The Master of Science (MSc) programme enables you to pursue advanced study in your area of interest with the opportunity to work on independent research. Programme overview Studying for an MSc is an opportunity for committed scientists to focus on a relevant area of interest or practise and pursue an advanced qualification. While taught masters will provide you with specialist training in your chosen field, a research masters will develop advanced research skills, working alongside Faculty of Science researchers - many of whom are major contributors in their field. 120-point MSc Most students enter an MSc following completion of a PGDipSci. You will need to complete 120 points (maximum of 160 points) in a specialisation within one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study (research masters) or four years of part-time study (taught masters). Not all specialisations offer both taught and research options. 240-point MSc If you enter a MSc directly from an undergraduate degree you will need to complete 240 points (maximum of 280 points) in a specialisation in two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study (research masters) or six years of part-time study (taught masters). Not all specialisations offer both taught and research options. Bioinformatics involves the development and application of computational methods in biology, biotechnology and medicine, taking advantage of rapidly expanding databases including those related to biodiversity, genomics, proteomics and structural biology. The programme draws mainly on existing courses in biology, mathematics and computer science. The rationale to develop a comprehensive degree programme in bioinformatics stems from a rapidly changing philosophy of how modern biological and biomedical research is conducted. The global availability of genome sequence information for human, animal, plant and micro-organism systems has led to the development of these new technologies. Scientists require the combined skills of molecular biology and computer science to exploit these data for the various applications. As these disciplines have traditionally been taught separately, there is now a severe world-wide shortage of people with these combined skills, and demand is expected to grow strongly throughout the next several decades as the new technologies are further developed. Programme structure Research Masters 120 points: BIOINF 796 MSc thesis in Bioinformatics Taught Masters 120 points from BIOINF 701–704, BIOSCI 733, 737, 752, 755–758, COMPSCI 715, 720, 732, 760, 767, MATHS 764, STATS 720, 721, 730, 731, 732, 761, 783, 784, or related 700 level courses as approved by the Programme Director. Career opportunities Bioinformaticists find employment in public institutions and in the private sector. Further study options Doctor of Philosophy