Programs & Curriculum

DMICE offers two majors that allow you to specialize in your area of interest. Both are designed to train you to be a future researcher and leader in the field of biomedical informatics. When you apply to OHSU, you’ll choose one as your primary focus. 

The descriptions of our programs and degrees below can help you decide which is right for you. Once you choose a major, visit our Admissions page for admission requirements and application instructions. 

Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine (BCB) major

The BCB major broadly focuses on how bioinformatics and data science are applied in medicine. You’ll take rigorous, interdisciplinary courses covering statistics, algorithms, research methods, biology and computation. Choose from a master’s degree, doctorate or post-doctoral degree. 

Our master’s degree program provides you with the tools you’ll need to address current issues in the biomedical informatics field. This on-campus program has thesis and non-thesis options.

Curriculum

Core curriculum includes: 

  • Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine 

  • Biomedical Sciences 

  • Analytics and Biostatistics 

  • Computer Science

Transferring credits
You may transfer up to 16 credits from another accredited institution. These credits must be from formal coursework and may not include credits received for research or independent study. You can only use credits for which you received an A or B in a course that was completed in the last seven (7) years.

Graduation requirements
The M.S. curriculum consists of 55 credits, divided between 43 credits of coursework and 12 credits of thesis work. If you are a non-thesis student, you can complete a capstone project or an internship in a real-world setting, such as industry.

Length of program
You can typically complete your M.S. in two years if you are a full-time student. Part-time students have six years to complete the program. 

Our Ph.D. program is designed to develop leaders who can bring novel strategies and new ideas to the field of biomedical informatics. Our students become independent researchers, dedicated teachers and imaginative leaders in health care and academia.

This is an on-campus only program for full-time students. Most of our students are funded through the National Library of Medicine Fellowship. When you apply, you’ll automatically be considered for the fellowship. Please visit our Fellowship page for details.

Curriculum

Core curriculum includes: 

  • Core Knowledge of Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine

  • Doctoral Symposium 

  • Analytics and Biostatistics 

  • Mentored Teaching 

  • Advanced Research Methods 

  • Cognate Area of Study 

  • Research/Dissertation

Transferring credits 
You may transfer up to 45 credits from another accredited institution. These credits must be from formal coursework and may not include credits received for research or independent study. You can only use credits for which you received an A or B in a course that was completed in the last seven years.

Graduation requirements
You will need a minimum of 135 credits to graduate. The credit requirements include: 

  • A residency for six consecutive terms worth 12 to 15 creditsFull-time enrollment with a minimum of 9 credits per term.. 

  • A minimum of 43 credits in courses that demonstrate knowledge of Bioinformatics and Computational Biomedicine. If your background includes experience in related areas such as medicine or computer science, you may be eligible to substitute other courses. 

  • A minimum of 10 credits in reading and conference. 

  • A minimum of 12 credits in advanced research methods. 

  • A minimum of 12 credits in courses that demonstrate depth in a topic related to biomedical informatics. 

  • A minimum of three symposium credits. 

  • A minimum of eight mentored teaching credits. 

  • 48 credits for your research and dissertation.

Length of program
You can expect to spend a minimum of four to five years to complete the Ph.D. program.

Health and Clinical Informatics (HCIN) major

The HCIN major focuses on how informatics is applied in health care. You can choose to earn a graduate certificate,  or a master of science, or doctorate degree.  If eligible, you can also participate in a post-doctoral fellowship.

This program is designed to give you skills in biomedical informatics that will complement a career in the health care industry. Courses provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the role of information in health care. You’ll learn to implement, develop, maintain and manage health information resources and systems. You’ll especially find this program useful if you are already a physician, nurse, health care or IT professional, administrator or librarian. 

This program is completely online.

Curriculum
You’re required to complete these three courses, each worth three credits: 

  • Introduction to Biomedical Informatics 

  • Clinical Information Systems 

  • Organizational Behavior and Management

You’ll also choose four electives (1512 credits) from the course catalog.

Graduation requirements
You’ll need 21 credits to complete the program.

Length of program
Plan to spend 10 to 15 hours a week on one course. Most of our graduate certificate students are professionals with full-time jobs. If you’re working full-time, we advise you to take one or two classes per term. At that pace, you should be able to finish the program in two to three years.

The courses are designed to give you a strong technical grounding in biomedical informatics, health and medicine, computer science and research methods. You can choose to enroll in this program online. You can also choose a thesis or non-thesis option. Our HCIN master’s program is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management.

Curriculum
Core curriculum includes: 

  • Health and Clinical Informatics 

  • Evaluative Sciences 

  • Health Care 

  • Organizational Behavior and Project Management 

  • Computer Science

Transferring credits
You may transfer up to 16 credits from another accredited institution. These credits must be from formal coursework and may not include credits received for research or independent study. You can only use credits for which you received an A or B in a course that was completed in the last seven years.

Graduation requirements
If you’re a thesis student, you’ll need 55 credits, divided between 43 credits of coursework and 12 credits of thesis work. If you’re a non-thesis student, you’ll need 49: 43 credits of coursework plus a six-credit capstone or internship projectproject.

Length of program
You can typically complete your M.S. in two years if you are a full-time student. Part-time students have six years to complete the program. 

Our Ph.D. program is designed to prepare you to carry out advanced research or take on leadership roles that require a thorough understanding of information technology, health and biomedicine. The program aims to prepare leaders who can bring novel strategies and new ideas to the field of biomedical informatics. Our students become independent researchers, dedicated teachers and imaginative leaders in health care and academia.

This is an on-campus program for full-time students. Most of our students are funded through the National Library of Medicine Fellowship. When you apply, you’ll automatically be considered for the fellowship. Please visit our Fellowship page for details.

Curriculum
Coursework makes up an important part of the Ph.D. curriculum. You’ll take high-level courses that will give you a deep understanding of the field. You’ll also benefit from in-depth training in a cognate area of study, such as computer science, public health or nursing. You can take courses for the cognate area requirements from the OHSU Program in Computer Science & Engineering or from nearby Portland State University.

Core curriculum includes:  Core Knowledge of Biomedical Informatics 

  • Doctoral Symposium 

  • Clinical Research Design 

  • Mentored Teaching 

  • Advanced Research Methods 

  • Cognate Area of Study 

  • Research/Dissertation

Transferring credits
You may transfer up to 45 credits from another accredited institution. These credits must be from formal coursework and may not include credits received for research or independent study. You can only use credits for which you received an A or B in a course that was completed in the last seven years.

Graduation requirements

You will need a minimum of 135 credits to graduate. The credit requirements include: 

  • Full-time enrollment with a minimum of 9 credits per term.

  • A minimum of 43 credits in courses that demonstrate knowledge of biomedical informatics. If your background includes experience in related areas such as medicine, you may be eligible to substitute other courses. 

  • A minimum of 10 credits in reading and conference. 

  • A minimum of 12 credits in advanced research methods. 

  • A minimum of 12 credits in courses that demonstrate depth in a topic related to biomedical informatics. 

  • A minimum of three symposium credits. 

  • A minimum of eight mentored teaching credits. 

  • 43 credits for your research and dissertation.

Length of program
You can expect to spend a minimum of four to five years completing the Ph.D. program. 

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