Program Overview
Biomedical research and clinical care increasingly rely on mastering vast datasets and complex computational models. Academic researchers and industry experts have recognized the urgency of using advances in genomic science, widespread health information technology, and new statistical, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) techniques to accelerate biomedical discovery and improve healthcare delivery
Troves of available data from genomic sequencing, electronic health records, and even consumer health apps are the key to making biological and medical advances However, many researchers, clinicians, and patients are overwhelmed by the volume and complexity of these biomedical data
Leveraging these complex datasets involves more than storage and computation: It requires developing novel methods that incorporate powerful machine learning and statistical models It requires understanding the biomedical context of the data. It also necessitates creating a comprehensive framework for biomedical scientists and clinicians to effectively, robustly, and ethically use quantitative methods at the point of care and scientific inquiry to benefit patients and society at large. Addressing these challenges is central to biomedical informatics.
There is a crucial, unmet need for trained professionals capable of integrating, interpreting, and acting on large-scale, complex data generated in biomedical research and medicine. Our primary goal in offering the Master of Medical Sciences in Biomedical Informatics (MMSc-BMI) degree is to train highly skilled, independent researchers in biomedical informatics We aim to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel in this field.
The MMSc-BMI program will offer rigorous training in biomedical informatics methods and applications to real-world data, leveraging the Department of Biomedical Informatics’ (DBMI) courses and training activities. In addition to core coursework, students will participate in comprehensive research skills training and complete a two-semester thesis research project under the mentorship of a Harvard University faculty member with expertise in the field
Program Objectives
The MMSc in Biomedical Informatics is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills to:
1 Interpret biomedical, clinical and other healthcare data
2 Utilize state-of-the-art informatics and data science tools and resources
3 Design rigorous statistical and AI/machine learning models for biomedical, clinical and other healthcare data
4 Implement computational analyses of biomedical, clinical, and other healthcare data
5 Plan and execute impactful and ethical research projects in biomedical informatics
6 Communicate research with diverse audiences, including through a written research thesis
Degree Offered
The program offers a Master of Medical Sciences degree in Biomedical Informatics This is a 64-credit program to be completed full-time in four academic semesters
Prerequisites for Admission
To apply to the two year MMSc-BMI program, applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited United States or international institution by the time of expected program matriculation in August. Applicants who are in their final year of undergraduate study at the time of the application deadline are welcome and encouraged to apply
Applicants to the MMSc-BMI program must demonstrate the following prerequisites either through coursework, practical training, or other relevant experience:
● Interest in conducting biomedical informatics research
● Ability to use probability and statistical testing in data analysis
● Exposure to foundational concepts in molecular biology
● Practical knowledge of computer science concepts
● Strong coding skills in R and/or Python programming languages
○ 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
Our most successful students typically demonstrate working knowledge of both R and Python at the time of application Students are required to use both languages in the required first-year courses
All admitted students will complete a mandatory assessment in the spring prior to matriculation to evaluate their level of programming skills.
Undergraduate degree programs that typically prepare applicants well for the master’s program include but are not limited to:
● Bioinformatics
● Computer Science
● Mathematics
● Statistics
● Engineering
Students enter the master’s program with a wide range of undergraduate degrees and backgrounds Applicants do not need to have completed a specific undergraduate major to be eligible for admission
International Student Requirements
Applicants from outside the United States are welcome to apply to the MMSc-BMI program In addition to the eligibility and prerequisite guidelines for all program applicants, international applicants must also adhere to the following requirements and guidelines.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
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, Master’s, OR Doctoral degree from an accredited institution where English is the primary language of instruction according to the International Handbook of Universities.
● Obtain a score of 103 or higher on the TOEFL iBT exam
● Obtain a score of 11 or higher on the TOEFL Essentials exam
● Obtain a score of 7.5 or higher on the IELTS Academic exam.
● Obtain a score of 130 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 be considered for admission.
Transcript Requirements and Guidelines
All applicants must submit an unofficial transcript for each degree program completed or in progress that meet the following requirements:
● Lists all courses completed and in progress. Completed courses must include a grade or other evaluation indication
● All information is issued in English
In addition to these requirements, any applicants submitting transcripts from institutions outside of the United States or Canada are also strongly advised to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from an organization included on the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services Members List
A copy of all transcripts and credential evaluations must be uploaded directly by the applicant to the application portal at the application stage Materials sent directly to Harvard Medical School via mail or electronic service are not processed and reviewed at the time of application.
