JHU Center for Biotechnology Education Introduces New Post-Master’s Bioinformatics Certificate

Posted by: rferrier Tags: Posted date: March 22, 2012 | No comment

by Aliyah DeVille

Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Biotechnology Education has introduced a new Post-Master’s Certificate in Sequence Analysis and Genomics for professionals working in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology who are looking to acquire or improve upon existing bioinformatics skills. Classes for the certificate will be offered at the university’s Montgomery County Campus and online.

In the age of rapid technological growth, Program Director Dr. Kristina Obom said that she saw many professionals struggling to keep up with new technology, especially in areas related to DNA and RNA sequencing.

“Many professionals who haven’t taken classes recently don’t know how to use all of the new technologies,” she said. “They also don’t how to analyze and interpret the results.”

According to Obom, this new program is the only one of its kind in Montgomery County that is geared specifically toward biologists.

To complete the certificate, students must complete five courses including three required courses: Introduction to Bioinformatics, Practical Computer Concepts for Bioinformatics, and Next Generation DNA Sequencing and Analysis. The remaining two courses will be electives of the students’ choosing.

The application for the new Certificate will be available July 1 and students can begin taking classes Fall 2012.