Department of Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology

Academics: MS & MBI - Bioinformatics Track: In-Depth

• Overview
• Prerequisites
• Coursework
• Applying

Overview

Bioinformatics has become increasingly algorithmic and quantitative, in particular in the area known as computational biology. The primary goal of both our Master's programs (MBI and MS) in bioinformatics is to provide students with a rigorous grounding in the tools needed to successfully address current problems in the field. To this end, our bioinformatics track focuses on developing five core strengths. Taken together, these domains make up the knowledge base of bioinformatics:

• Students should be able to apply bioinformatics algorithms and statistical methodsto research problems.
• Students should be able to apply knowledge of biology, especially its genetics aspects, to bioinformatics and computational biology problems.
• Students should be able to apply basic statistical analysesto bioinformatics problems.
• Students should be able to apply basic computer scienceprinciples to problems in health and biomedicine.
• Students will build strong skills in advanced scholarship, including the ability to address ethical issues in the field, communicate effectively in oral and written form, and complete a dedicated research project in the form of a thesis (MS degree) or capstone (MBI degree).

Prerequisites

The prerequisites for the bioinformatics track include undergraduate experience in

• Introductory computer programming
• Biology
• Genetics
• Statistics/Biostatistics
• Biochemistry

Coursework

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Elective Courses
Artificial Intelligence - CS 560
Current Topics in Proteomics - EBS 598 (PSU)
Information Retrieval BMI - 514
Introduction to Biomedical Imaging - EE 588 (PSU)
Introduction to Computational Neurophysiology - BME 565
Machine Learning - CS 545 (PSU)
Natural Language Processing - CS 562
Statistical Analysis of Microarrays - PHPM 507C

Biomedical Sciences

Individual Competency (Choose 1)
Bioregulation - CON 663
Development, Differentiation and Cancer - CON 665
Molecular Cell Biology - CON 664
Structure and Function - CON 661

Biostatistics

Required Courses
Biostatistics 1 - PHPM 525
Biostatistics 2 - PHPM 526
Biostatistics 3 - PHPM 527

Computer Science

Required Courses
Computer Science and Java Programming - BMI 540
Computer Science III: Databases - BMI 544

Individual Competency (Choose 1)
Computer Networks - BMI 542
Software Engineering - BMI 546
Human-Computer Interaction in Biomedicine - BMI 548

Advanced Scholarship

Required Courses
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Biomedical Informatics - BMI 515
Master's Thesis - BMI 503 or Capstone Project - BMI 581
Scientific Writing and Communication for Informatics Students - BMI 570

Electives
Independent Study - BMI 502
Internship - BMI 504
Practicum: Biomedical Informatics - BMI 509
Reading & Conference - BMI 505
Research - BMI 501
Seminar: Biomedical Informatics - BMI 507

Applying

Master's application - Bioinformatics track (available on-campus only). Fall 2010 admission only. Application dates:

Fall: Open Sept. 1, 2009. Close Feb. 1, 2010
Late applications will not be considered.

Master's application - Medical Informatics track: Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010 admission. Application dates are:

Fall: Open June 2, 2009. Close Sept. 1, 2009
Winter: Open Sept. 2, 2009. Close Dec. 1, 2009
Spring: Open Dec. 2, 2009. Close March 1, 2010
Applications and all supporting documents received after the closing date will be considered for the following term.

To apply for any of the Master's programs, you must have:

• Bachelor's Degree (in any field of study) from an accredited institution
• TOEFL scores, if English is not your native language (institution code 4865)
• cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• official sealed transcripts sent to the Biomedical Informatics program to accompany the application
• personal statement
• 3 letters of recommendation
• introductory course in computer programming, preferably C++, Perl, or Java (see the CS Policy for more info)
  
• introductory course in anatomy and physiology
• GRE scores from within the last 5 years for those who do not already have a doctoral degree from an accredited US institution
  

Apply now

Individuals who are not residents of the US or Canada and who intend to apply for temporary U.S. residency (F-1 visa) status should complete and submit our pre-application. There is substantial competition for entry into OHSU graduate programs and only highly qualified applicants are likely to be considered. Students should have excellent command of the English language as well as excellent GRE scores and strong academic records. Student transcripts should be evaluated for U.S. equivalency. For more information on this process, please see the "Credentials Evaluation" document.