Bioinformatics is geared towards the upcoming biotechnology revolution, aiming to cultivate interdisciplinary talents in genome information analysis and biomedical big data. It is overseen by the Peking University Bioinformatics Center.

Bioinformatics includes two directions: bioinformatics and biomedical informatics and engineering.

The bioinformatics direction focuses on the analysis and mining of biomedical big data such as genomes, proteomes, and metabolomes. By integrating theories, methods, and models from information science and computer science, this direction aims to develop new technologies and methods to effectively acquire, manage, analyze, and mine massive biomedical data. Based on this foundation, it seeks to discover new biological phenomena, physiological and genetic regulatory patterns, as well as disease mechanisms, providing guidance and support for applications in various social domains such as health, agriculture, and ecology. It is one of the forefront and core areas of modern life sciences.

The biomedical informatics and engineering direction focuses on the multimodal acquisition and integrated analysis of biomedical signals at different scales. This direction combines the demands of cutting-edge biomedical developments for new methods and technologies with engineering science and technology. It comprehensively applies electronic technology, optical technology, information technology, and computational technology to develop new technologies, instruments, and algorithms for biomedical signal acquisition. On this basis, it elucidates the basic laws of life activities and the fundamental mechanisms of related diseases, serving as an emerging strategic discipline supporting the continuous development and innovation of modern life sciences and medicine.

Bioinformatics aims to cultivate interdisciplinary research talents in bioinformatics so that students who complete the program possess both a deep understanding of life sciences and the ability to innovate for research methods and technologies.

After four years of study, students in this program should achieve the following objectives:

1. Possess a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and experimental skills.

2. Systematically master the fundamental theories, knowledge, and skills of modern biology and its important branches, as well as research methods and experimental techniques in biological sciences.

3. Receive robust training in information science and technology, with proficiency in programming, biomedical big data analysis, or optical and circuit design and construction.

4. Undergo certain scientific research training, developing logical thinking, and scientific qualities.

5. Demonstrate a scientific spirit characterized by theoretical grounding in practical application, pragmatism, independent thinking, and a willingness to innovate.

6. Have a good understanding of the frontier developments in biomedical and information science technologies, acquiring the ability to engage in interdisciplinary research and possessing an international academic perspective.

7. Possess comprehensive cultural literacy, a strong knowledge structure, adaptability to new environments and groups, and proficiency in both Chinese and English languages.

Students in bioinformatics primarily study essential mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, and information science fundamentals, mastering basic skills in software development, data analysis, or optical, electronic technology, and engineering design. Upon graduation, they are equipped with the ability to engage in theoretical research, data analysis, applied research, research and development, education, teaching, and scientific management in various departments and fields of biomedical sciences. They can adapt to the ever-evolving demands of modern biomedical technology development.

Some Required Courses

Molecular Biology and Lab

This course provides a comprehensive overview of molecular biology, starting from a global perspective of the genome. It extensively covers the core principles and major techniques of molecular biology, highlighting recent advances and dynamics in the field, particularly focusing on the latest developments in genomics and proteomics research.

Cell Biology and Lab

This course aims to acquaint the students with the basic knowledge, concepts, and fundamental theories, as well as a brief history and most advanced domain of the subject being taught.

Bioinformatics and Lab

This course introduces the basic principles in the field of bioinformatics, especially the analysis and applications of the cutting-edge “omics” including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics.

Signals and Systems

This course aims to enable students to learn about the various classic analysis methods for signals and systems. Students will gain further understanding of new theory and methods, and laying a solid foundation.

Mathematical Modeling in the Life Sciences

Starting with basic mathematical concepts, this course introduces the process of mathematical modeling, allowing undergraduates to appreciate the application of mathematics in biology. It aims to cultivate undergraduates' thinking abilities in quantitative biology, thereby stimulating their strong interest in learning and scientific research.

Statistical analysis of genomics data

This course introduces common data types in genomics, such as WGS, RNA-seq, Hi-C, single cell sequencing, and statistical analysis and graphing methods commonly used in data analysis, including exploratory data analysis, linear regression, variance analysis, Bayesian models, data dimension reduction, and clustering.

Some Elective Courses

The Basics of Bioinformation Technology

This course aims to introduce: Linux commonly used commands; Linux general operation; Linux text editing; Commonly used bioinformatics tools under Linux; Introduction to programming tools under Linux; Introduction to database management systems under Linux.

Technologies for Genomics Biology

This course is intended to look at the biological processes from a different point of view, i.e. Genomic Biology. We will apply whole-genome scale and quantitative measurements in biological studies. Students will learn and use a wide variety of genomic biology tools to explain the gene regulation networks of biological systems.

Methods in Bioinformatics

By introducing the essential methods and technology in modern bioinformatics and computational biology, we aim to offer a unique opportunity to understand the underlying principles of several popular tools and use them to solve real biology problems.

Biological fluorescence imaging

In this course, we will start with the principles of fluorescence from dyes/proteins, introducing imaging technologies such as wide-field fluorescence imaging, confocal, two-photon, super-resolution imaging, and Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), along with the principles of image analysis and their applications.

Epigenetics--From Chromatin Biology to Human Diseases

In this course, we begin by discussing the definition of “epigenetics” and cover a list of proposed epigenetic processes, including chemical modifications to DNA, DNA-packaging proteins, chromatin remodeling, and gene silencing, and show how all act together to specify gene expression profiles that dictate cell identity and to maintain genome stability that ensure epigenetic inheritance.