Bioinformatics, (e.g. Genomics, mathamatical biology, medical informatics) are among the most rapidly growing fields of biotechnology. Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. Computers are used to gather, store, analyze and integrate biological and genetic information which can then be applied to gene-based drug discovery and development. It integrates basic and applied research in gene mapping, molecular cloning, large-scale restriction mapping, and DNA sequencing and computational analysis. The supply of such scientists is nowhere near sufficient to keep up with the demand.
Salary Information Surveys for general computer positions http://www.computerjobs.com/salary2000/
Career profile of a systems specialist
Links
http://recruit.sciencemag.org/feature/advice/foc-bioin.shl
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/4707/bioinform.html
Interests and Skills for Success:
Computer Science Emphasis:
Interests: Human thinking patterns, electronics, math and music
Skills: problem solving, logic, abstract reasoning, oral and written communication, working in groups
General Job Description: Computer scientists know how computers work and how to program them to perform tasks and provide services. They study hardware and software. They conduct research, design computers and discover and use principles of applying computers. They have a high level of theoretical expertise to apply complex problems and innovative ideas for the application or creation of new technology. In industry, they work in areas such as appling theory, developing specialized languages or designing programing tools, knowledge-based systems or computer simulations. System analysts define problems and design their solutions using computers. This process includes planning and developing new computer systems or devising ways to apply existing systems to operations still completed manually or by some less efficient method. Much of their time is devoted to converting goals into separate programmable procedures. They use structured analysis, data modeling, information engineering, and mathematical model building. This may also involve computer networking to allow access by various users.
Persons with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology combined with information systems and computer science courses will be suited for employment in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical industry and medical care facilities to coordinate computer applications to solve science problems.
Managment Information Systems Emphasis:
Interests: Computer languages, computer programming, problem solving, logic, taking initiative and organizing groups
Skills: communication, working in groups, creativity, solving oral and written problems, understanding human behavior
General Job Description. The basic task of the information systems specialist is to act as an intermediary between the persons in an organization who have information needs, such as record keeping, sales, production or planning, and the computer programmers who write the solutions to these problems. The information analyst knows the business functions (accounting, marketing, finance, operations, strategic planning) as well as the computer programming and the computer programs available for solving particular problems. This person interviews the potential user, finds out the goals of the organization, determines the information needs and tools required to support these goals, and helps to design computerized systems to support these goals. Then the analyst may review the solutions and user needs with the programmers. Finally, the anlyst may participate in the programming, implementation, and testing of these newly designed systems.
Persons with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology combined with information systems and computer science courses will be suited for employment in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical industry and medical care facilities to coordinate computer needs with science and medical operations needs.
Bioinformatics courses links: http://www.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/bcd/Curric/syllabi.html
Bioinformatics Career Articles: http://www.bioplanet.com/Bioarticles.htm