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CIS326 Bioinformatics III

Instructor: Falcon Chu
Email: helpdesk@ksi.edu
Phone: 847 679-3135
Fax: 847 679-3166

Course Description

This course is an extension of the two preceding classes on Bioninformatics. More advanced work will be conducted in Perl programming, and students will learn how to create attractive graphics applications by using Perl TK. The course will also review the basics of relational database systems, and then concentrate on the unique Perl modules that provide an interface with relevant relational databases, including MySQL. The final part of the course will cover such topics as BioPerl and its many critical usages. BioPerl is a collection of more than 500 Perl modules used in Bioinformatics, and is maintained by an international team of volunteers. The prerequisite for the course is CIS 325, or relevant training at another institution.

Textbook

Mastering Perl for Bioinformatics, by James D. Tisdall
Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc (ISBN 0-596-00307-2)

Mastering Perl/Tk, by Steve Lidie and Nancy Walsh
Publisher: O'Reilly & Associates, Inc (ISBN 1-56592-716-8)

Hardware and Software The essential software for the course is open-source and should be installed on an IBM-compatible PC under Windows 98, NT, ME, 2000 or XP. In addition, these online documents are available for reference:

  • ActiveState's Perl, v. 5.8.6 or higher versions built for MSWin32-x86-multithread (www.perl.org)
  • CPAN (Comprehensive Perl Archive Network) script v. 1.01 and CPAN.pm v.1.7601 (www.cpan.org)
  • ActiveState's Perl/Tk v. 804.027 (www.PerlTk.org), a document that can be downloaded from CPAN

Course Requirements

Successful completion of the course requires writing five programming assignments and finishing four tests. The programming assignments will be 50% of the grade, the tests 40% and class participation 10%.

Students must submit assignments and projects by the due date in order to avoid losing credit for lateness. Students will receive an Incomplete if they fail to submit two or more of the assignments and projects and miss either the mid-term or final exam. Students will fail the course if they attend less than half of the classes or fail to submit three or more assignments and projects. Students receiving an Incomplete will have 15 days to complete all unfinished work. Receiving an Incomplete at the end of the term will preclude receiving more than a "B" for the final grade.

Each student will submit original work in order to receive credit for the course. Please consult the KSI Policy on Academic Dishonesty. Team members are expected to cooperate only with members of their own team. Programs are to be run on an IBM PC or similar products such as are available in the computing labs, using the ActiveState's Perl software already indicated. Perl and Perl/Tk source programs with the extension .pl and Perl module program with .pm are to be submitted as an email attachment for each project assigned. Students should keep backup copies of each program.

Course Topics:

  1. Restriction Enzymes - 1
  2. Restriction Enzymes - 2
  3. Lab/Seminar
  4. Perl and Relational Databases
  5. Perl and the Web
  6. Lab/Seminar
  7. Perl and Graphics - 1
  8. Perl and Graphics - 2
  9. Perl and Graphics - 3
  10. Lab/Seminar
  11. Introduction to BioPerl
  12. Restriction Enzymes - 3