Preparatory Program for the M.Sc. in Computational Biology

עברית

Preparatory Program for Computational Biology (M.Sc.) for Students without a B.Sc. in Computational Biology

Graduate students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in Computational Biology are required to complete preparatory (bridging) coursework. Some of these courses will be taken during a designated preparatory year, while others may be completed during the master's program.

The specific list of required preparatory courses will be determined based on the applicant’s academic background.

Admission Requirements for the Preparatory Year

  • Applicants holding a B.Sc. in Life Sciences or Biotechnology* with a minimum undergraduate average grade of 90 or higher.

  • Applicants holding a B.Sc. in Computer Science* with a minimum undergraduate average grade of 80 or higher.

* In certain cases, applicants with bachelor’s degrees in other fields may also be considered. In such cases, the preparatory program will be individually tailored, subject to approval by the Graduate Admissions Committee and based on the recommendation of a prospective research advisor.

 

Conditions of the Preparatory Year

  • Students will be enrolled with conditional M.Sc. student status.

  • Tuition will be charged according to the preparatory courses taken and in accordance with university regulations.

  • Students must complete all preparatory courses with a minimum grade of 80.

In certain cases, these regulations may be modified based on the student’s background and research area, subject to approval by the Graduate Admissions Committee and the research advisor.

Completion of the preparatory requirements does not guarantee admission to the M.Sc. program, as admission is contingent upon securing a suitable research advisor and project. However, experience shows that students who successfully meet the preparatory requirements are typically admitted to the M.Sc. program.

 

Required Preparatory Coursework by Academic Background

For Graduates of Life Sciences or Biotechnology

Courses to be completed during the preparatory year (minimum grade: 80):

  • 80515 – Introduction to Computing (2.5 credits - Semester A)

  • 80513 – Bioinformatics (2 credits - Semester B)

  • 891200 – Data Structures (2.5 credits - Semester B)

  • 891111 – Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming  (2.5 credits - Semester B) 

  • 891195 – Discrete Mathematics (3 credits - Semester A)

  • 89118 – Introduction to Calculus I (2 credits - Semester A)

 

Required Courses During the Master's Program

Note: Some of the following courses serve as preparatory courses, while others are core M.Sc. requirements.

1. Preparatory courses taken during the master's program (in addition to the required 12 graduate credits):

  • 80512 – Computational Biology (2 credits - Semester B)

  • 89220 – Algorithms 1 (2.5 credits - Semester A)

2. Core master's degree requirements (counted toward the required 12 graduate credits):
At least three of the following:

  • 80251 – Python Programming for Bioinformatics (1 credit - Semester A)

  • 80392 – Computational Genomics (2 credits - Semester A)

  • 80561 – Mathematical and Systems Biology (1.5 credits - Semester B)

  • 80586 – Machine Learning and Applications for Biological Data Analysis (1.5 credits - Semester B)

 

For Graduates of the Exact Sciences

Courses to be completed during the preparatory year (minimum grade: 80):

  • 80103 – Cell Biology (1 credit - Semester B)

  • 80701 – Introduction to Biology I (1 credit - Semester A)

  • 80512 – Computational Biology (2 credits - Semester B)

  • 272011 – General and Physical Chemistry (3 credits - Semester A)

  • 272012 – General and Organic Chemistry (1.5 credits - Semester B)

 

Required Courses During the Master's Program

Note: Some of the following courses serve as preparatory courses, while others are core M.S. requirements.

1. Preparatory courses taken during the  master's program (in addition to the required 12 graduate credits):

  • 80201 – Biochemistry I (2.5 credits - Semester A)

  • 80208 – General Genetics (2 credits - Semester A)

  • 80242 – Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering I (2 credits - Semester B)

2. Core  master's degree requirements (counted toward the required 12 graduate credits):
At least three of the following:

  • 80513 – Bioinformatics (required; 2 credits - Semester B)

  • 80392 – Computational Genomics (2 credits - Semester A)

  • 80561 – Mathematical and Systems Biology (1.5 credits - Semester B)

  • 80586 – Machine Learning and Applications for Biological Data Analysis (1.5 credits - Semester B)

 

* The list of required preparatory courses is subject to change. Applicants are advised to verify the current requirements prior to course registration.