This course is designed for infectious diseases professionals seeking a fundamental understanding of bioinformatics and how it applies microbial genomics.

It's ideal for infectious diseases physicians, medical registrars, medical microbiologists, epidemiologists, public health physicians, laboratory scientists, as well as other health professionals.

There are no eligibility requirements.

This course is delivered in partnership with the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory and Doherty Applied Microbial Genomics research centre.

This unique industry alignment means you can be confident your learning is contemporary and based on real-world industry needs.

By the end of this course, you'll be able to:

• Explain bioinformatics theory as applied to microbial genomics (with a focus on high-level concepts, quality control and impact on data analysis, and use of pipelines).
• Explain and undertake genome assembly, annotation and genome characterization analyses (focus on use of these approaches for identifying and investigation of genes and genomic structures, speciation and use of databases)
• Explain and undertake sequence read mapping and variant calling analyses (with a focus on use of these approaches for identifying and investigating antimicrobial resistance mutations)
• Explain and undertake basic phylogenetic analyses (focus on use of this approach for outbreak investigation)

This course runs over four weeks, including self-directed learning, guided learning, and two weeks to complete assessment tasks.

Your total time commitment is approximately 40 hours, which includes:

• 2 live session webinars
• 4 module drop-in sessions
• 2 assessment task drop in sessions
• 4 hours self-directed learning
• 16 hours assessment tasks

Assessment:

• Application of bioinformatic analysis approaches to diverse scenarios (40%)
• Independent analysis of pathogen genomic data (60%)

Once you've successfully completed this course, you will be awarded your Microbial Genomics: Bioinformatic Analysis Basics Melbourne MicroCert. This digital certificate will warrant the achievement of knowledge, skills and capabilities outlined in the learning outcomes. It may also include artefacts (such as videos and written material) related to both experiential and work-integrated learning, including translatable assessment that is practical to your professional life. You can also share your Melbourne MicroCert digitally and via social media by adding it to your personal platforms, such as LinkedIn. See example certificate.

Microbial Genomics: Bioinformatics Analysis Basics can be taken as a stand-alone course or complemented with any other course in the Applied Pathogen Genomics series to deepen your knowledge and skills.

The series includes:

• Microbial Genomics: DNA Sequencing Basics
• Microbial Genomics: Bioinformatic Analysis Basics
• Microbial Genomics: Applications for Public Health
• Microbial Genomics: Applications for Clinical Sciences.

It is recommended you complete Microbial Genomics: DNA Sequencing Basics as the first offering in the series, then proceed to this one before completing the rest.

This course is predominantly self-directed learning, with opportunities to engage with your cohort and field experts, providing both flexibility and support.

You’ll work through written and recorded materials at your own pace, participate in group discussions, and receive valuable guidance and feedback from your course facilitators.

You’ll also complete practical activities, including the use of an online genomics platform, Galaxy, to begin to apply your knowledge of bioinformatics.

There is no set expiry date.