M.Sc. Bioinformatics programme
				    In
			  Sardar Patel University

Sardar Patel University in Vallabh Vidyanagar is going to start an M.Sc programme in
bioinformatics  at  the  department  of  computer science and technology. University 
Grants Commission, New Delhi has approved this programme and is funding it under the
"Innovative Programme" scheme. The  M.Sc  in bioinformatics programme will be of two 
years (with semester system) and will commence from June 2005. 

The other departments involved  in carrying out this programme include department of 
biosciences,  department  of  mathematics  and  department of statistics. The people 
involved in the committee for the programme are as follows:

  * Prof S M Patel, 	Head, Department of Comp. Sci. and Tech., SPU, VVN.
  * Prof D Madamwar, 	Head, Department of Biosciences, SPU, VVN.
  * Prof S J Bhatt, 	Head, Department of Mathematics, SPU, VVN.
  * Prof Shanbhaugue, 	Head, Department of Statistics, SPU, VVN.
  * Dr D B Choksi, 	Reader, Department of Comp. Sci. and Tech., SPU, VVN.
  * Mr R Rajiv, 	Lecturer, Department of Comp. Sci. and Tech., SPU, VVN. 
  * Dr R Subramanium, 	Reader, Department of Biosciences, SPU, VVN.
  * Dr U Trivedi, 	Reader, Department of Biosciences, SPU, VVN.
  * Dr A B Patel, 	Reader, Department of Mathematics, SPU, VVN.
  * Dr D J Karia, 	Reader, Department of Mathematics, SPU, VVN.
  * Dr P A Patel, 	Reader, Department of Statistics, SPU, VVN.

The  course  has  been  designed  in  such  a  manner  that  a person with a biology 
background or with a computer science (it should be noted  that a person will posses 
only one of them with the existing structure of the education system) may easily get
mould himself/herself into the  course  curriculum.  Moreover, the course focuses on 
understanding of  various  biological  problems,  concentrate  on  the computational 
complexities  and   thus   intend  to  train  the   people in usage, development and 
application of IT based tools and technology for providing solution to the specific 
needs.

As  the  area  of bioinformatics itself may be considered as an innovative merger of 
multiple  disciplines such as Biosciences (Computational Biology), Computer Science, 
Mathematics  and  Statistics.  The course too tends to become innovative, as it will 
bring out trained professionals to fulfill the market demand.

The course aims not only to educate and initiate research work in this direction but 
also  targets  to  create a talent pool of professionals from various fields who can 
contribute  for  the  growth  and  propriety of bioinformatics as a career in India. 
Sardar  Patel  University  always tries to identify such thrust areas by interacting 
with  the  society,  academicians and industry, and as a result provide solutions to 
fulfill their demands.

The  university  wishes  to  have input from and output to the resources institutes. 
Resource institutes may be considered in the four quadrant as follows:

1. 	The FOUR Departments of the university, namely:
	Post Graduate Dept of Comp Sci & Tech, Dept of Biosciences, 
	Dept of Mathematics, 
	Dept of Statistics

2.	Other  National  and  international  Academic  institutes  such as Pharmacy, 
	Agricultural,Veterinary, Medical Institutes/colleges.

3.	National and International  research and development centers such as various 
	Pharma Industries

4.	Hardware and  Software  vendors  such  as IBM, HP, WIPRO with their academic 
	contribution.

In the same  matter university would like to invite various academic institutes such 
as Pharmacy, Agricultural,  Veterinary,  Medical Institutes/colleges to come forward 
and share their expertise through this course.

It is expected that this model of education will provide multi-dimensional growth to 
have faster and more meaningful approach.