The research goal of ComBi is to develop computational, mathematical, and statistical methods and models for biological sciences. To that end, ComBi will educate Ph.D.'s with high-quality methodological expertise. In their thesis work the students are expected to apply this expertise to computational, data analysis, or modeling problems in biology or in some related field. The thesis projects are carried out in close cooperation with one or more research groups in the application area.
Computational biology is a new field of research which develops models and software implementations for computational problems in molecular biology, biotechnology, and genetics. Such means are needed both in the basic research and in the industrial applications of biotechnology. Computer-aided DNA sequencing, sequence comparison, prediction of protein structures, docking of molecules, and the interpretation of electron microscopy or NMR data are examples of typical computationally intensive tasks. Bioinformatics refers to the development and use of (molecular) biological databases.
Biometry investigates statistical modeling problems related for example to genetic mapping (linkage analysis), to the genetic and environmental risk factors of complex diseases, or to the spreading of infectious diseases. Further topics include population dynamics and numerical taxonomy with applications to ecology, microbiology, and genetics. Management of spatial data (GIS) is also often needed.
ComBi incorporates the following departments and institutions that provide the methodological education of the school:
The application oriented part of the thesis work of the students of ComBi will be done in cooperation with suitable research groups working at the universities mentioned above or at other institutions.
The school is coordinated by the Department of Computer Science of the University of Helsinki. Professor Esko Ukkonen is the Director of ComBi.
ComBi provides a program aiming at a doctoral degree in four years on the basis of a master's degree. The master's degree should preferably be in computer science, (applied) mathematics, or statistics. However, a degree in natural sciences (e.g., biological sciences, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, biotechnology) or in engineering is possible, provided that the student has sufficient knowledge of computational and mathematical methods.
The student is appointed a supervising professor, with whom a personal study plan is made. A central principle of the school is that a major part of the thesis work is carried out by participating in the research work in some biological application area. The student is formally enrolled at the university of his/her supervising professor.
The studies consist of courses and seminars (about 20 %) and research work leading to a Ph.D. thesis. The student should take at least three of the five general courses organized by the school. The rest of the courses should be selected individually according to the special field of the thesis project. Most of the courses and seminars are arranged during the normal academic semesters (January to May, September to December), but some intensive courses are also planned during summer and winter breaks. Moreover, the school aims at organizing and financing working periods abroad for its students.
The progress of the student is followed by his/her supervisor and at the joint seminars arranged by the school. The student must report on his/her progress twice a year. The student should present a thesis proposal by the end of the second year, and the thesis is expected to be finished by the end of the fourth year. The studies end with a public defense of the thesis.