Master in Bio-informatics and Modelling

From genome sequencing to the analysis of cellular processes and the study of protein structures, solving today's challenges in biology relies on the complementarity of experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches that enable the analysis, modeling, and simulation of biological systems, from the molecular and cellular levels up to those of organisms and populations.

To address this evolution, the Master’s program trains students from diverse backgrounds in genomic and transcriptomic bioinformatics, biophysics and structural analysis of proteins, machine learning methods (artificial intelligence), big data processing, and mathematical modeling of dynamic processes in biology.

The 120-credit program consists of theoretical courses, applied projects, an internship, and the completion of a thesis. The curriculum is organized around three main themes:

› The world of DNA and RNA: genomics, transcriptomics;

› The world of proteins: structural bioinformatics;

› Biological processes: dynamic modeling.

For students who already hold a 120-credit master’s degree in a related field and wish to enhance their skills through a personalized program focused on key tools and methods in bioinformatics and modeling, it is also possible to complete the master’s degree in a single year (provided that a series of courses already taken are recognized).

This flexible track allows students to build on their existing foundation with core courses, customize their program with elective courses from a predefined list, and complete a thesis. Since each student’s prior academic background is unique, admission to this one-year track requires approval by the admissions committee at the time of initial enrollment.

The program is taught in French and English. The one-year track offers the option to complete the entire master’s program in English, while the two-year track, although primarily in English, includes a few courses taught exclusively in French.

The Master programme consists of:

• Lecture courses
• Practical work on computers
• Exercise sessions
• Personal assignments and projects

The curriculum includes:

• An internship (in an academic or professional environment) (10 credits)
• A Master's thesis (25 credits)

ULB has played a pioneering role in developing the new disciplines covered in this Master, and has now reached a critical number of research groups and teachers with expertise in these areas. An increasing number of research laboratories in various faculties (Sciences, Applied Sciences, Medicine, and Bioengineering) have an interest in bioinformatics and modelling. The master in bioinformatics and modelling also benefits from the existence of interfaculty and interuniversity structures such as the Brussels Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics - (IB)² (https://ibsquare.be/), which gathers bioinformaticians both from VUB and ULB.

The curriculum offered by the ULB for this Master covers all areas of modern bioinformatics and modelling. Areas of applications include genome analysis, epigenetics, rational drug design, modelling of genetic and metabolic networks, synthetic biology, as well as the treatment of large data sets ("big data").

The sector of academic research as well as innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are seeking to recruit young scientists with benefit from this type of training. This tendency, started several years ago, has been continuously gaining in importance.

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