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First term
Second term
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Prerequisites
Identical coursesMaster's Thesis Bioscience Engineering (B-KUL-I0Q79A)
English
Both terms
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contractCannot be taken as part of a credit contract
Jelier Rob (coordinator) | N. Aims
For the master's thesis, student apply methodologies and theoretical knowledge they gained in their studies on a complex bioinformatics problem. At the end of the master's thesis, the student:
1. Can analyse the posed problem and understand the societal and/or economical context;
2. Is able to design a novel solution applying concepts from multiple disciplines in an innovative way;
3. Is able to practically implement the solution and solve technical implementation problems;
4. Is able to analyse the results and synthesise them in a concise way;
5. Can summarise and scientifically discuss the approach and results in a final thesis manuscript;
6. Can correctly reference scientific literature and show correct scientific behavior and a positive attitude towards reflection, alertness and awareness of responsible conduct.
Previous knowledge
Students are aware of both the biological and methodological aspects underlying bioinformatics research.
Prerequisites:
- Teamwork “crossroad exploration for bioinformatics”
- Bayesian modelling for biological data analysis
- Bioinformatics: high-throughput analysis
- Bioinformatics: structural and comparative genomics
- Bioinformatics: evolutionary and quantitative genetics
- Biological databases
Order of Enrolment
You can only take this course if you have to acquire no more than 72 credits to obtain your degree.
Is included in these courses of study
- Master of Bioinformatics (Leuven) (Bioscience Engineering) 120 ects.
Activities
30 ects. Master's Thesis Bioscience Engineering (B-KUL-I0Q79a)
EnglishFormat: Master's thesisBoth termsN. Content
Depending on the lab where the master's thesis research project will be performed, the main focus will be on either development of a novel bioinformatics methodology; or development of a software tool/ database/ environment that serves bioinformatics purposes. The work can include application of the developed methodologies to solve a biological or biomedical research question.
Each thesis requires a concise redaction of the thesis and a public defense.
Students write a research plan in the start phase of the thesis. This research plan is written in consultation with the promotor/daily supervisor and includes i) the research goal, ii) the research plan; which literature will be reviewed, the data that is available and/or will be collected, the methodology and the data processing, what training will be necessary and how guidance is organised iii) the time scheme; brief overview of deadlines and timelines.
Students attend lectures on scientific integrity.
Students give a mid-term presentation.
The thesis describes the societal and/or economical context of the problem.
The student designs a novel solution for a complex problem. The problem that is analysed requires the creative use of theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired in other courses, and the capacity to independently find information from the scientific literature and apply this to find a solution.
At least one of the promotors is a faculty member (ZAP) of the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Master's Thesis Bioscience Engineering (B-KUL-I2Q79a)
Explanation
A jury evaluates if the aims have been accomplished. The jury consists of one or two promotor(s), one or two daily supervisor(s) and a minimum of two assessors of which one does not belong to the same research unit as the promotor. Evaluation is based on three aspects:
1) The daily efforts of the students during the thesis, appreciation for enthousiasm, involvement in the thesis project, intellectual independence, research qualities, the students' ability to solve problems and develop novel solutions.
2) the written thesis report.
3) the public defense of the project.
Attendance of lectures on scientific integrity is mandatory.
The research plan and mid-term presentation have to be uploaded through Toledo as part of the ePortfolio.