Master's Program
IN MACHINE LEARNING FOR BIOLOGY

In 2022, with support from the Intellect Foundation, the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics at Lomonosov MSU began developing a master’s program focused on the application of machine learning to biology.

The curriculum progresses from foundational neural-network methods to deep learning, enabling students to work on consequential scientific problems.

30+ COURSES

Practice-based coursework spans molecular biology and genetics, structural bioinformatics, and the analysis of three-dimensional biomolecular structures.

INDIVIDUALIZED PATHWAYS

Applicants may enter through either the Biology or Information Technology track. The entrance assessment follows the selected field, after which each student develops an individualized course of study.

The Intellect Foundation supported the program’s development and provides full tuition funding for students selected through the competitive admissions process for the 2024–2025 academic years.

PROGRAM
EXPERT COUNCIL

Mikhail S. Gelfand

Director of Skoltech Center for Life Sciences, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor

Alexander E. Gorbalenya

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor at Leiden University and MSU

Andrey A. Zamiatin

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine of the FMSMU

Ivan V. Kulakovsky

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Ph.D., Head of the Laboratory at the IB RAS

Vsevolod Y. Makeev

Doctor of Physico-Mathematical Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the IOGen RAS Department

Peter V. Sergiev

Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Professor of the RASciences, Head of the Laboratory at the Scientific Research Institute of the Academy of Medical Sciences

Disciplines studied

Semester 1

General Biology and Biodiversity

General and Organic Chemistry

Introduction to Molecular Biology

Biochemical Processes
Bioinformatics and Computer Technology

Molecular Biophysics

Current Problems in Biology

English Language
Python Programming

Algorithms and Computer Architecture

Fundamentals of Mathematical Analysis and Linear Algebra

Probability Theory

Semester 2

Virology and Microbiology

Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering

Introduction to NGS

Structural Bioinformatics and Drug Design

Mathematical Foundations of Machine Learning

Applied Mathematical Statistics

Python for Scientific Computing

Machine Learning

R Language for Data Analysis and Visualization

English Language
"Grant Proposal" Preparation

Internship at a biotech company / research group

Semester 3

Neural Network Methods for Biomedical Image Analysis

Analysis of Neurophysiological Data and Neural Interfaces

Medical Genetics

Modern NGS Methods

Cancer Bioinformatics

Deep Learning

Molecular Modeling and Design of Biomacromolecules

Database Design, Construction, and Analysis

Image Processing and Analysis

English Language

Semester 4

Evolutionary Biology

Applied Bioinformatics Algorithms

Scientific Communication

English Language
Thesis project preparation,
pre-graduation internship, defense

Academic
Staff

Academic
Program Director

Andrey Aleksandrovich Mironov

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor at the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of Lomonosov Moscow State University

Program
Head

Boris Aleksandrovich Fenyuk

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Deputy Director for Science at the A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, MSU, Professor at the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of Lomonosov Moscow State University

Program
Team

Andrey A. Mironov

Academic Director of the Program

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics,MSU

Dmitry Penzar

PhD Candidate of Biological Sciences, author of the curriculum of the program, lecturer at the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of MSU

Boris A. Fenyuk

Program Manager

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Deputy Directorfor Science of the Belozersky Scientific Research Institute of the MSU, Professor at the Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics of MSU