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Programming
Computing for Biologists Python Programming and Principles
Ran Libeskind-Hadas Harvey Mudd College, California
and Eliot Bush Harvey Mudd College, California
Specifically designed for life science students with no prior computing experience, this textbook teaches computational problem-solving along with Python programming skills. The chapters cover three key tools – gene finding, sequence alignment and phylogenetic methods. An accompanying website features numerous integrated exercises, equipping students with the skills to write programs independently. Contents: Part I. Python versus Pathogens; Part II. Sequence Alignment and Sex Determination; Part III. Phylogenetic Reconstruction and the Origin of Modern Humans; Part IV. Additional Topics. ‘In my twenty years as a professor, I have never run across a textbook on bioinformatics algorithms that a biologist can read from cover to cover and understand. This is the one.’ Pavel Pevzner, Ronald R. Taylor Distinguished Professor of Computer Science, University of California, San Diego ‘This is an awesome book for anyone to get into computing. It is easy to follow and clearly structured so the reader understands what they are learning and why. The book provides the fundamentals concepts of computational biology and bioinformatics in parallel to gaining actual skills in computing and the ability to write your own Python programs! What I love about the book is how the authors ensure the concepts and skills are applicable to a clear and defined biological problem. The authors help demystify the various topics and bring the reader to understand the algorithms behind the programming tools by applying these to resolve an actual biological problem. This book is also an excellent resource for those involved in training and education, and it provides plenty of exercise to use in the actual classroom.’ Maria Victoria Schneider, The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC), UK 2014 246 x 189 mm 218pp 8 b/w illus. 33 colour illus. 1 table 978-1-107-64218-8 Paperback £37.99 / US$49.99 For all formats available, see
www.cambridge.org/9781107642188