Programme description

Bioinformatics is a scientific discipline born due to the development of molecular biology and the invention of new research techniques. The amount and variety of biological data obtained at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries increased to such an extent that it was necessary to use complex computer computational methods for their analysis. At the same time, the problem of storing and searching enormous amounts of information emerged, and concepts of computer simulation and modeling of biological processes emerged.

Bioinformatics is a forward-looking, interdisciplinary study created in response to the growing demand for specialists who can translate selected issues related to biology and medicine into a programming language.

Bioinformatics studies are aimed at people interested in the mechanisms of action of living organisms and the latest techniques for collecting and processing information. It is a direction for those who like mathematics and programming and chemistry and biology (particularly sections on genes and proteins and molecular mechanisms of evolution).

Information regarding Faculty

Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology is Poland's best research and didactic unit. Research conducted at the Faculty of Biological Sciences and Humanities focused on the processes taking place at the cellular, molecular and atomic levels in plants, animals, and microorganisms. As part of its activities, the department cooperates with several dozen centers in Poland and worldwide. Also, it carries out research projects with companies from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

The Faculty building is located on the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival in the southwest of Kraków and other natural and science faculties of the Jagiellonian University. There are perfectly equipped laboratories and computer rooms that allow students to know specialized and advanced research techniques. Students may use the Natural Science Library that contains a multidisciplinary collection of books and magazines regarding biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, biology, zoology, geography, and related sciences.

The study programmes implemented at the Faculty received several awards from national institutions dealing with assessing the quality of education.

👉  Learn more about the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology

Rankings, distinctions, accreditations

• Status of the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) between 2014 and 2018
• Scientific category A in the main discipline of Biological Sciences awarded to the Jagiellonian University in Kraków by the decision of the Minister of Education and Science

Curriculum overview

In the programme curriculum, you may find information about the subjects you will attend while studying this programme. The programme indicates which subjects are scheduled for each semester of the studies, which are mandatory, which belong to the group of elective subjects (so-called optional subjects), which of them end with an exam, and which do not. Each subject in such a programme curriculum has its syllabus, which is a description of what students learn within the scope of that subject.

Student’s life

Time spent at the university is not all about education and class participation; it is also an excellent opportunity to develop hobbies and interests. Many research societies and student organizations work at the Jagiellonian University, including faculty- and university-wide ones. These societies allow students to spend their free time actively, gain knowledge, develop their talents, participate in engaging, unconventional projects, go on research and team-building trips, participate in conferences and meet fellow students outside the lecture halls. There are four student research groups at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, f. e. Student Research Group 'In Silico'.

Students interested in the international dimension of studying can participate in a wide variety of exchange programmes such as Erasmus+, CEEPUS, Utrecht Network, exchange programmes within Bilateral Agreements or European university Una Europa, or participate in a domestic mobility programme called MOST. At the second-cycle programme, students may also apply for an 11-month scientific internship under the BioLab–The Visiting Research Graduate Traineeship programme offered by four USA universities.

More than just studies

• International student exchange
• Student Government of the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology

From our students

Kinga
I expected interdisciplinary studies, and I was not disappointed. Bioinformatics perfectly combines my love for biology and chemistry with mathematical and IT curiosity. On the one hand, it enables me to drill down, to reach the ball on the thread, i.e., to descend to a lower and lower level of the structure of the living world, and on the other - to look at this complex system synthetically.

Admission to studies

Admission to study programmes at the Jagiellonian University is conducted electronically in the Online Application System: irk.uj.edu.pl. If you have any questions related to admission, please contact the Admissions Office directly or visit the websites: welcome.uj.edu.pl and irk.uj.edu.pl.

Detailed information about admission to this study programme, including information on the method of calculating the result, qualification criteria, fees, deadlines, and a list of required documents are available on the Online Application System (IRK): irk.uj.edu.pl

Transfer from other university or study programme

Transfer from another university, including a foreign one, or change of study programme within the University is possible with the dean's consent after completing the first year of studies and fulfilling additional requirements established by the Faculty Council. For inquiries regarding transfer, please contact the unit responsible for the specific study programme directly.

Graduates

Completing studies in bioinformatics gives graduates proficiency in programming, creating and operating databases, knowledge of algorithms and data structures, and well-established expertise in the field of life sciences, particularly biochemistry, cell biology, and genomics. This unique set of skills makes them candidates more and more often sought after by research teams at universities and research and development institutions and companies from the life science industry (pharmaceutical, bioinformatics, biotechnology, etc.). Bioinformatics can also find a job in the IT sector.

Further education possibilities

• Doctoral School, f.e. Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences
• Second-cycle programmes
• Post diploma programmes

Offer for school

The following events are conducted in Polish – to find out about the offer for English-speaking audience, please get in touch with the organizer directly. Additionally, due to the current pandemic, some faculty and university events may be canceled or conducted in a form other than that described below.

Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Biotechnology offers the following events:

• “Meetings at noon with biochemistry, biophysics, and biotechnology,” a series of autumn lectures and mini-workshops focused on various issues conducted by employees of the Faculty
• Lectures “Meetings on the verge of biology, chemistry, and physics” taking place on the turn of winter and spring, organised together with Youth Society of Friends of Sciences and Arts (Młodzieżowym Towarzystwem Przyjaciół Nauk i Sztuk) and devoted to topics that can be heard in the media and socially important
• The plant event is organized every two years in May under the international campaign called “Fascinating World of Plants.”
• “BIO is cool” event is organized every two years in May. During this event, employees of the Faculty are trying to explain what modern biochemistry, biotechnology, and biophysics are focused on.

Complete offer, additional information regarding particular events, and contact details for people interested in participating are available on the Faculty’s website.

We invite all schools to take part in the cycle of meetings "University Closer to You – visits to the Jagiellonian University". The aim of the meetings during the tours is to familiarize students with the history of our University through a rich educational offer (lectures, workshops, laboratory classes, etc.). The current programme of the event is available on the organizer's website – the Centre for Communications and Marketing of the Jagiellonian University.

The Jagiellonian Library offers tours of both the old and new parts of the building. The tour programme includes presentations on the history of the Library and the building itself, as well as a visit to the Department of Depositories. The offer of the Collegium Maius includes lessons on "The Trail of Science" and "The Trail of History and Art," as well as interactive online classes. We also invite you to explore the educational offer of the Botanical Garden, the Nature Education Centre, the Confucius Institute, and the Museum of Anatomy.

Contact

The study programme is conducted at the Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology located in the Campus of the 600th Anniversary of the JU Revival, so-called the Third Campus, in Kraków’s district – Ruczaj. For more information, please contact:

sekretariat.wbbib@uj.edu.pl

ul. Gronostajowa 7
30-387 Kraków, Poland
Phone: (+48) 12 664 54 51, 664 60 00

wbbib.uj.edu.pl

Other programmes that may interest you

• Molecular and Cell Biophysics (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish
• Biochemistry (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish
• Biotechnology (Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology) – programme in Polish
• Applied Computer Science (Faculty of Physics, Astronomy, and Applied Computer Science) – programme in Polish
• Biology (Faculty of Biology) – programme in Polish