Topic focus: Bioinformatics

[dhfr]

When I first got involved in DL, I was interested in pursuing a graduate degree in bioinformatics. I didn't find what I was looking for, so I dropped the idea. But the number of DL graduate programs in bioinformatics has been gradually increasing. Here are some of them:Bioinformatics Institute of India (http://www.bii.in/us/page/overseas/index.asp)
Diploma and Post-Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics (caution: these are not degrees, and BII is not a university)

Johns Hopkins University (http://www.jhu.edu/advanced/bioinformatics/)
MS in Bioinformatics (only partially DL)

Knowledge Systems Institute (http://www.ksi.edu/bi.html)
MS in Computer and Information Sciences with Area of Concentration in Bioinformatics

Polytechnic University (http://epoly.poly.edu/programs/bioinformatics/index.php)
MS in Bioinformatics

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (http://www.pde.rpi.edu/academics/certificates/bioinformatics.shtml)
Certificate in Bioinformatics

University of Exeter (http://bioinformatics.ex.ac.uk/outline2.htm)
MSc in Bioinformatics

University of Leeds and University of Manchester (joint) (http://wunlearn.leeds.ac.uk/details/index.htm)
MSc in Bioinformatics

University of Maryland University College (http://www.umuc.edu/grad/msbt/tracks/bp.shtml)
MS in Biotechnology - Bioinformatics Practice track

University of Oxford (http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/cpd/biosciences/courses/msc/default.asp)
MSc in Bioinformatics (only partially DL)

[dhfr]

Looking to the future, I heard that Brandeis University may move its Bioinformatics program online.

[dhfr]

Reported elsewhere is the news that Johns Hopkins is moving its program totally online. I had listed it as partially DL in my post last year.

See http://advanced.jhu.edu/biotechnology/bioinformatics_online.cfm

I was looking for a program in bioinformatics about 5 years ago. But I'm glad I didn't find it. An article by Steven Heffner in the December 2005 issue of Genetic Engineering News explains why. Heffner notes that at the turn of the century there was a prediction that the market for informatics (bioinformatics plus chemoinformatics) would be $43 billion per year by 2004. But the actual worldwide market in 2004 was $0.34 billion ($180 billion for bioinformatics, $160 million for chemoinformatics) and is projected to rise to $0.45 billion total by 2008. A far cry from the original enthusiasm. I have a friend who was encouraging my move into bioinformatics -- but he himself (and indeed his entire group) was laid off in Nov 2004 as bioinformatics became to be seen as less critical to biotechnology research.

[dhfr]

Here's some more information on the Brandeis program. Still not fully DL.

http://www.brandeis.edu/rabbgrad/visitors/program.php?prog_id=17

[Redlyne Racer]

I don't know if they have a distance learning program, but I understand you can get a good deal on genetically modified pork at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Something to keep in mind when you barbecue this summer.

[dhfr]

... $180 billion for bioinformatics ...I meant $180 million (not billion)!

[Robert J.]

I meant $180 million (not billion)!

See, if you were an admin again you could've fixed that.... :)

[dhfr]

See, if you were an admin again you could've fixed that.... :)Yes. I was confused for a few moments as to why I couldn't edit. Then I remembered that I'm now a plebeian.

[Robert J.]

Yes. I was confused for a few moments as to why I couldn't edit. Then I remembered that I'm now a plebeian.

I like that you still contribute but now you are not on the Degreeboard payroll anymore. You were on the payroll right? hmmm....

[dhfr]

Yes, I believe I was getting twice the pay that the rest of the moderators were.

[michael]

Yes, I believe I was getting twice the pay that the rest of the moderators were.

Lets see I got paid diddley, so I am guessing you got paid diddley squat?

:D

[dhfr]

Somehow I had missed the USQ bioinformatics program:

Master of Science (Bioinformatics) (http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2006/MSBN.html)

Here's what they say about pursuing the program by DL:All courses, except some Biology courses, may be taken in either day or external mode. Students requiring Biology courses (i.e. those with an IT based background) are required to take such courses in day mode due to the intrinsic lab based nature of Biology courses. Students from the life sciences can complete the program externally.