Introduction

The bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics provides training in the application of computational and information technologies and statistics to the management and analysis of biological data. The discipline of bioinformatics combines computer science, biomedical sciences, physics and chemistry.

The bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics is offered jointly by the University of Barcelona (UB), Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC). The degree is taught entirely in English and is managed by ESCI-UPF and classes are taught mainly on the UPF's Campus del Mar.

The bachelor's degree in Bioinformatics brings together mathematical skills, computer modelling and biological knowledge with an interdisciplinary focus, with particular emphasis on biomedical applications. The ability to process, visualize and analyse this big data offers tremendous opportunities for improving our understanding of biology and making new advances in medicine, agriculture and the food industry.

The course also aims to prepare professionals capable of pursuing careers in research, development and innovation, while also equipping them with management skills. To this end, it provides a comprehensive education based on knowledge and values.

Basic information

Type Bachelor's degrees
Faculty or school Faculty of Biology
Branch of knowledge Health Sciences
Credits 240
Length of course 4 academic years
Language(s) of instruction Catalan  54,9%, English 45,1%
Approximate price per credit 138 €
Compulsory placements No
Interuniversity Yes
Main university Pompeu Fabra
Universities Autònoma de Barcelona
Politècnica de Catalunya

Objectives and competences

Objectives

Competences

Graduates will acquire the competences to:

  • Apply techniques, tools and skills in the practice of bioinformatics.
  • Apply their expertise in computing, statistics, mathematics and health and life sciences to the field of bioinformatics.
  • Analyse a problem and identify and define the necessary computing solutions.
  • Design, apply and assess a system, process, component or computer program to meet needs in the field.
  • Apply mathematical knowledge, algorithmic principles and computing theories to model and design computing systems.
  • Apply statistical and computing models to solve problems in molecular biology, genomics, medical research and population genetics.
  • Understand the process of scientific discovery and the role of bioinformatics

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

Students should have a good grounding in science, logical reasoning skills, an ability to handle abstract models and good observation, attention and concentration skills. They should also be creative, imaginative and innovative and have an interest in the life sciences and medicine.

Access requirements and conditions

Admission for students with studies completed outside Spain.

Applicants holding higher educational qualifications from a university outside Spain should consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications to find out about specific admission requirements.
 

Pre-enrolment

Students that have studied abroad and who wish to study at the University of Barcelona may be admitted to EHEA bachelor's degree courses. Procedures for gaining admission will depend on the qualifications held by each applicant.

For further information about admission, consult the page Admission with foreign qualifications.
 

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online via the Món UB portal. To find out the date and time you have been assigned, check the specific information for your course. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned.

Academic information

 

Welcome

Support and guidance

Pre-enrolment information and events

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Basic training 48
  92
  20
Compulsory placements 0
  20
TOTAL 180

List of subjects

OPTIONAL YEAR
Subject Language Type Credits
Advanced Programming, Algorithms and Data Structure   Optional 4
Agrigenomics   Optional 4
Biomedical Imaging Techniques   Optional 4
Chemical Genomics   Optional 4
Conscious Programming of Computer and Software Architecture   Optional 4
Current Research Topics in Bioinformatics   Optional 4
Genetic Epidemiology   Optional 4
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Research and Development   Optional 4
Management and Entrepreneurship   Optional 4
Medical Informatics   Optional 4
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Genetics   Optional 4
Ontologies in Health Sciences and Life Sciences   Optional 4
Placement   Optional 20

Pathways and specializations

Bioinformatics
Check the planning of the different pathways of the degree

Previous years

Placements

Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment.They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 500 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.
 

Institutional information

 

Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

Given that bioinformatics is a multidisciplinary field of science and technology at the crossroads of computing and life sciences, graduates have openings in several fields of expertise:

  • Biomedicine: integrating omics and clinical data to make progress in personalised precision medicine.
  • Biology: processing and interpreting omics data for enhanced animal and plant genetics.
  • Pharmacology: managing chemical, pharmacological, toxicological and clinical data during the process of discovering, developing and using new drugs.
  • Bioinformatics scientist
  • Programmer
  • Data analysis
  • Quality controller
  • R&D researcher at universities and companies

Contact us

Faculty of Biology

Diagonal, 643 - 08028 Barcelona

Secretary: 934 021 087
secretaria-biologia@ub.edu

 

Questions mailbox