Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (BCB)

This is an archived copy of the 2018-2019 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

View PDF

Expand all courses

Courses

Courses primarily for undergraduates:

(Cross-listed with BCBIO, BIOL, COM S, CPR E, GEN). (4-0) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: MATH 165 or STAT 401 or equivalent.
Broad overview of bioinformatics with a significant problem-solving component, including hands-on practice using computational tools to solve a variety of biological problems. Topics include: bioinformatic data processing, Perl programming, genome assembly, database search, sequence alignment, gene prediction, next-generation sequencing, comparative and functional genomics, and systems biology.

Cr. 1-5. Repeatable, maximum of 9 credits. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduates:

(Cross-listed with COM S, CPR E, GDCB). (4-0) Cr. 4. F.

Prereq: MATH 165 or STAT 401 or equivalent
A practical, hands-on overview of how to apply bioinformatics to biological research. Recommended for biologists desiring to gain computational molecular biology skills. Topics include: sequence analysis, genomics, proteomics, phylogenetic analyses, ontology enrichment, systems biology, data visualization and emergent technologies.

(Cross-listed with COM S, CPR E). (3-0) Cr. 3.

Prereq: COM S 228; COM S 330; credit or enrollment in BIOL 315, STAT 430
Biology as an information science. A review of the algorithmic principles that are driving the advances in bioinformatics and computational biology.

(Cross-listed with COM S, GDCB, STAT). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: BCB 567 or (BIOL 315 and STAT 430), credit or enrollment in GEN 409
Statistical models for sequence data, including applications in genome annotation, motif discovery, variant discovery, molecular phylogeny, gene expression analysis, and metagenomics. Statistical topics include model building, inference, hypothesis testing, and simple experimental design, including for big data/complex models.

(Cross-listed with BBMB, COM S, CPR E, GDCB). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.

Prereq: BCB 567, BBMB 316, GEN 409, STAT 430
Molecular structures including genes and gene products: protein, DNA and RNA structure. Structure determination methods, structural refinement, structure representation, comparison of structures, visualization, and modeling. Molecular and cellular structure from imaging. Analysis and prediction of protein secondary, tertiary, and higher order structure, disorder, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, protein localization and function, bridging between molecular and cellular structures. Molecular evolution.

(Cross-listed with COM S, CPR E, GDCB, STAT). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.

Prereq: BCB 567 or COM S 311, COM S 228, GEN 409, STAT 430
Algorithmic and statistical approaches in computational functional genomics and systems biology. Analysis of high throughput biological data obtained using system-wide measurements. Topological analysis, module discovery, and comparative analysis of gene and protein networks. Modeling, analysis, and inference of transcriptional regulatory networks, protein-protein interaction networks, and metabolic networks. Dynamic systems and whole-cell models. Ontology-driven, network based, and probabilistic approaches to information integration.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.

Prereq: Permission of instructor

(1-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.


Current topics in bioinformatics and computational biology research. Lectures by off-campus experts. Students read background literature, attend preparatory seminars, attend all lectures, meet with lecturers.

Cr. R. Repeatable. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of the program chair
Off-campus work periods for graduate students in the field of bioinformatics and computational biology.

Courses for graduate students:

(3-0) Cr. 1-4. Repeatable, maximum of 4 times. F.S.SS.

Prereq: Permission of Instructor
Topics of interest in the major research areas of computational molecular biology, including genomics, structural genomics, functional genomics, and computational systems biology.

Cr. 1. Repeatable. S.


Student research presentations.

(1-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable.


Faculty research series.

Cr. arr. Repeatable. F.S.SS.


Graduate research projects performed under the supervision of selected faculty members in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology major.

Cr. arr. Repeatable.