FAQ about the Bioinformatics Master's Program
Most of this is mainly relevant for international students.
Application – how to apply
Bachelor background
All students with a background in the natural sciences (with the exception of geography and geology), as well as pure mathematical and engineering fields can be admitted to the program. The program has had successfull students from Computer Science, Biology, Biophysics, Physics, Molecularbiology, Statistics, Mathematics and more. Typically, about half the students are from a life science background
Part of the program will be tailored to your background - typically, life science students will learn statistics and programming while those who have no biological background will have courses in cell biology.
Cost of living
Please look at the information on the page for the international office. http://www.ku.dk/international/
Courses
The courses are separated into 3 group:
- Core courses (courses you have to take and pass). These include
- Pre-requisite courses (courses that helps you to catch up on the knowledge that you do not have through your bachelor, including
- Special courses (advanced bioinformatics courses or smaller individual research projects)
More detailed information on courses within the program can be found here .
It is possible to take courses at the Faculty of Science, Life or Health atthe University of Copenhagen (browse available courses here ) but you can also take courses at other universities for example at DTU (Danish Technical University) or at ITU (the IT – university).
How to find a place to live
Copenhagen is an expensive town and it is fairly difficult to findsomewhere to live. There are hostels, and private rooms to rent but donot expect to find your own flat in a weeks time.
You can try to look at the links below (but they are mostly in Danish)
www.boligportal.dk (Search: Udlejningssektion/København/Udleje – søg bolig)
www.dba.dk (Search: Bolig Have/Bolig/Værelser)
www.casaswap.com (International student home exchange forum)
www.hotelmetropol.dk (Rooms can be rented on a monthly basis)
www.9smaahjem.dk (Rooms can be rented on a monthly basis)
Internships
We are sorry to inform you that we do not have the capacity to take in internships and students for summer jobs.
Department of Biology
The Bionformatic centre is a centre under Department of Biology the homepage is www.bio.ku.dk
Language tests
If you are a Non-native speaker of English, you are also required toprovide proof of your English language proficiency equivalent to TOEFLscore 213 or University of Cambridge ELTS score 6.0. Proof of this mustbe forwarded directly from the testing centre to the University ofCopenhagen. For further information you can look at the link below.
http://studies.ku.dk/admission/guest_students/
Letter of intent (motivated letter)
As a supplement to the application form YOU have to write amotivated letter stating why you would like to study Bioinformatics. Itis important that the letter states you own views, your ideas, what youwant to do after the degree etc.
Letters of recomendation
You can submit letters of recommendation to your application.
Paperwork – before leaving for Denmark and after arriving.
When you have decided to move to Denmark there will be some paperwork. To make the paperwork a little easier the personel deparmenthas made a homepage. (see link below)
You are also very welcome to ask on info@binf.ku.dk for assistance in this matter. http://www.ku.dk/pers/HRM/
Phd students / scholarships
All phd positions will be announced on the www.binf.ku.dk, on www.ku.dk/pers/stillinger. Most positions will also be announced broadly through internatinoal journals.
Resident permit
Please look for the updated information on the homepage from theinternational office and you will also be able to find some informationon http://www.ku.dk/pers/hrm/
Social life
The social life at the centre is good as the centre is fairly small.Students as well as staff speak English. The University is situatedvery near the centre of Copenhagen and the students use the facilitiesin town. At the centre we have a movie club and there are also othersocial gatherings. For more information on this topic you couls alsolook at the page where some of the students descripe themselves.
List of other links: http://www.studenterhuset.com/
Studying in Denmark
If you want information on what it is like living in Denmark you could try to look at the following links. http://www.ciriusonline.dk/Default.aspx?ID=3999
The International office
The main tasks of the international office is to administratebachelor students from other countries but you will be able to findsome interesting information on their homepage www.ku.dk/international/english
University of Copenhagen
Please look at the official homepage for the University: www.ku.dk
Student fees
EU citizens do not have to pay course fees. Other nationals have to pay fees. However, there are scholarships from the Danish state that students can apply for. The International Office has further information.
What is the language of the courses
All the courses in the bioinformatics program are taught in English. External courses are in Danish or English, but it is fairly easy to put together an individual study path where all courses are in English.
Working in Denmark (along with your studies)
The programme is a full time programme ie. you should expect atleast 37 hours of work a week and the workload will during some periodsbe larger. Some students manage to find a spare time job so they willbe able to earn some extra pocket money.
