Short Courses in Bioinformatics and Biocomputing (CBRS)

Short Courses in Bioinformation & Biocomputing


Build your skills in computational biology with focused, affordable short courses offered each semester

Register

Fall & Spring
Online & In-Person
All Levels

Training in computational and bioinformatics approaches to biological problems is central to the CBRS mission. Each long semester we offer a set of focused, one‑day classes that introduce practical techniques and tools.

Course Format

  • Course lengths are typically one day, lasting 2–4 hours.
  • Some courses span multiple days within the semester.
  • Many are offered in hybrid mode (in-person & Zoom).

Course Highlights

  • Affordable courses, open to students, faculty, and staff.
  • Designed for all skill levels.
  • Learn alongside peers in small, focused sessions.

Fees and Registration


Fees & Discounts

Courses range in price from $0 to $50 each and can be paid by 10-digit UT account (IDT), credit card, or UT ProCard.

  • 50% discount for registering for 3 or more courses in the same series*
  • 25% discount for registering for 2 courses in the same series*
  • These discounts do not apply for the core facilities short courses.

*Discounts apply only when multiple courses in a series are registered at the same time.

Registration Information

Important: If registering on behalf of someone else, do not use your own name, contact info, or EID at any point in the process. Use the student’s information to ensure they are added to the roster and receive course communications. Ask the student to forward their emailed receipt to you.

  • Use your own unique PIN when registering — do not use someone else’s PIN.
  • No refunds will be issued within 2 business days of the course start date.

For issues or questions about registration, email bcg@utexas.edu.

Spring 2026 Semester

View past courses


Introduction to Python

Date:
Wed, Mar 04
Time:
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Matt Bramble (Bioinformatician, Bioinformatics Consulting Group, CBRS)

Close Date:
Fri, Feb 27
Modality:
Hybrid, but in-person encouraged
Course Description:

Python is a simple and popular programming language that can be used across platforms, and is useful for a wide variety of tasks.

This short course is a basic introduction to scripting using Python. Skills taught will include data structures, loops, conditional statements, function definitions, and if time permits, file input and output. These tools will be useful for researchers in many fields for data management, automating tedious computational tasks, and handling “big data.” This course is taught at an introductory level and is appropriate for students with no programming experience, but will contain material and techniques helpful to moderately experienced programmers new to Python.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Intermediate Python

Date:
Wed, Mar 11
Time:
9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Matt Bramble (Bioinformatician, Bioinformatics Consulting Group, CBRS)

Close Date:
Fri, Mar 06
Modality:
Hybrid, but in-person encouraged
Course Description:

This domain non-specific course is designed for Python programmers who have basic experience with the language. Learners are expected to be familiar with control flow and basic Python data structures (variable assignment, lists, dictionaries). This course will cover the knowledge to make code modular, readable and reproducible. A major focus will be object-oriented programming and Python’s implementation of the object-oriented paradigm.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Biomolecular Structure Determination by CryoEM

Date:
Fri, Mar 13
Time:
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Axel Brilot (Facility Director, CBRS); Michelle Mikesh (EM and Sample Preparation Specialist)

Close Date:
Mon, Mar 09
Modality:
Hybrid, but in person encouraged
Course Description:

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM)are versatile methods for biological structural characterization. Technological advancements made in the past decade have enabled cryo-EM to become an approachable high-resolution method capable of generating atomic structures.

The course will be divided into three sections: an initial 45-minute section on the room temperature (classical) EM services offered by the core; followed by two sections: an overview of the basic principles of single particle cryo-EM along the related services our core offers users, split into two approximately one hour sections with breaks between all sections. We will also discuss the practical applications of cryoEM and what a user will need to perform a successful experiment.

Cost:

$10

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Python for Machine Learning/AI

Date:
Wed, Mar 25
Time:
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Dennis Wylie (Co-Director, Bioinformatics Consulting Group, CBRS)

Close Date:
Fri, Mar 20
Modality:
Hybrid (In-person or Zoom)
Course Description:

Building further on the concepts covered in the Introduction, Intermediate, and Data Science Python courses, we will introduce Python as a tool for training and testing machine learning (ML) models with a particular focus on deep learning approaches. Specific topics will include an introduction to the PyTorch software library and a brief survey of some of the basic model architectures which it implements. Some prior familiarity with the basic ideas of ML (underfitting vs. overfitting, use of training and test data sets, model performance metrics such as AUC, etc.) and/or linear algebra will be helpful for getting the most out of this course.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Resources

Date:
Fri, Mar 27
Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Anna Webb (Director, Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Facility)

Close Date:
Mon, Mar 23
Modality:
Hybrid
Course Description:

This course offers an overview of how the Microscopy and Flow Cytometry Facility can help researchers answer their scientific questions. Participants will learn about the state-of-the-art instruments and services available at the MFC, including advanced fluorescence microscopes, flow cytometers, and cell sorters. The course will also cover the types of experiments that can be conducted using these instruments, introduce the facility's expert staff scientists, and provide detailed information on how to access and use the MFC's resources.

Cost:

Free

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction of Tag Seq (3′ Targeted Sequencing)

Date:
Wed, April 01
Time:
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Anna Battenhouse (Bioinformatics Consultant and Biomedical Research Computing Facility Manager)

Close Date:
Fri, Mar 27
Modality:
Hybrid, but in-person encouraged
Course Description:

Tag Seq is a method of sequencing the 3′ ends of mRNA in order to identify differential gene expression using a significantly cost-effective method. This course is an introduction to this Tag Seq method as well as the bioinformatics involved in analyzing a Tag Seq dataset. We will discuss library prep, quality assessment, read mapping, gene quantification, differential expression analysis and downstream analysis.

Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for taking this course.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Flow Cytometry Analysis & Cell Sorting

Date:
Fri, Apr 03
Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Richard Salinas (Senior Flow Cytometry Specialist)

Close Date:
Mon, Mar 30
Modality:
Hybrid
Course Description:

Flow cytometry allows for rapid, simultaneous analysis of multiple parameters of single cells, which can then be sorted into individual populations according to these parameters. In this class, Richard will cover flow cytometry and cell sorting technology, applications of these techniques, best practices for experiments, the use of spectral flow cytometry for complex antibody panels, the fundamentals of performing compensation, and methods for presenting flow cytometry data.

Cost:

$20

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Single Cell Data Analysis

Date:
Wed, Apr 08
Time:
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Dennis Wylie (Co-Director, Bioinformatics Consulting Group, CBRS)

Close Date:
Fri, Apr 03
Modality:
Hybrid, but in-person encouraged
Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to the bioinformatics analysis of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data, with a particular focus on methods especially appropriate for analysis of 10X Genomics data. Differences between bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq will be discussed in order to develop understanding of both what new methods are required versus what established RNA-seq analysis methods can be retained. A typical workflow for single cell RNA-seq analysis using Seurat will be presented.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing Services at the GSAF

Date:
Fri, Apr 10
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Jessica Podnar (Director, Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility, CBRS)

Close Date:
Mon, Apr 06
Modality:
Virtual
Course Description:

This course will offer an introduction into the services provided by the Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility available to researchers at the University of Texas. The course will cover the platforms and services available, best practices and how to submit samples to the core.

Cost:

$10

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Statistical Modeling for Biologists

Date:
Wed, Apr 15
Time:
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Dennis Wylie (Co-Director, Bioinformatics Consulting Group, CBRS)

Close Date:
Fri, Apr 10
Modality:
Hybrid
Course Description:

This course will survey some of the basic principles of statistics crucial to the modeling of biological data. Specific topics will include measures of correlation, hypothesis testing, false discovery rate adjustment, and applications and generalizations of linear models.

Cost:

$50

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Light Microscopy

Date:
Fri, Apr 17
Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Quinn Lee (Light Microscopy Specialist)

Close Date:
Mon, Apr 13
Modality:
Hybrid
Course Description:

Light microscopy allows scientists to visualize and analyze the structure and function of biological and material samples. In this class, Quinn will cover the fundamentals of fluorescence and image resolution; the theory behind a variety of microscopy techniques, including confocal, spinning disk confocal, TIRF, multiphoton, and super-resolution microscopes; applications of these techniques; and best practices for imaging experiments.

Cost:

$20

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Introduction to Unix

Date:
Wed, Apr 22 and Fri, April 24
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Anna Battenhouse (Bioinformatics Consultant and Biomedical Research Computing Facility Manager)

Close Date:
Fri, Apr 17
Modality:
In-person. Zoom access available upon request.
Course Description:

This is a two-part course, with substantial hands-on practice in a shared computing environment. Participants will learn the basics of using UNIX from the command line. Introductory topics include manipulating text files using standard UNIX utilities, how to string utilities together, and how to output the results to files. The goal of the course is to develop some basic comfort at the command line, get a sense of what’s possible, and learn how to find help.

Prerequisites:
Students wishing to participate in the hands-on portions should bring their own laptop.

Cost:

$50 (includes both days)

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Intermediate Unix

Date:
Wed, Apr 29 and Fri, May 01
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Anna Battenhouse (Bioinformatics Consultant and Biomedical Research Computing Facility Manager)

Close Date:
Fri, Apr 24
Modality:
In-person. Zoom access available upon request.
Course Description:

This is a two-part course, with substantial hands-on practice in a shared computing environment. Topics will build on those in the introductory course, including more on the filesystem, the Bash shell, and text processing on the command line. The course will emphasize manipulating text using standard Linux utilities and stringing commands together using pipes. We’ll also introduce some of the powerful Linux utilities such as cut, sort, grep and awk, with the goal of continuing the climb up the steep Linux learning curve.

Prerequisites:
Introduction to Unix or equivalent experience. Students wishing to participate in the hands-on portions should bring their own laptop.

Cost:

$50 (includes both days)

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Practical Guide for Designing Genetically Engineered Mice

Date:
Mon, May 4
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

William Shawlot (Director, Mouse Genetic Engineering Facility, CBRS)

Close Date:
Wed, Apr 29
Modality:
In-person
Course Description:

The class will cover strategies for designing genetically engineered mice. The allele types to be covered include null alleles, point mutations, conditional alleles, and reporter knock-ins.

Cost:

Free

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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Advanced Bash Scripting

Date:
Wed, May 06 and Fri, May 08
Time:
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location:
Instructor:

Anna Battenhouse (Bioinformatics Consultant and Biomedical Research Computing Facility Manager)

Close Date:
Fri, May 01
Modality:
In-person. Zoom access available upon request.
Course Description:

This is a two-part course, with substantial hands-on experience in a shared computing environment. The course will cover advanced topics in writing Bash shell scripts, providing tips, examples and best practices for creating robust “pipeline scripts” that execute multiple processing steps. Topics include defining functions, argument processing and defaulting, error checking, effective use of utilities such as awk and grep, as well as subtleties of UNIX streams and text manipulation.

Prerequisites:
Intermediate Unix or equivalent experience. Students wishing to participate in the hands-on portions should bring their own laptop.

Cost:

$50 (includes both days)

If using a UT Procard, read this disclaimer.

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