CMSC423 Bioinformatic Algorithms Databases and Tools Lecture 1 Instructor Mihai Pop TuTh 11 12 15 CSIC 1122 INTRODUCTIONS Instructor Mihai Pop mpop at umiacs umd edu http www cbcb umd edu mpop Office hours Thursdays 1 2pm AVW 3223 TA MohammadReza Ghodsi ghodsi at cs umd edu Office hours Mondays Wednesdays 1 2pm AVW 1112 You Class webpage http www cbcb umd edu confcour CMSC423 shtml What is bioinformatics Biology can be viewed as an information science e g DNA is just a string of letters Computers are essential in generating managing and analyzing biological data Bioinformatics or Computational Biology encompasses all applications of computers to the analysis of biological data Why study bioinformatics Exciting field Help biologists figure out what life is all about Work with people different from you bio geeks Many programmer software engineer jobs in biotech industry currently filled by biologists great need for people with CS backgrounds Overview of course No knowledge of biology required Will cover areas of interest in CURRENT bioinformatics research Overall flow data management databases data generation sequencing data analysis extracting meaning Examples based on real data note instructor spent 5 years in a biotech research institute Policies Attendance follow University policy written documentation of illness is required from Dr if possible inform me prior to the class you will skip Students claiming an excused absence must apply in writing and furnish documentary support such as from a health care professional who treated the student for any assertion that the absence qualifies as an excused absence The support should explicitly indicate the dates or times the student was incapacitated due to illness Self documentation of illness is not itself sufficient support to excuse the absence An instructor is not under obligation to offer a substitute assignment or to give a student a make up assessment unless the failure to perform was due to an excused absence An excused absence for an individual typically does not translate into an extension for team deliverables on a project Additional reasons Lectures trump book Homework exam solutions only presented in class Other information only provided in class Policies cont Disabilities must inform me during the first 2 weeks of the semester if special accommodations necessary request letter from Office of Disability Support Service Any student eligible for and requesting reasonable academic accommodations due to a disability is requested to provide to the instructor in office hours a letter of accommodation from the Office of Disability Support Services DSS within the first two weeks of the semester Religious observance must inform me during first 2 weeks of class of any special accommodations no additional requests will be accepted after this deadline Policies cont NO LAPTOPS Caveat If you absolutely need a laptop for note taking 1 You must inform me within first 2 weeks of class 2 You must submit your notes by email to me before leaving class 3 Notes will be graded negative points 2 points off final grade for every instance of incomplete or unsubmitted notes or for laptop use without approval General communication is key talk to me about any issues whether covered or not by University policies Grading workload Homework 10 Goal 5 assignments exercises from textbook small programming assignments discovery exercises find something in public databases or using public software Programming projects 15 15 Project 1 assigned by instructor Project 2 chosen by student 2 in class midterms 25 final 35 Late policy 1 day late 10 points off 2 days late 20 points off 3 days late 0 points Academic Honesty http www studenthonorcouncil umd edu code html No cheating on homeworks projects exams No making up data results No copying of other people s code You can work together on homeworks projects but WRITE THE ANSWER BY YOURSELF I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination Advice how to do well in the class Start early on assignments at least read the assignment after class Ask questions during class exams office hours using email I m available most time by email Be inquisitive follow up on topics discussed in class Google Wikipedia Be social get to know some biologists learn what they do what they are interested in Get to know your colleagues Policies cont COMMUNICATION IS KEY talk to me about any issues whether covered or not by University policies catch me after class during office hours or through email Note add CMSC423 to subject of your emails Glue accounts ssh glue umd edu DIRECTORY afs glue umd edu class fall2008 cmsc 423 0101 Try it out and let me know if there are any problems
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