BIOM-MS - Biomedical Informatics (MS)

The Biomedical Informatics Program is interdepartmental and offers instruction and research opportunities leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Informatics. All students are required to complete the core curriculum requirements, and also to complete additional course work to fulfill degree requirements and pursue their technical interests and goals as specified for each degree program.

The program can provide flexibility and can complement other opportunities in applied medical research at Stanford. Special arrangements may be made for those with unusual needs or those simultaneously enrolled in other degree programs within the University. Similarly, students with prior relevant training may have the curriculum adjusted to eliminate requirements met as part of prior training.

The GRE is not required for admission.

The University requirements for the M.S. degree are described in the Graduate Degrees section of this bulletin.

Advising

Upon entering the program, each student is assigned an academic adviser to help with course selection and monitor progress towards program milestones and degree requirements. Each research-track (academic) M.S. and Ph.D. student conducts research under the primary mentorship of a faculty supervisor, who guides their scholarly and professional development. Further details about the adviser roles and responsibilities are found in the BMI Student Handbook and in the Biomedical Informatics Advising section of this Bulletin.

Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics (Academic)

This degree is designed for individuals who wish to undertake in-depth study of biomedical informatics with research on a full-time basis. Normally, a student spends two years in the program and implements and documents a substantial project by the end of the second year. The first year involves acquiring the fundamental concepts and tools through course work and research project involvement. Academic M.S. students are expected to devote 50 percent or more of their time participating in research projects. Research rotations are not required, but can be done with approval of the academic adviser or training program director. Graduates of this program are prepared to contribute creatively to basic or applied projects in biomedical informatics. This degree requires a written research paper to be approved by two faculty members.

Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics (Professional/Honors Cooperative Program)

This degree is designed primarily for the working professional who already has advanced training in one discipline and wishes to acquire interdisciplinary skills. Although many classes necessary for the degree are available online, some requirements may be fulfilled through implementation of an alternative plan to be approved by the program. The professional M.S. is offered in conjunction with Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD), which establishes the rates of tuition and fees. The program uses the honors cooperative program (HCP) model, which assumes that the student is working full-time and is enrolled in the M.S. on a part-time basis. Students who live locally may attend their courses on campus. Students have up to five years to complete the program. Research projects are optional; if interested, the student must make arrangements with program faculty. Graduates of this program are prepared to contribute creatively to basic or applied projects in biomedical informatics.

Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics (Coterminal)

The coterminal degree program allows Stanford University undergraduates to study for a master's degree while completing their bachelor's degree(s) in the same or a different department. See the Coterminal Master's Degrees section of this bulletin for additional information. For University coterminal degree program rules and University application forms, see the Registrar's website.

The coterminal Master of Science program follows the same program requirements as the Master of Science (Professional), except for the requirement to be employed full-time. The coterminal degree is available only to current Stanford undergraduates. Coterminal students are enrolled full-time and courses are taken on campus. Research projects are optional; if interested, the student must make arrangements with program faculty. Graduates of this program are prepared to contribute creatively to basic or applied projects in biomedical informatics.

Transfer of units will be evaluated by the Director of Graduate Studies on a course by course basis. Graduate work accepted for transfer of residency does not automatically exempt a student from having to complete a course requirement for the degree. University policies related to transfer of credit for graduate work done elsewhere is located in GAP 3.2.1 Residency Policy for Graduate Students.

In this master’s program, courses taken during or after the first quarter of the sophomore year are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career; the timing of the first graduate quarter is not a factor. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

The Program in Biomedical Informatics is committed to providing academic and research advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the adviser and the advisee. As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the adviser and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program. The program’s student services staff is also an important part of the student’s advising team. They inform students and advisers about University and department requirements, procedures, and opportunities, and they maintain the official records of advising assignments and approvals.

Academic Adviser—Each new student in the Program in Biomedical Informatics is assigned an academic adviser (a member of the core or advising faculty or Executive Committee of the program). Academic advisers guide students in key areas such as selecting courses, discussing research rotations, developing of teaching pedagogy, navigating policies and degree requirements, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways. Usually, the academic adviser serves for the duration of the student’s study; the BMI Student Handbook describes a process for formal adviser changes. In addition, the program director is available during the academic year by email and during office hours.

Academic progress and student completion of program requirements and milestones are monitored by the program director and student services staff, and are discussed by faculty during periodic meetings devoted to assessing graduate student progress. A detailed description of the program's requirements, milestones, and advising expectations are listed in the Biomedical Informatics Training Program Student Handbook, found on the program website, as well as in the section on the Biomedical Informatics Program (program).

Research Adviser—Each student in the academic M.S. degree program must also have a research adviser, chosen by mutual agreement at the end of their research rotations (typically by the end of their first year in the program). This research adviser is a member of the core or advising faculty for the BMI program. The research adviser may not be the same person as the academic adviser. Research advisers and the students should have a clear, shared understanding of the scientific objectives of the student’s work, and how it fits into a research program that will lead to an M.S. degree. They should focus on the development of methods that are novel, generally applicable, and well-grounded in the informatics literature. In select cases, the research adviser may be a member of the collaborating faculty, in which case the student must have a co-adviser from the BMI core or advising faculty. When there is a secondary or co-adviser, the primary adviser and co-adviser should have a clear understanding of their mentorship roles.

Additionally, the program adheres to the University policies, guidelines, and responsibilities that apply to all faculty-student advising relationships. For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the Graduate Advising section of this bulletin.

The program in Biomedical Informatics emphasizes research to develop novel computational methods that can advance biomedicine. Students receive training in the investigation of new approaches to conceptual modeling and to development of new algorithms that address challenging problems in the biological sciences and clinical medicine. Students with a primary interest in developing new informatics methods and knowledge are best suited for this program. Students with a primary interest in the biological or medical application of existing informatics techniques may be better suited for training in the application areas themselves.