Runningabioinforma-csundergraduateprogram

Challengesand…morechallenges!

UNSWBachelorofEngineering(Bioinforma-csEngineering)

•  Since2001•  ~70graduatessofar(15ofwhichhavegoneontodoaPhDorMScResearch)

Whoarebioinforma-cians?

Computa-onalbiologists

SoMwaredevelopers

Engineers

Biologistswhousecomputers

Biologyproblems

WorkingsoMware

Algorithms

Infrastructure

Discoveryinbiology

AnEngineeringprogram

•  AccreditedbytheIns-tuteofEngineers(Australia)andtheAustralianComputerSociety

•  Focusnotjustonscien-ficenquiry,butondesigningandbuildingsolu-ons

•  Projectmanagement,professionalissuesandethics

Somechallenges

•  Lowstudentnumbers– Recrui-ngstudents– Doubledegrees

Morechallenges

•  Coveringthebases– Addressingthefounda-onsofcompu-ngANDbiologyANDmaths/stats/chemistryands-llhave-metocoveradvancedtopicsANDgivingstudentsenoughchoice

Evenmorechallenges

•  Keepingthebiologistshappy– Toolusersvstoolbuilders

•  Keepingthecomputerscien-stshappy– Toolbuildersvstoolusers

•  Keepingtheaccountantshappy

Wheredothegraduatesfindjobs?

•  Bioinforma-cs•  IT/compu-ng

•  Biotechnologyandbiology•  Consul-ng•  Finance/banking!