Who is the course designed for?
The Postgraduate certificate is designed for scientists who need or want to learn more about curating and managing biological data. Biocuration involves the synthesis and organisation of biological information from multiple sources to enable research and interpretation of biological knowledge. It is a diverse and stimulating career alternative for those who wish to leave the bench and pursue a data science career.
Biocurators (also known as data wranglers, research data lead and knowledge engineer) work in a variety of settings, including research institutes, academic institutions as well as commercial and private industry. The skills required for this type of role are multidisciplinary and crossover with those required in data stewardship, data science and biological research more generally.
We expect many applicants will be post-doctoral researchers from a life sciences background, however, we also welcome applications from graduates and postgraduates fresh from higher education.
Aims of the programme
The programme will:
- provide professionally relevant teaching and learning of the knowledge and skills which underpin, and are at the forefront, of the role of a biocurator.
- develop, create and upskill biocurators with the necessary expertise, and originality of application, to pursue and expand their roles in the rapidly evolving environment of biocuration.
- equip biocurators to exercise initiative, personal responsibility and make complex decisions for successful careers in all branches of biocuration, including those in academic, research institute, industrial and health settings.
- promote a comprehensive understanding of, and expertise in, the use of computational techniques as applied to biocuration.
- encourage a commitment to intellectual challenge and the need to engage and interact with user communities.
- provide work relevant learning and practical expertise in the context of a critical awareness of current problems and challenges to ensure development of best-practice in biocuration.
- ensure a systematic understanding of knowledge to facilitate the development of critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills relevant to the career of a biocurator.
- instil the values of Open Science, open access and FAIR principles.
Teaching and learning
The course will be delivered in a blended manner through a mixture of face to face and online delivery. Interactive lectures, webinars, practical demonstrations and workshops, problem based learning and small group working will be delivered and facilitated by experts in the field of biocuration. Teaching sessions integrate academic theory with practical application and allow for discussion and critical appraisal. Online resources, provided through a Virtual Learning Environment, focus on individual study topics, worked examples and the exploration of appropriate resources.
Module 1: Principles of Biocuration
23-25 September 2020
Module 2: Computational skills for Biocuration
8-11 February 2021
Module 3: Open Science, data management and user engagement
14-16 April 2021
The postgraduate certificate is not a distance learning course and attendance in Cambridge for the teaching sessions is required. It is therefore essential that all applicants are available to attend all the teaching events.
The teaching will take place at Madingley Hall and at the Genome Campus from 9am to 6pm. Accommodation can be booked at both venues subject to availability.
A virtual learning environment will support students’ learning throughout the programme.
