- Docente: Pier Luigi Martelli
- Credits: 3
- SSD: BIOS-07/A
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Molecular and Computational Biology (cod. 6254)
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from Oct 19, 2026 to Nov 11, 2026
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, the student will be able to apply fundamental formal models to describe and manipulate biological data in the omics era. The student will gain the skills to translate biological problems into quantitative models and analyze data using appropriate mathematical tools.
Course contents
Biological data: numerical and vectorial representations
Basics concepts of Linear Algebra
-) Vectors and matrices: basic definitions and operations.
-) Linear transformations in vector spaces.
-) Inverse matrix, Invertibility, Determinants.
-) Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors: applications to Principal Component Analysis.
Relations between biological data: Regression and correlation
Basics concepts of Calculus
-) Functions in R. Inverse functions.
-) Derivatives. Maximization and minimization,
-) Integrals.
-) Functions in R2.
-) Partial derivatives. Gradient. Maximization and minimization.
-) Constrained Maximization and Minimization: Lagrange's multipliers.
Basic concept of Probability
-) Joint probability, conditional probability, Bayes' theorem.
All topics will be treated in the context of the applications in Computational biology.
Readings/Bibliography
Reviews and usefue on line resources will be provided during the lectures and will be made available on Virtuale
Teaching methods
Lectures and exercises
Assessment methods
Written test aiming at verifying the ability of the student to apply the learned methods to simple problemes. The test consists of 5-6 problems to be solved in 90 minutes.
With regard to assessment, the use of AI is
prohibited. Any use constitutes a breach of academic integrity.
Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.
Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.
Office hours
See the website of Pier Luigi Martelli