Catalog Description:  The course considers introductory topics in bioinformatics. Topics include the structure of DNA, string representation in PERL, data searches, pairwise alignments, substitution patterns, protein structure prediction and modeling, proteomics and the use of web-based tools for topics in bioinformatics. Prerequisite: BIOL 111.  One semester, one credit.

Text:    Introduction to Bioinformatics, 2nd ed., A. Lesk, Oxford, 2005

Prerequisites by Topic:  You should have fundamental skills in biology and in the use of a web browser.

Goals:
The goals are to learn to use web-based tools for the retrieval and analysis of biological information. In particular you will learn to retrieve useful information from databases in molecular biology and to analyze relationships among biological sequences.

Topics:
Introduction
Genome organization and evolution
Archives and information retrieval
Alignments and phylogenetic trees
Protein structure and drug discovery

Attendance:  You are expected to attend class.

Final Exam:  Comprehensive