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2025-2026 / INFO0205-2

Introduction to IT and applications to biology

Duration

12h Th, 18h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor in biology3 crédits 

Lecturer

Patrick Meyer

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course is a short introduction to computer science aimed at students in life sciences. The history of computer technology and the basic working principle of a computer are presented and connected to biology. Some basic concepts of programming are introduced using the programming language.

The practical use of spreadsheets is also introduced.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

- Information in terms of bits and bytes.
- The working principle of a computer.
- The basic elements of programming  (basic data types, elementary operations, algorithmic tools, functions).
- Spreadsheets.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Practical exercises (distant) on the computer will take place in parallel to the course. The schedule is available via institutional tools.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Blended learning


Further information:

The course is given face to face (if possible) but the exercises are given online:

For the practical part, the programming language chosen is C++. This choice is teaching-oriented and will be explained during the course.

-short videos are available on our webpage in order to solve the exercises

-the software Rstudio and the C++ compiler are freely available online. Our server with pre-installed software can be made available in order to facilitate exercises and exams.

-Interrogations could take place at the end of a lesson via the ecampus plateform (the schedule for the potential interrogations is available via institutional tools).

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Other site(s) used for course materials
- Site du cours (http://www.bioinfo.uliege.be/classes/INFO0205/)


Further information:

The slides of the course as well as some supplementary material are available on the website of the course. In particular, one can find there

http://www.bioinfo.uliege.be/classes/INFO0205/

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )

Out-of-session test(s)


Further information:

The examination takes place within one single session of 2 hours on computers. It consists in writing a few computer programs (texts) and answering a few theoretical questions (QCM, textsl,...).

Ecampus interrogations can be organized (see schedule on the first course as well as on the webpage). In the latter case, those can contribute to the first session grading.

The level of the questions for interros and/or exam is close to the last exercises made previous to the test. The first exercises are mainly there to provide a progressive basis for the more important and ulterior ones.

In case of a second sess, the exam covers the whole grading (no bonus nor negative points from the year will remain).

Exams are individual works (not-assisted by AI or other students).

Unless specified otherwise, no other tools than those specified (computer with only Ecampus and the official software of the course open) can be used (i.e. no phone, calculator or even sheets of paper are allowed at the exam).

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

This course is normally given in the spring term of the second year. It comprises 5 to 6 sessions of 2 hours each (face to face). 

The practical sessions comprises 10 sessions of 2 hours and are online.

Contacts

Teaching Assistant: bioinformatics@uliege.be

 

Prof. Patrick Meyer
Life Sciences Department

Tél: 04/366 3030
email:  patrick.meyer@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs

There is no MOOC associated with this course.


Additional information:

http://www.bioinfo.uliege.be/classes/INFO0205/