Attend Bioinformatics Courses Geared at Mature Students

After attending bioinformatics courses, professionals have many options in the field. For example, they may become Bioinformatics Analysts who contribute to genomic sequencing projects and scientific analysis of the data generated by those projects using a variety of bioinformatics techniques and software applications. Their responsibilities may include generating, annotating, and analyzing genomic data and preparing the data for further research or publication. On the other hand, they may also become bioinformatics software developers, bioinformatics research technicians, application developers, software developers, database developers who work in academic, government and industrial labs. Bioinformatics professionals can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology. Recently, there has been a demand for professionals who have completed bioinformatics courses.


Where exactly can one train for these options? Centennial College’s Bioinformatics for Software Professionals offers a year’s worth of bioinformatics courses that are intensive, hands-on and problem-based, and result in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate. This is beneficial as Bioinformatics merges biology with information technology and computers. As such, it uses the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data. Much of the study level of the bioinformatics courses in this program’s curriculum is beyond the bachelor’s degree.


Faculty members who lead the bioinformatics courses in the program are knowledgeable and approachable with diverse business experience and academic credentials. They encourage a mature learning environment that includes course homework, an individual research thesis and a co-op component (which sees students working in the field during their last semester), providing students with the unique skill set and training that are in high demand in the field.


Specific bioinformatics courses within the program include: Statistics and Data Analysis For Bioinformatics (introductory course in bioinformatics data analysis designed to provide a breadth of topical coverage. The main categories of topics include statistical, stochastic and multi-dimensional analysis); Bioinformatics Algorithms (students examine the major algorithms used in bioinformatics and describe their underlying principles. Through case-study analysis, students evaluate the practical applications and limitations of current bioinformatics algorithms. Students also demonstrate the role of optimization techniques and dynamic programming techniques in bioinformatics); Database Design and Biological Data Management (students design, utilize, and integrate biological databases to facilitate novel approaches for biological data management, retrieval and analysis. Students evaluate major database implementation issues and demonstrate software project management skills); and many others.


Past students who have completed all of the bioinformatics courses at Centennial College have been hired by: OICR, Ontario health network, Ontario hospitals and the provincial government.


To attend Centennial College’s bioinformatics courses, applicants must have completed an advanced diploma or university degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related discipline. In addition, they must be prepared to offer proof of English proficiency, a transcript as well as a resume.

Bioinformatics Courses Result in Futuristic Career

Do job titles such as bioinformatics analyst, bioinformatics and research technician, application, software or database developer; and bioinformatics software developer interest you? Have you completed a college advanced diploma or university degree in computer science, software engineering or related discipline? Can you offer proof of English proficiency as well as a transcript of your college record and resume? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, you may want to consider attending bioinformatics courses at Centennial College in Toronto, Ont.

Before we look at the bioinformatics courses of Centennial College, let’s take a look at the field and what entails. Bioinformatics is an exciting new area that merges biology with information technology and computers. It uses the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data. Recently, there has been a demand for professionals who have attended bioinformatics courses at a reputable post-secondary institution. This demand actually exceeds supply, and employment is found at research centers, universities, private companies and government institutions. However, skills in bioinformatics can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology.

Centennial College’s bioinformatics courses prepare students for work in all of these places in a concentrated training format, which is completed in 12 months and results in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate. Due to its pace, this program (officially known as Bioinformatics for Software Professionals) is targeted to students with existing software backgrounds. Faculty members who lead the bioinformatics courses in the program are knowledgeable and approachable with diverse business experience and academic credentials and encourage a mature learning environment.

Meanwhile the bioinformatics courses themselves are intensive, hands-on and problem-based. They include course work and an individual research thesis. Specific bioinformatics courses within the program include: Molecular Biology and Genomics (students are introduced to the exciting field of molecular biology through an analysis of its origins, exploration of its key concepts, and an investigation into its future potential. Topics covered include genes, genomes, functional genomics, and the major tools and techniques used in the field of molecular biology); Current Topics in Bioinformatics (introduces “culture” of bioinformatics through an analysis of current applications and exciting advances in the field. Subject matter will vary based on invited guests, but may include topics in comparative genomics, pharmacogenomics, microbial genomics, systems biology or environmental bioinformatics); Database Design and Biological Data Management (students design, utilize, and integrate biological databases to facilitate novel approaches for biological data management, retrieval and analysis. Students also evaluate major database implementation issues and demonstrate software project management skills); and more.

To balance these in-school bioinformatics courses, this program also has a co-op component, which gives students a unique skill set and training that are in high demand in the field. Upon graduation students who have completed all of the bioinformatics courses at Centennial College have been hired by: OICR, Ontario health network, Ontario hospitals and the provincial government.