Although a credential evaluation is not required, having a credential evaluation better enables the admissions committee to evaluate and understand your academic preparation and accomplishments
Course and Thesis Research Location Requirements
All didactic coursework counted toward the Master of Medical Sciences in Biomedical Informatics degree must be a graduate-level course offered for enrollment at any of the graduate and professional schools at Harvard University, excluding courses through the Division of Continuing Education or the Harvard Summer School, or be a program-approved graduate-level course offered for degree-seeking students at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) All research undertaken for the thesis must be under the supervision and mentorship of a Harvard University faculty member at Harvard University or a Harvard-affiliated institution
Academic Credit Requirements
The 64-credit MMSc-BMI Program is completed in four academic semesters (Fall and Spring semesters year 1, Fall and Spring semesters year 2). Students in the MMSc-BMI program must be enrolled as full-time students for a minimum of four academic semesters in program-approved courses or research credits that meet program requirements Any extension of time to degree will only be approved when the need for additional time is due to exceptional extenuating circumstances or is the result of a remediation plan set by the Program Director or Academic Progress and Review Board.
During the first year, students in the MMSc-BMI program must be enrolled in a minimum of 16 credits each semester and may not exceed 20 credits in a single semester Students may enroll in up to 22 credits in their second semester if they are in good academic standing, receive no grade below an ‘A-’ during their first semester, and receive program approval. Students may take coursework in addition to the degree requirements so long as they do not exceed semester credit limits. During the second year, students in the MMSc-BMI program must be formally enrolled in 16 credits of thesis research each semester. Students may petition the Program to take up to 4 credits of additional coursework each semester in their second year as long as they are in good academic standing and are making satisfactory progress on their thesis research.
Course of Study
A. Curriculum by term
The MMSc-BMI program is a full-time, in-person program completed over four academic semesters (two academic years)
In the first year, students complete a series of required and elective courses In the second year, they undertake their thesis research in the lab of their selected research mentor
The program follows the HMS Master's Programs Academic calendar (Section 2.01).
Year 1 Fall Semester Required Courses
BMI 701: Foundations of Biomedical Informatics I (Fall Year 1; HMS: 4 credits)
Grading Basis: Letter grade
BMI 714: Advanced Coding and Statistics for Biomedical Informatics (Fall Year 1; HMS: 4 credits)
Grading Basis: Letter grade
BMI 717: Conduct and Communication of Science (Fall Year 1; HMS: 2 credits
Grading Basis: Letter grade
Year 1 Spring Semester Required Courses
BMI 702: Foundations of Biomedical Informatics II (Spring Year 1; HMS: 4 credits)
Grading Basis: Letter grade
BMI 718: Working with Scientific Literature (Spring Year 1; HMS: 2 credits)
Grading Basis: Letter grade
BMI 719: Design and Execution of Scientific Projects (Spring Year 1; HMS: 2 credits)
Grading Basis: Letter grade
Year 1 Elective Courses
All students must successfully complete a total of 14 credits in elective courses that align with their educational interests and the objectives of the program during their first year. All elective courses must be completed for a letter grade and students must earn a grade of B- or better in all elective courses Elective courses can be selected from the Department of Biomedical Informatics’ own course offerings or from cross-registration-eligible courses at other Harvard schools or Massachusetts Institute of Technology All electives must be approved by the program A list of available pre-approved electives will be sent to students ahead of course
registration periods for the fall and spring semesters Students will also have the opportunity to petition to take electives not already on the pre-approved list.
Year 2 Required Courses
In the second year of the program, students conduct their thesis research in the lab of their Thesis Advisor full-time, enrolling in the 16-credit thesis courses during the fall and spring semesters of their second year (for a total of 32 credits). Thesis courses are graded ‘Satisfactory’ or ‘Unsatisfactory’, where ‘Satisfactory’ is defined as a numeric score of 80 or higher A breakdown of the criteria for earning a grade of ‘Satisfactory’ will be provided in the MMSc-BMI thesis handbook.
As part of the thesis courses, students will attend monthly meetings where they will discuss thesis progress and challenges with peers and participate in seminars about research-related skills
Additional details about the thesis requirements are found below in ‘Part C’ of this section
Students may petition the Program to take up to 4 credits of additional coursework each semester in their second year as long as they are in good academic standing and are making satisfactory progress on their thesis research
B Expectations for students
Students are expected to participate fully in all required components of the program, including in their courses and in program-mandated workshops, seminars, and other events. Attendance is required for all course meetings and program-mandated activities and students are responsible for reasonably informing program leadership and/or faculty about unavoidable events or circumstances that prevent full participation (See Attendance Policy in Section 2.02).
Students will be formally evaluated in each course through participation, quizzes, homework assignments, team and individual projects, and written work
Students may enroll in courses at other Harvard Schools, with the permission of those Schools and the guidance and permission of the Program Directors and Course Director(s). Students are expected to abide by the rules and expectations of the school in which they cross-register
C Thesis Research Project
All MMSc-BMI students are required to complete a mentored, hands-on thesis project during their second year Students will work on biomedical informatics research projects tailored to their
expertise and interests under the mentorship of program-approved Harvard University faculty members.
