Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics 24 months Postgraduate Programme By University of Milan |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

24 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

156 EURTuition Fee/year

Starting Month

OctStarting Month

Programme overview

Main Subject

Biological Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

The Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics ( BCG ) is an inter-university programme offered jointly by the University of Milan and Politecnico di Milano. Taught entirely in English, this interdisciplinary programme aims to produce a new generation of genomic data scientists, capable of applying computational approaches to solve complex problems in the fields of biology and biotechnology.

The Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics has been certified by the “Degree-Granting Endorsement Program” of the International Society for Computational Biology ( ISCB ) as meeting the standards for an education programme in the domain of computational biology and bioinformatics.

What You’ll Learn

Over the two years of the programme, you will develop a strong theoretical and practical understanding of:

  • the molecular logic of living organisms, including the structure and function of biological molecules and how they participate in cellular processes
  • the organisation of information in the genome, and the molecular and cellular processes driving gene expression and its regulation
  • genomic analysis techniques, including next-generation sequencing based assays (genome and exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, ChIP-Seq)
  • statistical and computational methods, including machine learning approaches, for the analysis of biomolecular data
  • modelling techniques for the study of interactions in complex biological systems.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics

  • 100% taught in English
  • Joint degree awarded by two top-tier Italian universities
  • Focus on the quantitative and computational aspects of genomic analysis
  • Extensive research internship and thesis project in a research laboratory.


Programme Structure

The BCG Master’s degree is a two-year programme divided into four semesters .

In the first semester of the first year, students attend different courses depending on their academic background, to fill their knowledge gaps:

  • students with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Engineering, Mathematics or Physics attend courses in Biochemistry and Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • students with a Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences attend courses in Programming and Databases and Statistics.

Starting from the second semester of the first year, all students have to complete the same set of mandatory courses, regardless of their background. 12 ECTS are reserved for electives.

Students conclude the second year with a 21- ECTS internship and final thesis project in a research lab of the University of Milan, Politecnico di Milano, or another Italian or foreign research institution. During the internship, students will work on a research project focusing on the development or application of bioinformatic tools and pipelines for the analysis and organisation of genomic data, which will also be the subject of their final thesis.

Attendance is strongly recommended.

For further details on the courses included in the programme, please visit the University’s website


Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics stand out for their ability to combine an in-depth understanding of the molecular foundations of life sciences with up-to-date expertise in the latest computational technologies for genomic analysis.

Where your Degree Can Take You

Thanks to this interdisciplinary profile, graduates will be prepared to pursue roles such as:

  • Bioinformatics Scientist
  • Computational Biologist
  • Genome Data Scientist
  • Computational Genomics Scientist
  • Bioinformatics Software Developer

Potential employers include biotech and pharma multinationals, precision medicine and digital health companies, biomedical startups, translational research centres, healthcare service providers, as well as academic institutions.

Whatever your future job title will be, this degree is a great starting point to turn complex genomic data into innovative solutions, making an impact across research, healthcare and industry.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Biological Sciences

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Overview

The Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics ( BCG ) is an inter-university programme offered jointly by the University of Milan and Politecnico di Milano. Taught entirely in English, this interdisciplinary programme aims to produce a new generation of genomic data scientists, capable of applying computational approaches to solve complex problems in the fields of biology and biotechnology.

The Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics has been certified by the “Degree-Granting Endorsement Program” of the International Society for Computational Biology ( ISCB ) as meeting the standards for an education programme in the domain of computational biology and bioinformatics.

What You’ll Learn

Over the two years of the programme, you will develop a strong theoretical and practical understanding of:

  • the molecular logic of living organisms, including the structure and function of biological molecules and how they participate in cellular processes
  • the organisation of information in the genome, and the molecular and cellular processes driving gene expression and its regulation
  • genomic analysis techniques, including next-generation sequencing based assays (genome and exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, ChIP-Seq)
  • statistical and computational methods, including machine learning approaches, for the analysis of biomolecular data
  • modelling techniques for the study of interactions in complex biological systems.

Why Choose Our Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics

  • 100% taught in English
  • Joint degree awarded by two top-tier Italian universities
  • Focus on the quantitative and computational aspects of genomic analysis
  • Extensive research internship and thesis project in a research laboratory.


Programme Structure

The BCG Master’s degree is a two-year programme divided into four semesters .

