I was afraid of programming before the semester started, but fortunately that’s taken into account in Bioinformatics, says a first-year student

You’ve completed your first semester. What has studying bioinformatics given you so far?

So far, it has mainly given me the basics of programming. Considering that I didn’t know anything back in August, I think I’ve made quite a lot of progress, and I believe it will continue that way.

Why did you decide to study bioinformatics in the first place?

In my final year of secondary school, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to study. I’ve always enjoyed natural science subjects, and at the same time I’ve always been attracted to working in research. That’s why I initially applied to study Biochemistry at the Faculty of Science. Later, as part of our biology classes, we had a lecture by a former student and our teacher, who talked about bioinformatics, and it really caught my interest. A few days later, I noticed a flyer promoting a new programme at the Faculty of Informatics – Bioinformatics – so my next application was clear.

Bioinformatics connects the worlds of informatics and natural sciences. Which of these is closer to you? And has that changed during your first semester?

I’m definitely more inclined towards the natural science side of bioinformatics. Before the semester started, I was afraid of programming because I didn’t know anything at all. But fortunately, that’s taken into account in the Bioinformatics programme, and the informatics courses are designed so that even complete beginners like me can manage them.

Which courses did you enjoy the most in your first semester? Did the teaching meet your expectations, or did anything surprise you?

I enjoyed the biochemistry seminar the most. It was taught by two young instructors and was very engaging. We covered the basics of biochemistry, and the classes were quite interactive – they tried to involve us through various movement-based and knowledge-based activities to review and practice the material. The other courses were also informative, and even someone with no prior experience in informatics, like me, could often take something away from them. The only thing that surprised me was mathematics. It was much more demanding than I had expected.

Bioinformatics is not a mass programme with hundreds of students. How do you get along with each other? And what is your impression of the instructors?

I certainly don’t know all of my classmates. Unlike secondary school, you don’t spend eight hours a day with your class and aren’t locked in one room together. Lectures are optional, so not all classmates are ever there at the same time, as some people, for example, have to go to work. We chose our seminar groups right at the beginning of the semester, and we mostly didn’t know each other at all at that point, so everyone chose according to their own preferences. But otherwise, as a group, we get along great – we help each other out and sometimes even go for a beer together. The instructors were very good. Of course, this is very subjective, so it’s impossible for everyone to get along with everyone else, but from my perspective, almost all of them were approachable and tried to make our studies as easy as possible.

And what about exams? How would you describe your first exam period?

The exam period is one of the most demanding times – everyone will tell you that. But personally, I think that apart from one or two courses, the exams in bioinformatics were relatively easy, and you didn’t have to study for dozens of hours, as is often the case in other natural science programmes.

Who would you recommend studying bioinformatics to?

I would recommend bioinformatics to people who are interested in natural sciences, especially biology and genetics, and who would also like to do some programming. From the second semester onwards, we choose whether we want to focus more on programming or dive deeper into the world of natural sciences, so there’s space for both worlds.

Thank you very much for the interview, and we wish you success not only in your studies!

Photo: Štěpán Kubíček Archive

Bioinformatics is not a mass programme with hundreds of students. How do you get along with each other? And what is your impression of the instructors?

I certainly don’t know all of my classmates. Unlike secondary school, you don’t spend eight hours a day with your class and aren’t locked in one room together. Lectures are optional, so not all classmates are ever there at the same time, as some people, for example, have to go to work. We chose our seminar groups right at the beginning of the semester, and we mostly didn’t know each other at all at that point, so everyone chose according to their own preferences. But otherwise, as a group, we get along great – we help each other out and sometimes even go for a beer together. The instructors were very good. Of course, this is very subjective, so it’s impossible for everyone to get along with everyone else, but from my perspective, almost all of them were approachable and tried to make our studies as easy as possible.

And what about exams? How would you describe your first exam period?

The exam period is one of the most demanding times – everyone will tell you that. But personally, I think that apart from one or two courses, the exams in bioinformatics were relatively easy, and you didn’t have to study for dozens of hours, as is often the case in other natural science programmes.

Who would you recommend studying bioinformatics to?

I would recommend bioinformatics to people who are interested in natural sciences, especially biology and genetics, and who would also like to do some programming. From the second semester onwards, we choose whether we want to focus more on programming or dive deeper into the world of natural sciences, so there’s space for both worlds.

Thank you very much for the interview, and we wish you success not only in your studies!

Photo: Štěpán Kubíček Archive