Training Program in Computational Biology

描述（由申请人提供）：计算和定量方法现在是生物学研究的重要组成部分。现在迫切需要既精通计算科学又精通生命科学的科学家。我们建议通过哥伦比亚大学计算生物学博士前培训计划继续解决这一需求。我们的主要目标是培养年轻科学家使用计算方法在生物学领域进行开创性和高影响力的研究。我们将通过提供生命和计算科学的必要背景以及通过指导学生的研究项目来实现这一目标。学生将被训练成为计算生物学一个领域（如系统生物学）的专家，对另一个领域（如结构生物学）有很好的了解，并对他们专业领域（如遗传学或神经科学）的实验生物学有深入的了解。在最初的资助阶段——正如NIGMS培训计划指南所建议的那样——我们把重点放在课程和课程开发上，使用了一小群具有不同科学背景的高素质学员。我们项目培养的学生已经取得了令人振奋的科学突破，并发表了备受瞩目的文章。在此申请中，我们建议扩展已开发的项目，以容纳哥伦比亚大学大量合格的学生，并为该项目申请8个名额。该计划的课程将根据学生的背景和兴趣量身定制，并将由4x2方案组成：至少2门生命科学课程（如生物化学，细胞生物学），2门定量学科课程（如机器学习，统计学），2门计算生物学课程（如计算系统生物学，生物物理学），以及上述任何领域的2门选修课。学生将能够在C2B2研究生项目或13个附属部门和项目以及20个培训项目教师的实验室中获得博士学位，代表定量和生命科学学科。学生们还将通过轮岗（包括在实验室的轮岗）、指导下的独立学习、口头资格考试、研讨会、静修和期刊俱乐部等方式学习。该项目将由哥伦比亚大学计算生物学和生物信息学中心（C2B2）主任Barry Honig博士指导，关键的项目决策将由项目执行委员会做出。完成我们的博士课程平均需要5年的时间，我们通常会为计算生物学学生提供2-3年的支持。我们将尽一切努力招收和留住少数民族、贫困家庭和残疾学生。我们将继续通过从这些团体中积极招募合格的学生来实现这一目标。所有学生都要考1分

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Computational and quantitative methods are now an essential part of biological research. There is an urgent need for scientists who are expert in both computational and life sciences. We propose to continue addressing this need through the Columbia University predoctoral Training Program in Computational Biology. Our main goal is to train young scientists to do pioneering and high-impact research in biology using computational methods. We will accomplish this goal by providing the necessary background in both life and computational sciences and through mentored student research projects. The students will be trained to be experts in one area of computational biology (e.g. systems biology), have a good knowledge of another area (e.g. structural biology), and have an in-depth understanding of experimental biology in the area of their specialization (e.g. genetics or neuroscience). In the initial funding period - as suggested by the NIGMS training program guidelines - we focused on course and curriculum development using a small group of highly qualified trainees with diverse scientific backgrounds. Students trained by our program have already made exciting scientific breakthroughs and published high-profile articles. In this application we propose to expand the developed program to accommodate a large number of qualified students at Columbia and request 8 slots for the program. The program coursework will be tailored to students' backgrounds and interests, and will consist of a 4x2 scheme: at least 2 courses in life sciences (e.g. biochemistry, cell biology), 2 courses in quantitative subjects (e.g. machine learning, statistics), 2 courses in computational biology (e.g. computational systems biology, biophysics), and 2 electives from any of the above areas. Students will be able to earn doctoral degrees in the C2B2 Graduate Program or in the 13 affiliated departments and programs and in the laboratories of 20 training program faculty, representing both quantitative and life science disciplines. The students will also learn from rotations (including ones in experimental labs), guided independent study, an oral qualification exam, seminars, retreats, and journal clubs. The program will be directed by Dr. Barry Honig, Director of the Columbia University Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (C2B2), and crucial program decisions will be made by the program's Executive Committee. It takes on average 5 years to complete our Ph.D. program and we will typically support computational biology students for a 2-3 year period. We will make every effort to recruit and retain students who belong to minority groups, come from underprivileged backgrounds, or are disabled. We will continue to accomplish this goal by actively recruiting qualified students from these groups. All students will be required to take a 1 semester course in responsible conduct of research.