Foundations of Algorithmic Biology and Computational Genomics

Modern biology is increasingly driven by computational power and elegant algorithmic solutions. This text-based course introduces you to the core algorithms and computational frameworks that power modern bioinformatics, genomic sequence analysis, and structural biology. You will develop a solid conceptual foundation to understand how complex biological questions are formulated into solvable computational problems. What you'll learn: Understand essential biological terminology, nucleic acid structures, and computational data representations; Learn dynamic programming techniques for pairwise and multiple sequence alignment; Apply graph algorithms, including de Bruijn and overlap graphs, to genome assembly; Analyze phylogenetic tree reconstruction methods and evolutionary distance models; Explore modern computational biology topics, including high-throughput sequencing analysis patterns and data processing best practices; Practice algorithmic reasoning through clear written explanations and structured code snippets. The course begins with foundational biological terms and computational concepts before guiding you step-by-step through core sequence analysis and modern algorithmic genomics. Designed for beginners in bioinformatics, computer science students, and developers, this course requires no prior background in biology. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in algorithmic biology.