Please note that this 2-day course will be streamed over 4 half-days, in the afternoon of the following dates:
* 26 May 2025
* 2 June 2025
* 16 June 2025
* 23 June 2025

Overview

With the rise of new technologies, the volume of omics data in biology and medicine has grown exponentially recently. A significant issue is to mine useful predictive knowledge from these data. Machine learning (ML) is a discipline in which computer algorithms perform automated learning by using data to assist humans in dealing with large volumes of multidimensional data. The analysis of such data is not trivial, and ML is a necessary tool to extract knowledge and make predictions that can advance the field of bioinformatics.

This 2-day course will introduce participants to common ML algorithms and how to apply them to omics data in extensive practical sessions. The practical sessions will be conducted in Python3 based on the widely applied scikit-learn ML framework. The course will comprise a number of hands-on exercises and challenges where the participants will acquire a first understanding of the standard ML methods and processes, as well as the practical skills in applying them to real world problems using publicly available biological or medical data sets.

Audience

This course is intended for PhD students, post-docs and staff scientists who are interested in applying ML to analyze these data.

Learning objectives

At the end of the course, the participants are expected to:
* Explain the ML taxonomy and the commonly used machine learning algorithms for analysing omics data
* Describe differences between ML approaches and in which situations they can be applied
* Critically evaluate applications of ML in omics studies
* Implement common ML algorithms using the scikit-learn Python framework
* Interpret and visualize the results obtained from ML analyses

Prerequisites

Knowledge / competencies

No prior knowledge of ML concepts and methods is required.

Knowledge of different omics data is recommended.

Familiarity with the Python programming language and pandas data frames as well as a basic knowledge on statistics is required.

The competences and knowledge levels required correspond to those taught in courses such as: First Steps with Python in Life Sciences and Introduction to statistics with R.
Test your skills with Python and statistics with the quiz here, before registering.

Technical

This course will be streamed, you are thus required to have your own computer with an Internet connection.

Additionally, you will need to have a recent python3 as well as a number of python libraries installed. Please follow these instructions to setup your environment (note: these instructions use conda to manage the different packages)

Please perform these installations PRIOR to the course and contact us if you have any trouble.

Finally, although not mandatory, we also highly recommend you to use the same computer to connect to the zoom classroom and perform the exercises, otherwise we will have difficulties helping you debug your code.

Application

The registration fees for academics are 200 CHF and 1000 CHF for for-profit companies.

While participants are registered on a first come, first served basis, exceptions may be made to ensure diversity and equity, which may increase the time before your registration is confirmed.

Applications will close on 12/05/2025 or as soon as the places will be filled up. Deadline for free-of-charge cancellation is set to 12/05/2025. Cancellation after this date will not be reimbursed. Please note that participation to SIB courses is subject to our general conditions.

You will be informed by email of your registration confirmation. Upon reception of the confirmation email, participants will be asked to confirm attendance by paying the fees within 5 days.

Venue and Time

Please note that this 2-day course will be streamed over 4 half-days, from 14:00 to 17:30 CET of the following dates:
* 26 May 2025
* 2 June 2025
* 16 June 2025
* 23 June 2025

More information will be provided to the registered participants one week before the course starts.

Additional information

Coordination: Monique Zahn, SIB Training group.

We will recommend 0.50 ECTS credits for this course (given a passed exam at the end of the course).

You are welcome to register to the SIB courses mailing list to be informed of all future courses and workshops, as well as all important deadlines using the form here.

SIB abides by the ELIXIR Code of Conduct. Participants of SIB courses are also required to abide by the same code.

For more information, please contact training@sib.swiss.