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SynthSys. Sys tems training in M aths I nformatics and C omputational Biology. OU. UCL. Birkbeck. The background to SysMIC - alignment. In 2003 BBSRC ten-year vision for the biosciences: bioscience research to become more quantitative and predictive in nature .
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SynthSys Systems training in Maths Informatics and Computational Biology OU UCL Birkbeck
The background to SysMIC - alignment • In 2003 BBSRC ten-year vision for the biosciences: • bioscience research to become more quantitative and predictive in nature. • A key priority in BBSRC’s Strategic Plan 2010-2015: • expand training provision in mathematical, computational and systems biology for bioscience researchers. • Chose development of: • a custom web-based resource to expand mathematical skills across the UK bioscience community. • Offered up to £1M over 5 years to provide this.
Biology Complexity Statistics Uncertainty Data Mathematics Medicine Agriculture Physics Engineering Computing Systems theory
What we pitched Each modules is 6 months work (5 hours / week) 1: basic skills 2: advanced skills 3: (semi) supervised project 4: MatLab and R for the “heavy lifting” The BBSRC community ≈ 5000 at steady state - PhD students (*) - Post doctoral fellows - PI’s (any level of seniority) - Everyone else 1,250 places over 4 years
SysMIC The outcome-oriented selection of course content Ecosystems Sub-cellular Multicellular Organisms Cellular Functions & change Linear systems Graphs & Networks Probability & statistics Functions of n-variables Discrete systems ODE’s & non-linear systems Diffusion systems Data handling Problem and case study learning pathways
Innovations: Interactive Textbook Maintains LaTex feel
Innovations: Embedded maths javascript library from MathJax.org
Interactivity 4 comments
Students progress Impressive engagement considering the nature of the course and students.
The future Course is underway and running smoothly. Basic infrastructure and materials have been created. • Key plans • Enrich materials – movies, links out • Add functionality to textbook • Develop more applets • Add tools for student-led learning • Live events • PDRAs and PIs • Beyond BBSRC: UK RCs, charities, outside UK
The future eLDG – Open badges (Phil Lewis) KTC –Study groups, self-progression tools Execution - steering and responding to feedback “Indutrial SysMIC” – Sparking Impact Award / CPD De-risking in the age of MOOCs Getting to the exploitation phase,
The SysMIC team • Birkbeck • Adrian Shepherd Bioinformatics / computer science • James Smith Bioinformatics / mathematical biology • Edinburgh • Stephen Gilmore Systems biology / computer science • DimitriosMilious Systems biology / computer science • The Open University • David Crowe Mathematics • Uwe Grimm Mathematics • David Morse Computer science • Rob Saunders Biology / genetics • UCL • Chris Barnes Physics / bioinformatics / systems biology • GeroldBaier Physics / mathematical biology / neuroscience • Phil Lewis Physics / computing / e-Learning • Nadine Mogford Course administration • John Shawe-Taylor Computer science / mathematics • Geraint Thomas Biochemistry / cell biology / mathematical modelling