Bioinformatics: Wageningen University and Research Centre

About the programme

The MSc programme in Bioinformatics at Wageningen University provides students having a BSc in Life Sciences with skills necessary to manipulate these large biological datasets, the ability to analyze these data and the ability to develop new bioinformatics tools.

At Wageningen the Bioinformatics programme focuses on the practical application of Bioinformatics. Depending on previous BSc degree, candidates are requested to follow supplementary advanced courses in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or genetics. The curriculum commences with basic training in database management, computer programming and training in elementary bioinformatics tools aimed at using existing software to collect, analyze and interpret DNA and protein sequence information and moves on to more open challenges.

Future career

Bioinformatics is a new fast growing field of research poorly served by traditional curricula in Life Sciences. As the demand has outpaced the supply of bioinformaticians the first job after graduation is often a PhD project at a research institute or at an University in or outside the Netherlands.

Admission requirments

Bioinformatics seeks solutions to biological problems through systematic analysis of large sets of  bio-data.

Students who want to enrol the Msc program Bioinformatics therefore must have:

• at least a Bsc degree of equivalent in, bioinformatics, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field in life sciences.
• skills in mathematics/statistics
• computer skills

English Language proficiency

Master of Science programs at Wageningen University are lectured in English only. Being able to express yourself in English is a requirement for an international scientific career and promotes contacts with scientists in other countries. International students (non-native speakers of English) require a minimum TOEFL 550 level in English (paper-based version). Dutch students with a minimum VWO level 6 (or HAVO- 7) English are exempt from this requirement.