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Computational Biology

BIOSC 1540

Spring 2024 • University of PittsburghDepartment of Biological Sciences

This course offers a systematic examination of foundational concepts, comprehensive proficiency in Python applications, and an in-depth understanding of the significant fields of computational biology. Students learn about genomics, transcriptomics, computer-aided drug design, and molecular simulations in the context of current research applications. We focus primarily on hands-on learning with projects centered around E. coli as our computational model organism. Ultimately, this course is the first stepping stone for undergraduates at the University of Pittsburgh before taking Genomics (BIOSC 1542) and/or Simulation and Modeling (BIOSC 1544).

!!! warning

There will be substantial changes to future iterations of this course.
If you are considering taking this course in Fall 2024, please see the [website for that semester](https://pitt-biosc1540-2024f.oasci.org/) before enrolling.

Contributions

All comments, questions, concerns, feedback, or suggestions are welcome! This website is on GitLab and mirrored on GitHub; you can submit an issue or merge request on either site.

Acknowledgements

Dr. Nathan Brouwer deserves immense gratitude for dedicating years to the development of this course. I am lucky to benefit from your insight and hard work in previous semesters. I also appreciate that you switched to Python 🐍 before I taught this course because I do not know R (yet).

In our Friday morning meetings, Dr. Dan Wetzel has provided valuable scaffolding insight for the course while consistently providing encouragement and support. His dedication and contributions have set the tone for success in my teaching endeavors.

Dr. Danielle Spitzer has been a standout pillar of support and pedagogical guidance throughout this journey. Her encouragement to continually strive for improvement resonates in every exchange, creating a warm and motivating atmosphere. (Much of the motivation comes from coffee and delightful discussions about our cats.)

License

Code contained in this project is released under the GPLv3 license as specified in LICENSE.md. All other data, information, documentation, and associated content provided within this project are released under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license as specified in LICENSE_INFO.md.

Why are we using copyleft licenses? Many people have dedicated countless hours to producing high-quality materials that are incorporated into this website. We want to ensure that students maintain access to these materials.

Web analytics

Why would we want to track website traffic?

An instructor can gain insights into how students engage with online teaching materials by analyzing web analytics. This information is instrumental in assessing the effectiveness of the materials. Web analytics reveal the popularity of specific topics or sections among students and empower instructors to tailor future lectures or discussions. Analytics also provides valuable data for curriculum development, helping instructors identify trends, strengths, and weaknesses in course materials. Additionally, instructors may leverage web analytics as evidence of their commitment to continuous improvement in teaching methods, which is helpful in discussions related to professional development, promotions, or tenure.

We track website traffic using plausible, which is privacy-friendly, uses no cookies, and is compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and PECR. We also share this website's analytics with you for additional transparency.