BNFO 301 
Introduction to Bioinformatics
Course at a Glance: Overview
Spring 2011 

Name BNFO 301: Introduction to Bioinformatics
Objectives of course Multiple:
  • Help you in your primary task of determining your life's calling:
    (a) what you're good at, (b) what you love doing, and (c) what the world needs done.
  • Help you make progress along the long road towards becoming an independent agent, a producer of new insights and solutions
  • Help you understand how bioinformatics lets us see biology in a new light
  • Help you realize that the tools of bioinformatics are within your grasp
  • (See Objectives for details)
Time and Place MW 9:00-9:50 pm, Life Sci North, Rm 250
M 10:00-10:50 pm, Life Sci Computer Lab, Rm 104 (Section 1)
M 11:00-11:50 pm, Life Sci Computer Lab, Rm 104 (Section 2)
Prerequisites Some familiarity with molecular biology
      (e.g. gained from BIOL 218: Cell Biology)
At whom is the course aimed? Anyone who wants
  • Bioinformatics majors
  • Those who wish to add bioinformatics to their intellectual tool box
  • Those who have their own good reasons
Instructor Jeff Elhai (ElhaiJ at VCU dot Edu)
Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
Teaching Assistant Ranya Abi-Falah (RAbiFalah at VCU dot Edu)
Recommended Text None. Material will be posted.
Also many pre-existing on-line resources
Accomodations for a disability In brief: Come and talk and we'll figure out a solution
In not so brief: Official rights and responsibilities       Official policy