Programme description

This programme offers interdisciplinary knowledge of bioinformatics. Courses are jointly managed by the University of Tampere and University of Turku, and they take advantage of modern educational technology. Students do not need to shuttle between two universities; either teachers travel, or the courses are transmitted by video and other means by the Internet. Education is given in English, and the students learn to work together with associates from different countries and scientific backgrounds. When finishing their MSc degree in bioinformatics, students will be "bilingual" in terms of combined expertise on information technology and biosciences, and therefore, applicants can have a background either biological or method sciences (computer science, mathematics, statistics). See Requirements and Required skills below for more details.

Starting from BSc level, the students are expected to complete their MSc in two years. Teaching starts in August/September every year.

Required skills

We assume a knowledge of high school mathematics (including logarithms, calculus, probability calculations and analytical geometry) and basic chemistry (including basic organic chemistry) and university-level knowledge either in biochemistry and molecular biology or computer science. We will organize initial level examinations in these topics to determine the need of courses to be taken by each student. Up to 9 credits of such elementary courses can be included in the minimal 120-credit degree, but anything above that will be required as complementing studies.

Complementing studies

Complementing studies, which are taken in addition to the minimum of 120 credits in the degree, may be required depending on the extent of student's relevant previous studies. Some complementing studies may be assigned by initial level tests, or in case of students with a degree from a polytechnic or other non-university institute, they will be assigned individually when making the personal study plans.

Funding

There are no tuition fees in the programme, but the costs of living have to be taken by the students themselves. We have no grants available to support our students. For students who come from outside the European Union, one of the requirements for obtaining a permit of residence is a deposit of approximately 6000 € per year (level in 2011) in a Finnish bank, which can be used for living after you have arrived in Finland.

How to apply