1️⃣ Data Analysis for the Life Sciences
A fantastic starting point to learn statistics, R programming, and exploratory data analysis in the context of biology. The best part? It’s available free online from HarvardX.

2️⃣ Practical Computing for Biologists
The very first book I picked up when I started learning computational biology. It’s beginner-friendly and focuses on essential computing skills every biologist needs.

3️⃣ A Primer for Computational Biology
An open-access, hands-on introduction to computational biology concepts and coding techniques. Perfect if you want to learn through real examples.

4️⃣ Computational Genomics with R
For those who already know R and want to dive deeper into genome-scale data analysis, from sequence alignment to gene expression.

5️⃣ The Biologist’s Guide to Computing
Bridges the gap between biological problems and computational thinking, making it easier for life scientists to approach programming and data analysis.

6️⃣ Bioinformatics Data Skills
A must-read to sharpen your bioinformatics toolkit — from command-line skills to reproducible research workflows. Ideal once you’ve covered the basics.

7️⃣ Bioinformatics Workbook
A practical tutorial series to help scientists design bioinformatics projects, analyze data, and understand best practices.

8️⃣ Modern Statistics for Modern Biology
An essential guide to modern statistical methods applied to biology, blending theory with hands-on examples in R.

9️⃣ Algorithms on Strings, Trees, and Sequences by Dan Gusfield
A classic reference for anyone wanting to understand the algorithms behind sequence alignment, genome assembly, and biological data structures.

People using computers were often seen
as helpers, not leaders—
useful, but not essential.

Sometimes, the criticism was direct.
Sometimes subtle.
But the message was the same—
this work doesn’t really count.

Then biology changed.
The questions became bigger,
and experiments alone
were no longer enough.

Organizing knowledge by hand worked once.
Now it needs computers—
to handle scale, speed, and complexity.

Some patterns are simply invisible
if you look at one sample.
You need many—
and the right tools to understand them.

So we started building maps—
of genomes, cells, and systems.
Not perfect,
but extremely useful.

Ideas also had to become clearer.
It’s no longer enough to say something sounds right—
you have to measure it.

The divide between “types” of biologists
never really made sense.
We are solving the same problems—
just in different ways.

Progress didn’t wait for agreement.
It moved forward with data,
with code,
and with careful analysis.

What matters now is simple:
• Biology depends on computation
• Coding is an important skill
• Statistics helps us think clearly
• And the people building these tools
are shaping the future of science

More at https://sites.temple.edu/liberles/

Conference

7th to 8th October 2013
Berlin, Germany

Website: https://www.gtcbio.com/conference/ngseurope-overview
Contact person: Kristen Starkey

We welcome you to join us at GTC’s NGS & Bioinformatics Summit Europe on October 7-8, 2013 in Berlin, Germany.

Organized by: GTC
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 7th September 2013

Few places in Europe where good (and @some places no tution fees) master bioinformatics courses and recommended are:

KU Leuven, Belgium

http://onderwijsaanbod.kuleuven.be/opleidingen/e/CQ_50269018.htm

ETH, Zurich

http://www.cbb.ethz.ch/

University of Copenhagen, Denmark

http://studies.ku.dk/masters/bioinformatics/

University of Helsinki, Finland

http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/en/mbi/

Stockholm University, Sweden

http://www.sbc.su.se/masters/

Universities in Netherlands

http://www.nbic.nl/education/msc-programmes/

TUM , Munich Germany

http://www.mastersportal.eu/studies/865/bioinformatics.html

University of Bergen, Norway

http://www.uib.no/en/studieprogram/MAMN-INF/BI/plan

Goethe-University in Frankfurt am Main

http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/58444439/mabi

Other links:

http://www.masterstudies.com/Masters-Degree/Bioinformatics/Europe/

https://studyinsweden.se/programmes/?query=bioinformatics&period=ht-2016&level=ma&subject=natural-science&university=#search

Link @ http://bioinf.boku.ac.at/

Address of the bookmark: http://gtpb.igc.gulbenkian.pt/bicourses/index.html

for applicants interested in performing high-quality research on the connection between software engineering, database systems, and theoretical computer science as well as their applications in bioinformatics and business informatics. The research programme will start on October 1, 2013 until 30.09.2016. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG).

This research programme is a joint activity of Professors Lehner, Assmann, Baader, Baier, Schill, Schlegel, Schroeder, and Strahringer at TU Dresden. Alongside their research, an individual mentoring and qualification approach are arranged with specialized courses that prepare them optimally for their research, a research seminar where they can meet internationally renowned researchers in the field, and soft skills and language courses.

Requirements: Applicants should have an excellent academic record, and hold a MSc (or an equivalent university degree) in computer science or related disciplines (such as mathematics, bioinformatics or business informatics). Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Applicants with a good knowledge of software engineering or one of the application areas mentioned above are preferred. TU Dresden is committed to increase the proportion of women in research.

Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same applies to disabled people.

Please send enquiries to: wolfgang.lehner@tu-dresden.de

Applications consist of a CV, the names of two referees, transcipts of documents summarizing their academic performance, and a statement of interest. Application by email in pdf format is preferred, and should be submitted to wolfgang.lehner@tu-dresden.de in an electronically signed and encrypted form by July 30, 2013 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service applies). Alternatively, applications can be sent to: TU Dresden, Fakultät Informatik, Institut für Systemarchitektur, Prof.  Dr.-Ing.  Wolfgang Lehner, 01062 Dresden, Germany.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Dresden in the middle of August to give a presentation on their Master’s thesis and discuss their research interest with the participating professors. Candidates that have not yet finished their degree when they send in their application should send preliminary transcripts of their academic records as well as a letter by the thesis adviser that comments on their progress so far and on the expected date of completion of their MSc or equivalent degree.