7.QBWx: Quantitative Biology Workshop

Course Description

Welcome to 7.QBWx: Quantitative Biology Workshop, an exciting and innovative course offered by MITx that bridges the gap between biology and computational methods. This intermediate-level course is designed to introduce learners to the fascinating world of quantitative biology, where cutting-edge computational tools are applied to solve complex biological problems.

What Students Will Learn

• Apply quantitative methods to biological problems
• Define computational vocabulary
• Write Python, MATLAB, and R code to analyze biological data
• Examine protein structures using PyMOL
• Develop a step-by-step thought process for answering scientific questions

Prerequisites

While programming experience is not required, students should have completed 7.00x Introduction to Biology or have equivalent knowledge in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. The course will provide introductions to MATLAB, Python, and R programming languages.

Course Coverage

• Population biology
• Biochemical equilibrium and kinetics
• Molecular modeling of enzymes
• Visual neuroscience
• Global and single-cell gene expression
• Development
• Genomics
• Introduction to MATLAB, PyMOL, Python, and R

Who This Course Is For

This course is ideal for students with an interest in biology and quantitative tools, as well as those with computational backgrounds looking to apply their skills to biological problems. It's also perfect for biology students who want to understand how scientists analyze complex data using computational methods.

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course are highly valuable in today's interdisciplinary scientific landscape. Students will be able to:

• Analyze biological data using cutting-edge computational tools
• Contribute to research projects in fields such as genomics, neuroscience, and molecular biology
• Develop a deeper understanding of how quantitative methods are applied in biological research
• Bridge the gap between biology and computer science in their future academic or professional careers
• Apply programming skills to solve complex biological problems
• Visualize and interpret protein structures using PyMOL
• Utilize MATLAB, Python, and R for data analysis in various scientific fields

This course provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the same tools and programs used by professional scientists. By completing this workshop, learners will be well-equipped to explore further studies in computational biology, bioinformatics, or related fields, and will have a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of biological sciences.