موقع حكومي رسمي تابع لحكومة المملكة العربية السعودية
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Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics

The Bioinformatics program aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills that enable them to apply information technology, programming, and computer science in medical research and biology fields. It also covers the use of computer technologies such as database design and the development of algorithms for collecting and analyzing medical and biological data, and designing models that assist in medical, pharmaceutical, and genetic research, among others.

About The Academic Program

Nature and Goals of the Program

The comprehensive structure of the program is as follows: In the first academic year, the program offers several foundational courses in the fields of biology, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and medical chemistry. This is followed by various specialized courses in the field of bioinformatics, focusing on integrating computing concepts with biological and medical sciences. All courses vary in content, focusing on cognitive abilities, practical and analytical skills for biological data, and scientific research skills. In the final year, the program develops the students' practical skills through several research projects and field training in relevant research centers and institutions. All of this aims to qualify the students to deeply understand the use of information technology and artificial intelligence in understanding and analyzing biological and genetic processes.

Career opportunities

• Bioinformatics Specialist • Health Informatics Specialist - 262107 • Bioinformatics Technician • Health Informatics Technician – 325201 • Data Analyst - 212004 • Laboratory Technician - 321201 • Academic Researcher – 235906 • Professional Trainer – 232001 • Higher Education Faculty Member – 231001 • All these roles are available in research centers and educational and service institutions, both government and private.

Program Information

College of Science
Department of Multidisciplinary:Biology/Information Systems
Major Science in Bioinformatics
Academic degree Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics
Language of instruction English
Duration 4 Years

Program Details

  1. . Developing students' skills in building and organizing biological and medical databases.
  2. Enhancing social responsibility and volunteer work in biological data management.
  3. Empowering students with research skills in bioinformatics.
  4. Offering an educational environment conducive to producing knowledge in bioinformatics to advance the knowledge-based economy.
  5. Preparing students for the bioinformatics job market.
  1. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Graduates will demonstrate critical thinking skills to evaluate complex biological problems and develop innovative solutions using computational and statistical methods.
  2. Social Responsibility: Graduates will take responsibility for applying their knowledge in bioinformatics to serve community needs, including promoting public health initiatives and environmental sustainability in a purposeful manner to address real-world
  3. Research and Innovation: Graduates will be able to conduct independent research in bioinformatics and contribute to advancements in fields such as genomics, proteomics, systems biology, and personalized medicine.
  4. Ethical Awareness: Graduates will understand the ethical issues in bioinformatics research, including issues related to data privacy, sharing, and responsible conduct in research.
  5. Broad Interdisciplinary Knowledge: Graduates will have a deep understanding of biological concepts, computational techniques, statistical methods, and tools used in bioinformatics.
  6. Ability to Adapt and Continuous Learning: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to adapt to emerging technologies and methodologies in bioinformatics and commit to continuous learning and ongoing development.
  7. Proficiency in Computational and Analytical Data Skills: Graduates will be proficient in programming languages, with the ability to develop and implement algorithms to analyze large biological datasets and use bioinformatics tools and databases efficientl
  8. Leadership and Initiative: Graduates will demonstrate leadership qualities and initiative in identifying and seizing opportunities to apply bioinformatics principles and techniques to solve real-world biological problems.
  9. Effective Communication and Teamwork: Graduates will possess strong communication skills that enable them to convey complex biological information collaboratively and effectively to interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
Levels Course Code Course Title Credit Pre-Requisite
Level One BIO 101 General Biology 3 —
Level One CHEM 104 General Chemistry for Health Specialties 3 —
Level One ENG 101-1 English language (1) 3 —
Level One MATH 101 Calculus(1) 3 —
Level One MATH 161 General Statistics 3 —
Level Two ENG 102-2 English language (2) 3 ENG101-1OR ( ENG101AND ENG102 )
Level Two CHEM 254 Biochemistry 3 CHEM104OR HFSC101-1OR CHEM103
Level Two CS 110 Programming Language )1) 6 —
Level Two MATH 367 Probability theory 4 ( MATH103TOR MATH102TOR Math102OR MATH103 )AND ( MATH161TOR MATH162OR MATH261TOR MATH161 )
Level Two PHYS 101 General Physics (1) 3 —
Level Three BIF 210 Cell Biology 3 BIO101OR BIO105
Level Three BIF 230 Introduction to Bioinformatics 3 —
Level Three CS 100 Discrete Structures 4 —
Level Three DS 111 Introduction to Data Science 3 CS110OR CS110T
Level Three HRS 116 Biostatistics 0 OR 3 —
Level Four BIF 211 Genetics 3 BIO101OR BIO105
Level Four BIF 212 Essential Molecular Biology 3 —
Level Four BIF 220 Data Structures and Algorithms 3 CS110
Level Four BIF 221 Database Systems 4 CS110
Level Four BIF 231 Sequence Bioinformatics 3 BIF230
Level Five BIF 313 Microbiology 3 —
Level Five BIF 314 Genome science 3 BIF212
Level Five BIF 322 Machine Learning in Biology 3 BIF220
Level Five BIF 323 Computational Methods for Biological Modeling and Simulation 3 CS110
Level Five BIF 380 Scientific Research Skills 2 —
Level Six BIF 324 Big Data in Bioinformatics 4 BIF220
Level Six BIF 332 Genome Sequencing and Analysis 3 BIF314
Level Six BIO 302 Bioethics and Biosafety 3 BIO101TOR BIO101OR BIO105
Level Six BIF 315 Quantitative Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory 2 BIF210AND BIF212
Level Seven BIF 416 Essential Proteomics 3 CHEM254
Level Seven BIF 425 Exploring and Visualizing Biological Data 3 BIF220
Level Seven BIF 433 Special Topics in Bioinformatics 3 BIF230
Level Seven BIF 481 Graduation Project I 3 BIF380
Level Eight BIF 482 Graduation Project II 3 BIF481
Level Eight BIF 490 Co-op Training 6 BIF416AND BIF433AND BIF425AND BIF481