In the first semester of the first year, students attend different courses depending on their academic background, to fill their knowledge gaps:

  • students with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer science, Engineering, Mathematics or Physics attend courses in Biochemistry and Genetics, Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • students with a Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences attend courses in Programming and Databases and Statistics.

Starting from the second semester of the first year, all students have to complete the same set of mandatory courses, regardless of their background. 12 ECTS are reserved for electives.

Students conclude the second year with a 21- ECTS internship and final thesis project in a research lab of the University of Milan, Politecnico di Milano, or another Italian or foreign research institution. During the internship, students will work on a research project focusing on the development or application of bioinformatic tools and pipelines for the analysis and organisation of genomic data, which will also be the subject of their final thesis.

Attendance is strongly recommended.

For further details on the courses included in the programme, please visit the University’s website


Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master’s degree in Bioinformatics for Computational Genomics stand out for their ability to combine an in-depth understanding of the molecular foundations of life sciences with up-to-date expertise in the latest computational technologies for genomic analysis.

Where your Degree Can Take You

Thanks to this interdisciplinary profile, graduates will be prepared to pursue roles such as:

  • Bioinformatics Scientist
  • Computational Biologist
  • Genome Data Scientist
  • Computational Genomics Scientist
  • Bioinformatics Software Developer

Potential employers include biotech and pharma multinationals, precision medicine and digital health companies, biomedical startups, translational research centres, healthcare service providers, as well as academic institutions.

Whatever your future job title will be, this degree is a great starting point to turn complex genomic data into innovative solutions, making an impact across research, healthcare and industry.

Admission Requirements

5.5+
72+

Entry Qualification:

Undergraduate diploma (or higher)

The programme accepts applications from Bachelor’s graduates in:

1. Biotechnology, Biology, Agriculture and Food Sciences or Pharmacological Sciences
2. Information Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics or Statistics

For each of these two profiles, applicants must have obtained a minimum number of ECTS credits in specific foundational subjects (biology, genetics, computer science, etc.).

Applicants with a life-science background must hold at least 30 ECTS in biological disciplines, including at least 18 ECTS in genetics, molecular biology and biochemistry.

Applicants with a quantitative/computational background must hold at least 30 ECTS in the areas of computer science, information/biomedical engineering, mathematics and/or statistics, including at least 6 ECTS in mathematics and at least 12 ECTS in one or more of the following: computer science, information engineering, biomedical engineering, statistics.

Please visit the University’s website and check the Call for Applications for further details on the ECTS required for admission.

If your Bachelor’s degree was obtained in a country that does not use the ECTS system, the Admission Board will check your transcript of records to assess whether your first-cycle degree certifies completion of an equivalent workload for the required subjects.

Selection Process for EU applicants

EU applicants meeting the above-mentioned requirements will be invited to an online interview aimed at assessing their expertise on topics covered by their Bachelor’s degree, as well as their motivation to pursue a career in bioinformatics.

The Admission Board will rank EU applicants based on both their academic curriculum and their performance in the interview, as follows:

  • up to 50 points for the academic curriculum (type of degree, exam grades, further courses attended, additional degrees, etc.)
  • up to 50 points for the interview.

Selection Process for Non-EU Applicants Residing Outside Italy

Applicants who need a visa to study in Italy (i.e. non-EU applicants residing outside Italy) will not have to sit the admission interview. They will be ranked solely on the basis of their academic curriculum, also on a 100-point scale.



For all applicants : please note that there is a cap on the maximum number of students admitted. You are advised to carefully read the Call for Applications on the University’s website, as it contains detailed information on the number of places available, the content and date of the interview, and the selection steps. Only applicants who are placed high enough in the ranking may proceed with matriculation.

The entry qualification documents are accepted in the following languages: English / German / French / Spanish / Italian.

Please note that we only accept official translations (either issued by your former higher education institution or carried out by a certified or sworn translator).

Language Requirements:

English

A B2 or higher level of proficiency in English is required for admission.

You can prove your English proficiency by submitting a language certificate accepted by the University (level B2 or higher). Please note that the University accepts only certificates obtained in the last 3 years, or 2 years for TOEFL .

Applicants without a valid language certificate may exceptionally be admitted if their English proficiency is clearly demonstrated during the admission interview.

List of language certificates accepted by the University

2 Years
Oct

Tuition fees

International
156 EUR

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