48-Credit Master of Biomedical Informatics Program

There is a critical need for trained individuals who are able to integrate, interpret, and act upon the large-scale, high-throughput, and complex data that are generated in the course of biomedical research and the practice of medicine. The goal of the 48-credit Master of Biomedical Informatics program is to train ambitious students from biomedical and quantitative educational backgrounds to become highly trained independent successful practitioners in the field of biomedical informatics. 

Program Eligibility and Prerequisites

To apply to the 48-credit MBI Program, applicants must have received a bachelor's degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution by the time of program matriculation in August and may not already hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field. 

At the time of application, applicants must demonstrate, either through coursework, practical training, or other relevant experience, the following:
  • Understanding of statistical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. 
  • Knowledge of computer science concepts. 

Our most competitive applicants typically demonstrate working knowledge of R or Python, or another programming language. However, this is not a requirement at the time of application. 

By the time of program start, applicants must be equipped with:
  • A basic working knowledge of Python and/or R programming.
    • This includes, but is not limited to, familiarity with data structures and types, designing algorithms to solve problems, and the ability to write functions, read and write data, and create plots with limited consultation of reference material.

A mandatory self-assessment will be sent to admitted students in April 2023 to identify areas in which they need to improve their programming skills before the start of the program in September 2023. A list of recommended online courses and other resources will be shared as well.

Applicants to the 48-Credit MBI program must hold an undergraduate degree. Undergraduate degree programs that prepare applicants for the MBI program include but are not limited to:
  • Bioinformatics
  • Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Statistics
  • Physics
  • Engineering

Applicants are not eligible for the 48-Credit MBI program if they already hold a doctoral-level degree. Potential applicants who hold a doctoral-level degree should apply to the Accelerated MBI program.

International Student Requirements

International student applicants for whom English is not their native language must demonstrate English Language Proficiency by meeting one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. 
  • Obtain a score of 103 or higher on the TOEFL exam.
  • Obtain a score of 7.5 or higher on the IELTS exam
  • Obtain a score of 125 or higher on the Duolingo English Test

These are the minimum language proficiency requirements that must be demonstrated at the time of application. Applicants who submit an application without meeting these requirements will not have their application reviewed and will be denied admission.