Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - MBB 110 D100

Data Analysis for Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (3)

Class Number: 4816

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 9, 2025
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    BISC 101; MATH 12 or equivalent is recommended.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introductory data analysis focusing on molecular biology data sets and examples and including basic programming skills using Python and basic statistics skills using R. Students with credit for MBB 243 may not take this course for further credit. CMPT 120 will be accepted in lieu of MBB 110.

COURSE DETAILS:

The purpose of this introductory data analysis course is to teach students in molecular biology or any students who will analyze molecular data, basic knowledge of molecular biology data types, data analysis methods including basic programming skills using Python, and basic statistics skills using R.

Lectures 1-5: Molecular biology review, pseudocode, python fundamentals, control structures, reading and writing to files, regular expressions, working with genomic data.

Lectures 6-10: R fundamentals, exploratory data analysis, introduction to the tidyverse, data visualization with ggplot2, statistical analysis and hypothesis testing.

Grading

  • Lab work: Short lab tasks that must be handed in before the next lab. 20%
  • Assignments: One python and one R assignment. 10% each. 20%
  • Lab quizzes: Short open book canvas quizzes. 10%
  • Midterm and final exams - a mixture of multiple choice, short answer and written questions. (20% each exam) 40%
  • Participation/attendance in labs 10%

NOTES:

Students with credit for CMPT 102, 120, 125, 126, 128 or 130 may not take this course for further credit.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:


  • For help with writing, learning and study strategies please contact the Student Learning Commons at
    http://learningcommons.sfu.ca/
  • Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability, must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (778-782-3112 or e-mail:  caladmin@sfu.ca)

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.