Training biologists in Unix command-line skills: From curriculum to interactive online tutorials

Abstract

As the generation of data in the life and health sciences expands rapidly, there is a growing need for professionals and students in these fields to master core bioinformatics skills, particularly those relating to Unix-like systems, most commonly used in bioinformatics. This paper introduces two key contributions to address this need: (1) A Unix curriculum for life scientists with little or no command-line experience, based on progressive Unix skill levels for bioinformatics and (2) An implementation of this curriculum into a series of interactive online tutorials deployed through Sandbox.bio—an open-source platform for learning bioinformatics that embeds a command line in the browser, which removes barriers related to software installation and access. We performed an overall evaluation of this teaching framework in different contexts. This inclusive, sustainable approach provides widespread access to essential bioinformatics skills for life science students and professionals alike.