A+B. Intro_SJ.1 - University of Maryland University College

B I OT 610 In t roduction to Bi o i n f o rmatics (3)
( Formerly BIOT and BTMN 646.) Efficient experimental techniques
have led to an exponential growth of data in biotechnolo
g y. Today the emphasis is switching from the accumulation of
data to their analysis and interpretation. Computational tools for
classifying sequences, large data bases of biological information,
computationally intensive methods, new algorithms, and machine
learning unite to extract new concepts. This is the domain of
bioinformatics. Sp e c i f i c a l l y, bioinformatics includes new sophisticated
DNA, RNA, and protein sequence analyses and pattern
recognition and DNA computing, but also more traditional
mathematical modeling, Bayesian probability and basic algorithms,
machine learning and neural networks, and Ma rk ov
models and dynamic programming. Bioinformatics covers many
subjects, among the most important of which are the analysis of
m a c romolecular sequences, the analysis of tridimensional stru c-
t u res, the analysis of phylogenic relationships, and the analysis of
genomic and proteomic data.
B I OT 613 Statistical Processes for Biotechnology (3)
Pre requisite: Knowledge of basic statistics. This class focuses on
Bayesian statistics, Markov processes, and information theoric
indices. These statistical tools can be used to analyze inheritance
patterns (dominance, recession, sex linkages, etc.), sequence
homology, and the presence of motifs in sequences. A number
of concepts (including information content, mutual information,
long-range correlation, repeats, and Fourrier analysis) will
be introduced. Linguistic methods will be evaluated.
BIOT 615 Relational Database Systems (3)
(Also listed as CSMN 661.) This course introduces the fundamental
concepts necessary for the design, use, and implementation
of relational database systems. The course stresses the
fundamentals of database modeling and design, the languages
and facilities provided by database management systems, and the
techniques for implementing relational database systems. The
course has an emphasis on relational databases, but includes the
network and hierarchical data models. Semantic modeling and
functional data modeling concepts are also included. Various
database design techniques, implementation concepts, and techniques
for query optimization, concurrency control, recovery,
and integrity are investigated. There will be an online laboratory
component for this course.
BIOT 616 Data Structures and Algorithms (3)
(Also listed as CSMN 614.) This course introduces the definitions,
implementations, and applications of the most basic data
structures used in computer science, including the concept of
abstract data types. The course also introduces the basic formalism
and concepts used in the analysis of algorithms and in algorithm
design. The relative efficiency of the algorithms studied is
estimated by informal application of these ideas. The algorithms
and data structures discussed include those for sorting, searching,
graph problems, dynamic programming, combinatorial
search, and others.
BIOT 617 Advanced Bioinformatics (3)
Students are given the basic programming tools for performing
bioinformatic analyses in both the UNIX and MS DOS/
Window environments. The class focuses on the use of Perl and
Bioperl as the basic programming tools. Students develop and
practice basic programming skills on such problems as codon
usage/bias, open reading frame, CpG islands detection, and
gene identification.
BIOT 640 Societal Issues in Biotechnology (3)
( Formerly BTMN 640.) An ove rv i ew of the early history, modern
developments, and bioethical issues of biotechnology is provided.
Managerial views of the commercialization of technology,
legal issues, biohazards, and the evolution of biotechnology as a
function of human interventions are presented. St ress is on the
need for public scrutiny and the role of governmental re g u l a t o ry
agencies in re s e a rching, developing, and commerc i a l i z i n g
b i o t e c h n o l o g y.
BIOT 641 Commercializing Biotechnology in Early-Stage
Ventures (3)
(Formerly BTMN 641.) This course focuses on methods for
planning and organizing biotechnology ventures. The elements
of a business plan are considered, as are methods for assessing
various needs, such as capital, personnel, t e c h n o l o g y, and marketing.
Ap p roaches to marketing technology and developing joint
ventures are emphasized. Advantages and disadvantages of forming
international ventures are weighed. The importance of maintaining
relations with external constituents is discussed, as is the
need for managing public awareness.
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