University Compulsory Requirements

Course Code Course Title Credit
GNR 070 Ethics and Islamic Values 2
GNR 071 Islamic Banking and Economics 2
GNR 072 Community Building in Islam 2
ENG 101 English Language (1) 3
ENG 102 English Language (2) 3

University Elective Requirements

Course Code Course Title Credit
GNR 020 Communication Skills 2
GNR 021 Creative Writing 2
GNR 022 Writing Academic Reports 2
GNR 023 Emotional Intelligence Course 2
GNR 030 Basics of Entrepreneurship 2
GNR 031 Principles of Projects Management 2
GNR 032 Giftedness and Mental Superiority 2
GNR 033 Principles of E-Commerce 2
GNR 034 Financial Literacy 2
GNR 035 Leadership and Change Management 2
GNR 050 Health Awareness 2
GNR 051 Poetry and Prose in Arabic Literature 2
GNR 052 Well-Being and Quality of Life 2
GNR 053 Fitness and Sport Science 2
GNR 060 Sustainable Development 2
GNR 061 Global Citizenship 2
GNR 062 Lifelong Learning Skills 2
GNR 063 Sustainable Ecosystems 2
GNR 064 Global Citizenship 2
GNR 010 History of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Pioneering Role 2
GNR 011 Community Building in Islam 2
GNR 012 Good Citizenship Values 2
GNR 013 Saudi Arts and Heritage 2
GNR 015 Studies in Saudi Literature 2
GNR 040 Computer Skills and Information Technology 2
GNR 041 Basics of Programming 2
GNR 042 Data Analysis and Management 2
GNR 046 Artificial Intelligence For Healthcare Disciplines 2
GNR 047 Artificial Intelligence For Scientific Discipines 2
GNR 048 Artificial Intelligence For Humanities Disciplines 2

College Elective Requirements

Course Code Course Title Credit
Cult 2201 Health Education 2
ENGL 204 Reading and Translation of Scientific Texts 2
ISLS 205 Scientific Miracles in Qur'an and Sunnah 2
MPH 242 Health Education 2
NUR 201 Sociology of Health & Illness 2
NUR 206 Health Education 2
NUR 251 Introduction to Professional Nursing 2
Cult 2101 Health Education 2

Elective Specialization Requirements

Course Code Course Title Credit
BIF 301 Vaccines and Viral Immunology 3
BIF 317 Medical Microbiology 3
BIF 318 Environmental Microbiology 3
BIF 319 Microbiomes 3
BIF 402 Molecular and Genetics Epidemiology 3
BIF 426 Artificial Intelligence in Biology 3
BIF 434 Big Data Analytics 3
CHEM 140 Organic Chemistry 3
EPI 404 Health Informatics 3
MATH 242 Principles of Linear Algebra 3
MBS 120 Anatomy and Physiology 3