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551-1201-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL
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Computational Methods in Genome and Sequence Analysis

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Anton Wutz
Number of participants limited to 7. The enrolment is done by the D-BIOL study administration. General safety regulations for all block courses: The COVID certificate is mandatory at ETH Zurich. Only students who have a Covid certificate, i.e. who have been vaccinated, have recovered or have been tested, are entitled to attend courses in attendance. -Whenever possible the distance rules have to be respected -All students have to wear masks throughout the course. Please keep reserve masks ready. Surgical masks (IIR) or medical grade masks (FFP2) without a valve are permitted. Community masks (fabric masks) are not allowed. -The installation and activation of the Swiss Covid-App is highly encouraged -Any additional rules for individual courses have to be respected -Students showing any COVID-19 symptoms are not allowed to enter ETH buildings and have to inform the course responsible.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:48:53

Abstract

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive overview of computational methods for sequence analysis and assist with developing skills for application of computational approaches by experimental scientists in the life sciences.

Objective

Methods for analyzing animal genomes are increasingly becoming important for applications in human health and biotechnology suggesting that the experience will be useful to develop relevant expertise for a broad range of functions. Students will have the opportunity to advance their knowledge in programming by focusing on algorithms for genome and gene sequence analysis. A major goal of the course will be to lead the student to an independent and empowered attitude towards computational problems. For reaching this goal the students will work on an implementation of a solution for a set real-world problem in genome and sequence analysis under guided supervision.

Content

•Understanding the information in biological sequences and quantifying similarity •Introduction to algorithms for sequence comparison and searches •Implementation of sequence comparisons and searches in Python •Accessing data formats associated with genome sequence analysis tasks •Understanding the anatomy of a real world sequence analysis project •Applying tools for sequence alignment and estimating error rates •Ability to implement a solution to a problem in sequence analysis using Python •Accessing genome annotation and retrieving relevant information in Pandas •Application of Genomic intervals and arrays for sequence analysis with HTSeq The course will consist of a series of lectures, assignments for implementing elementary tasks in Python, project development and discussion workshops, and 3 and a half week of practical work implementing a Pythons script as a solution to a real world problem associated with sequence analysis. At the end of the course students will explain their solutions and demonstrate the functionality of their implementations, which will then be discussed and commented on by the group. It is expected that students will be able to apply the knowledge to improve on concrete problems.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Students are obliged to be present throughout the block course.Cancellation: If you have to deregister from a course that has been assigned to you (just emergency reasons), please notify in written the course coordinator at least four weeks before the course starts, for courses in the 1st quarter, a cancellation period of one week applies. The study secretariat D-BIOL must also be informed (email CC [email protected]) so that the enrollment is deleted. Otherwise the course is considered as "failed".

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
practical/laboratory course Computational Methods in Genome and Sequence Analysis
Permission from lecturers required for all students. Block course in the 2nd quarter of the autumn semester
  • Tue 12:45-16:30 (HPL E 14.2)
  • Tue 12:45-16:30 (HPL E 16.2)
  • Wed 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 14.2)
  • Wed 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 16.2)
  • Thu 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 14.2)
  • Thu 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 16.2)
  • Fri 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 14.2)
  • Fri 07:45-16:30 (HPL E 16.2)
100 h semesterly

Offered In