Bio- and Medical Informatics

The Мaster’s programme in Bio-Medical Informatics is offered at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of St. Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia (Bulgaria). A primary feature of this degree programme is its interdisciplinary nature. New technologies in Genomics have changed dramatically modern research in Biology and Medicine. The development of high technology products in this area relies on the synergy of modern Information Technologies, mathematical modelling, Biology and Chemistry. It involves application of modern methods for data acquisition and computer assisted analysis of huge amounts of data from statistical and experimental research for the purpose of knowledge extraction.

Professional area:

4.6. Informatics and Computer Science

Degree:

Master of Science

Speciality:

MII212113 Informatics

Master's programme:

Bio- and Medical Informatics

Form of education:

Full-time

Duration of full-time training (in semesters):

Professional qualification:

MSC in Informatics - Bio- and Medical Informatics

Language of Instruction:

Bulgarian

Master's programme director:

Assistant professor Irena Avdjieva, PhD

Focus, educational goals

A primary feature of the Master's Program in Bio- Medical informatics is its interdisciplinary nature. New technologies in genomics have changed dramatically modern research in biology and medicine. The development of high technology products in this area relies on the synergy of modern information technology, mathematical modeling, biology and chemistry. It involves application of modern methods for data acquisition and computer assisted analysis of huge amounts of data from statistical and experimental research for the purpose of knowledge extraction.

The implementation of modern information technologies in healthcare is a real challenge worldwide. A number of skills are necessary to resolve this challenge, where eHealth literacy and the ability to deal with big amounts of specialized health information coming from diverse sources are of primary importance.

The objective of this multidisciplinary field of study is to create modern qualified specialists that are able to apply modern information technologies and mathematical methods in molecular biology, genetics, drug design, medical biophysics, robotics, as well as in healthcare information systems.

The Bio- Medical informatics program is appropriate for BSc graduates in computer science, information technology, applied mathematics, statistics as well as computer engineering, biology, medicine, chemistry and pharmacology.

Training (knowledge and skills)

The program of study comprises three terms. The teaching program in the first two terms enables students from diverse fields of study to acquire general and specialized knowledge in the following major areas- informatics, computational biology, genetics, biostatistics, computer assisted drug design, medical biophysics, eHealth and biomedical robotics. Students in the third term are primarily involved in internship activities in research projects or activities leading to the development of their diploma thesis. Students in this mater’s program have a lot of employment options to choose among upon graduation. Graduates are well prepared to assume real job positions like bioinformatics or bio-computing specialists in industry, eHealth information managers in healthcare, research workers and lectures at the universities.

Professional competence

Biomedical Informatics is a science that combines knowledge in Biology, Medicine, Computer Science and Information Technology to manage health and biomedical information. Such knowledge has proved essential for the success of the large-scale scientific research project on mapping human genes, for example, known as the human genome project. Projects of this type require knowledge of computer data analysis and computing skills, as well as Biology and Medicine research skills to analyze and manage billions of data records.

In view of the requirements of the jobs in their professional careers, the graduates will be able to perform the following activities:

applying theoretical models, methods and tools of Informatics to solve information problems related to scientific and applied projects in Bio-Medicine as well as the implementation of such projects in production.
demonstrating knowledge in some key areas of Biology and Medicine, as well as in Health Information services
taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of different theory-based models of Informatics in their application in Bio-Medical Informatics.
evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of existing solutions in the field of Biomedical Informatics
demonstrating competence in the selection and application of appropriate modern means of Informatics and Information Technology in Bio-Medical Informatics.

Professional realization

The Master's programme of Bio- and Medical Informatics offers the acquisition of a set of knowledge and skills that reflect some of the latest achievements of science in these areas. In particular, this includes the study of modern algorithms for analysis and interpretation of data from molecular biological experiments and studies, Molecular Biology and Genetics, drug design with computer models, computer processing methods, analysis and classification of biomedical data, statistical methods and work with large data bases in Bioinformatics, as well as specific features of information systems in healthcare. The combination of this knowledge and these skills allows graduate students to take appropriate jobs in manufacturing and academic organizations both in Bulgaria and abroad.

Contact information