We are at a revolutionary time in biology. The sequencing of the genomes of species from across the tree of life has provided access to their complete genetic blueprint, and opened the door to novel experimental strategies and reasoning. Top-down and bottom-up approaches can now synergize to address fundamental problems in biology. The Doctoral Program in Integrative Experimental and Computational Biology (IECB) is an multi-departmental program that aims to attract highly motivated, international students who wish to pursue biological research incorporating experimental and computational approaches. PhD topics offered span the study of molecules, cells, organisms and their environment, and cover developmental biology, physiology, cancer biology, neuroscience, behaviour and evolutionary biology. This program, which is part of the Doctoral School of the University of Lausanne’s Faculty of Biology and Medicine, harbours an international group of students working in a multidisciplinary, English-speaking research environment.
The IECB program, working in close association with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics-SIB, provides training and experience in the reasoning, logic and abilities inherent to both experimental and computational approaches and educates students in quantitative analysis of biological questions. Students are offered instruction in genome-wide and proteome-wide data analysis, biological modelling, quantitative image analysis, programming and statistics, in addition to a thorough education in experimental biology, through a didactic program that complements both their individual research topic and background. Thus, PhD students become conversant in both experimental and computational approaches and acquire the ability to integrate quantitative and experimental methods in their own research. Graduates from this program will have unprecedented scientific competence to permit them to become future leaders in biological research and beyond.