By proposing and executing a project, students will gain practical real-world understanding of the field by applying what they are learning in their courses as they work alongside a biomedical informatics leader in their area of interest. Thesis projects may include developing new methods and tools, creating data resources, and analyzing biomedical data
Year 1 - Thesis Preparation
During the first year in the program, students complete a three-part series of Research Foundations quarter courses (BMI 717, BMI 718, and BMI 719). These courses will directly aid students in planning and executing their thesis projects by developing relevant skills, such as:
● Choosing a mentor and being an active mentee
● Identifying a gap in the field and proposing and planning a research project that addresses a gap in the field
● Considering ethics and equity at all stages of a research project
● Time management and organizational skills
● Finding, reading, and evaluating biomedical informatics literature
● Communicating research results in progress reports, presentations, and papers
Students select their thesis advisor during the first year in consultation with the Program, design their thesis project, and present a proposal to their Thesis Advisory Committee for approval.
Year 2 - Conducting Research
In the second year of the program, students conduct their thesis research in the lab of their thesis advisor full-time, enrolling in the 16-credit thesis courses during their third and fourth semesters (for a total of 32 credits).
As part of the thesis courses, students will attend monthly meetings where they will discuss thesis progress and challenges with peers and participate in seminars about research-related skills
Thesis Advising Structure
All students select a Thesis Advisor in consultation with the Program. Thesis Advisors must:
● Hold a faculty appointment at a Harvard University school at the rank of Assistant Professor or above
● Have a research program that uses computational methods in biomedical applications
Students may be co-advised by up to two advisors, with approval from the Program, as long as at least one advisor meets the requirements above. The thesis advisor is expected to meet with students regularly to advise on the thesis project, provide any resources required for the project (e.g., computing, experimental), provide feedback on thesis deliverables, and support the student’s professional development.
Students will also receive guidance and feedback throughout their thesis research from a Thesis Advisory Committee Students will select the members of this committee in consultation with the Program. The student will meet with the committee at defined times as they propose and conduct their research
Thesis Milestones and Deliverables
Over the course of the thesis, students will submit written and oral research deliverables to their committee, including a proposal, progress reports, a thesis, and a thesis defense. These will be detailed in the MMSc-BMI Thesis Handbook
D Assessment
Students receive a final grade for each course they take Students are evaluated in each course through participation, quizzes, homework assignments, team and individual projects, and written work
The MMSc-BMI program's own core and elective courses, courses with prefix BMI, at HMS will be graded with letter grades A satisfactory grade is defined as a B- or better The thesis research courses are graded as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory, where Satisfactory is defined as a numeric score of 80 or higher
Students may cross-register for electives at other Harvard Schools and MIT Courses taken at other Harvard schools and MIT are graded in accordance with that school's policies. All cross-registered courses being used to satisfy a program requirement must be taken for a letter grade when available and completed with a letter grade of B- or better Courses taken at Harvard Business School to meet a program requirement must be completed with a final grade of ‘I’ or ‘II’ Students may register for additional courses that will not be used to meet a program requirement for either a letter grade or pass/fail, when available, as long as they do not exceed the per-semester maximum credit load. Additional courses completed for a letter grade can be completed with a grade below ‘B-’, but will still count toward the cumulative GPA and appear on the student’s official transcript.
To be in good academic standing, students must have no grade below satisfactory as outlined above in all courses being used to meet a program requirement, must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3 0 or above in all graded courses, and must demonstrate ongoing progress with their
thesis Failure to meet these requirements will lead to academic disciplinary action and consequences as detailed in Section 3.03 of the HMS Master's Student Handbook.
E. Length of Time to Degree
Students enrolled in the 64-credit MMSc-BMI program must be enrolled for a minimum of four full-time academic semesters to meet the requirements of the degree Students are not permitted to extend their time to degree unless it is due to personal extenuating circumstances or the requirement of a remediation plan set forth by the Program Director or Academic Progress and Review Board
See Section 2.06 for definitions of full and part-time status and Section 2.07 for the policy on length of time to degree
G Requirements for Graduation
To graduate, students must complete the curriculum as set for the program A degree will not be granted to a student who is not in good academic standing or against whom a disciplinary charge is pending. In addition, a student's term bill must be paid in full before the student is awarded a diploma
Advising
The Program Director, Associate Program Director, program faculty, thesis mentors, and program administrators will work together with all students individually to ensure that they meet the requirements of the program and that each has a rich educational experience while enrolled in the program. The Associate Program Director or Program Administrator meets with each student on an individual basis at least once each semester and are available for additional meetings upon request
Financial Aid
Students who are enrolled at least half-time may be eligible for federal or private aid See Section 5.08 for additional financial aid information. Other discretionary resources may also be available Students are encouraged to search for sources of outside funding to support their studies.
