysis
• Metabolic Engineering

Data Science Track

• Machine Learning in Biology
• Deep Learning for Genomics
• Data Mining in Life Sciences
• Biomedical Data Integration

Admission Requirements

Academic Background

• Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Biological sciences
  • Computer science
  • Mathematics
  • Related fields
• Minimum GPA: 2.75 (out of 4.0)

Prerequisites

Students from non-biology backgrounds may need to take:

• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology
• Genetics

Students from non-computing backgrounds may need to take:

• Introduction to Programming
• Data Structures and Algorithms

Application Materials

• Completed application form
• Official transcripts
• Letters of recommendation (2-3)
• Statement of purpose
• English proficiency test scores
• CV/Resume

Career Opportunities

M.Sc. graduates pursue careers in:

Research & Academia

• Research assistant in universities
• Laboratory bioinformatician
• Research associate in institutes
• Ph.D. studies

Industry

• Bioinformatics analyst in pharmaceutical companies
• Computational biologist in biotech firms
• Data scientist in healthcare
• Genomics analyst in diagnostic labs
• Software developer in life sciences companies

Healthcare

• Clinical bioinformatician
• Genomic counselor support
• Personalized medicine analyst
• Medical informatics specialist

Program Highlights

Well-Balanced Curriculum

Designed to accommodate students from both biology and computer science backgrounds, ensuring all graduates have comprehensive skills.

Hands-on Training

• Practical lab sessions
• Real-world datasets
• Industry collaborations
• Internship opportunities

Flexible Specialization

Students can tailor their elective courses to match their career goals and research interests.

Research Opportunities

Access to:

• Omics Science and Bioinformatics Center
• Collaborative research projects
• International research networks
• Modern computational facilities

Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

1. Technical Skills

   • Apply computational methods to biological problems
   • Analyze large-scale omics data
   • Develop bioinformatics software and pipelines
   • Use statistical methods for data analysis

2. Research Skills

   • Design and conduct independent research
   • Critically evaluate scientific literature
   • Present research findings effectively
   • Write scientific papers

3. Professional Skills

   • Work effectively in interdisciplinary teams
   • Communicate with both biologists and computer scientists
   • Manage projects and meet deadlines
   • Stay current with field developments

Thesis Requirements (Plan A)

Research Proposal

• Submit within first year
• Approved by thesis committee
• Clear objectives and methodology

Thesis Committee

• Advisor (main supervisor)
• Co-advisor (if applicable)
• Internal examiner
• External examiner

Thesis Defense

• Written thesis submission
• Public presentation (30-40 minutes)
• Question and answer session
• Final evaluation by committee

Contact Information

Program Coordinator Email: bioinfo@chula.ac.th Phone: +66 (2) 218-7672

Office Hours Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330, Thailand