Essential Bioinformatics * Jin Xiong * Cambridge University Press; ISBN: 0-521-60082-0; 339pp.; 2006; *  65.00 (hardcover);  29.00 (paperback).

Abstract

Few would argue the need for today's college biology majors to have basic skills in bioinformatics. Yet, their undergraduate faculty faces several challenges in providing these skills, particularly at smaller colleges. First, faculty members who teach bioinformatics have usually been trained in molecular biology, genetics or biochemistry. Therefore, most do not have extensive applied mathematics experience beyond statistics. Second, bioinformatics textbooks for undergraduate biology majors are rare. Most bioinformatics books are geared to researchers, computer programmers or graduate students. Others are simple user manuals, with little coverage of critical evaluation of the output. Third, most students today have great ‘point-and-click’ computing skills, but minimal understanding or patience for command-line computing or programming.