Bioinformatics Courses in the Bioinformatics Software for Professionals Program Combine Practical and Academic Training

Organizations such as OICR, Ontario health networks, Ontario hospitals, the provincial government and many others have hired graduates of Centennial College’s Bioinformatics Software for Professionals program, which offers a variety of bioinformatics courses.

Before we take a more in-depth look at Centennial College’s program, let’s look at bioinformatics itself. This area combines biology with information technology and computers. Current advances have increased the need for the creation of new and innovative bioinformatics tools. Unique computational tools open a vast potential for new scientific discovery, with the ultimate goal of understanding and modeling living systems. Essentially then, bioinformatics entails the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data.

The first of its kind in Canada to provide 12 months of concentrated training that results in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate for students with existing software backgrounds, the Bioinformatics for Software Professionals program is reliable and reputable. During the application progress, students must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a four-year degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering or related discipline, from an accredited college or university. They are also expected to submit a resume.

Bioinformatics courses within the program are intensive, hands-on and problem-based. They include course work, an individual research thesis and are delivered using leading-edge technology geared to industry standards and project-based learning. Faculty members are knowledgeable and approachable with diverse business experience and academic credentials.

Specific bioinformatics courses within the program include: Bioinformatics Tools, Databases & Models (students explore the current biological data types and existing array of biological databases); Molecular Biology and Genomics (students are introduced to the exciting field of molecular biology through an analysis of its origins, exploration of its key concepts, and an investigation into its future potential); Parallel and Distributed Computing (students examine parallel and distributed computing architectures, algorithms, software, and applications in relation to bioinformatics); and many others.

To balance their on-campus learning, students take part in a one-semester paid co-op experience. In order to participate in the co-op component, students must obtain a minimum GPA 2.5 or above in their bioinformatics courses. Co-op lets students explore their career interests so they have a better idea of what type of job they want to pursue when they graduate.

Demand actually exceeds supply in this field, ensuring that graduates of bioinformatics courses will enjoy a meaningful career. Employment in bioinformatics is found at research centers, universities, private companies and government institutions. However, skills in bioinformatics can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology.

Be Part of a Field that Merges Biology and Information Technology by Taking Centennial College’s Bioinformatics Course

In order to understand the bioinformatics field, you must first know that it is an area that merges biology with information technology and computers. Another important fact is that bioinformatics entails the creation and advancement of databases, algorithms, computational and statistical techniques and theory to solve formal and practical problems arising from the management and analysis of biological data. Recently, there has been a demand for professionals who have attended a bioinformatics course at a reputable post-secondary institution. Demand actually exceeds supply, ensuring that graduates of bioinformatics courses will enjoy a meaningful career.

Employment in bioinformatics is found at research centers, universities, private companies and government institutions. However, skills in bioinformatics can also be utilized in the pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental industries and in all areas of biotechnology. Job titles within the bioinformatics field include: bioinformatics analyst, bioinformatics and research technician, application, software or database developer; and bioinformatics software developer.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the popular bioinformatics options. One is to become an analyst or programmer. This person builds programs by using computational formulas to determine outcomes based on biological projects or research. Speaking of research, another bioinformatics option is to become a research technician option. These professionals use computer programs to gather, analyze and track data about specific biological functions or characteristics in order to gain a better understanding of complex biological activities. The last option we’ll look at is that of a software developer, who works with the software development team to provide software solutions that address scientific challenges. This person also participates in design, review, coding, testing, troubleshooting and support for custom developed software solutions.

Before launching your career in bioinformatics, professionals must learn the theory behind this in-depth field. This can be achieved at Centennial College’s Bioinformatics of Software Professionals program, which is the first of its kind in Canada to provide 12 months of concentrated training that results in a post-degree bioinformatics certificate targeted to students with existing software backgrounds.

Bioinformatics courses within the program are intensive, hands-on and problem-based. They include course work, an individual research thesis and a co-op component, which provides you with the unique skill set and training that are in high demand in the field. In order to participate in the co-op component, students must obtain a minimum GPA 2.5 or above in their bioinformatics courses. Much of the study level of this curriculum is beyond the bachelor’s degree.

Specific bioinformatics courses within the program include: Biochemistry (an introduction to basic biochemical concepts important for bioinformatics students), Statistics and Data Analysis for Bioinformatics (main categories of topics includestatistical, stochastic, and multi-dimensional analysis), Developing Bioinformatics Tools (students will develop the skills to deal with the increasing computational demands in the rapidly growing field of bioinformatics), and many others.

To apply, students must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a four-year degree in Computer Science or Software Engineering or related discipline, from an accredited college or university. They are also expected to submit a resume.