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Programs of Study

Biomedical Informatics is the scientific field that deals with the storage, retrieval, sharing, and optimal use of biomedical information, data, and knowledge for problem solving and decision making. It touches on all basic and applied fields in biomedical science and is closely tied to modern information technologies, notably in the areas of computing and communication. Columbia offers two degree programs in Biomedical Informatics: a full-time, sequential M.A./M.Phil./Ph.D. program and a separate program, leading to the free-standing M.A. degree, which is offered for part-time or full-time study.

The M.A. in Biomedical Informatics typically requires four semesters to complete two Residence Units. Students in the M.Phil. and Ph.D. program must earn six Residence Units total, including the two from the M.A., and must attend full time. The M.Phil. usually requires three years to complete. The Ph.D. is normally completed in two years after completing the M.Phil. degree.

The program focuses on the theory and application of information science in biomedicine: human biology, physiology, patient care and public health. It trains students for academic careers as researchers and teachers, as well as for professional positions in health care information processing. The curriculum incorporates course work from computer science, engineering, public health, and biostatistics, with core courses and projects in Biomedical Informatics and Neurobiology and Behavior serving to integrate approaches and illustrate practical applications.

For the M.A. Degree and the Free-Standing M.A.

Course requirements: Students complete a minimum of 30 credits of Columbia courses at the 4000 level or higher, address any admission deficiencies, and complete two Residence Units. All students must take the introductory course (BINF G4001). In addition, students must take (or place out of) courses in the following areas, which must be at the 4000 level or higher: computer science (two semesters), human biology or medicine (one semester), mathematics or statistics (one semester). Part-time students take one to three core courses in Biomedical Informatics and one to three elective courses selected (with approval from a faculty adviser) from Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, Biology, Public Health, Engineering, and Computer Science. Full-time students take the courses listed above, plus BINF G4001 and G8010 (two semesters).

Research project: In their final semester, part-time students enroll in a project course (BINF G6001), under the direction of a faculty advisor, to gain experience in using medical informatics techniques to solve practical problems. Full-time students enroll in BINF G6001 during each semester of the two years of the program. Under the direction of a faculty adviser, full-time students gain experience in posing scientific hypotheses, conducting experiments, building information systems, and measuring impact.

Essay: In their final semester, full-time students write an original essay (BINF G6091), summarizing the achievements of the research project. This work is generally in the form of a paper suitable for publication in one of the medical informatics journals.

For the M.Phil. Degree

Advisory committee: The student must obtain the consent of at least three faculty members from the Biomedical Informatics Degree Program Committee to form an advisory committee to guide his or her study, with one faculty member acting as primary advisor, or chair. This committee normally advises the student until the completion of the Ph.D. degree. The committee must meet with the student at least once each semester to review the student’s progress.

Course requirements: Students complete a minimum of 60 credits of Columbia courses at the 4000 level or higher, address any admission deficiencies, and complete six Residence Units. In the first year, students must take the two introductory courses (BINF G4001 and G4002). In addition, students must take (or place out of) courses in the following areas, which must be at the 4000 level or higher: computer science (two semesters), human biology or medicine (two semesters), mathematics or statistics (one semester).

Teaching requirement: All M.Phil. students are expected to participate in the educational activities of the program for a minimum of one year, and must earn four credits of teaching experience through enrollment in BINF G8010.

Examinations: (1) The first exam assesses the ability of the student to apply knowledge acquired through course work to solving problems in medical informatics. The exam is usually taken at the end of the second year. The format of the exam is oral, administered by a committee, which enables customization of questions to the student’s background. (2) The second exam assesses the ability of the student to survey the literature in a given area, synthesize the achievements, and propose a new contribution. The format of the exam is oral, and it is usually taken at the end of the third year. The topic is assigned by the student’s advisory committee in the form of a mock request for proposal.

For the Ph.D. Degree

After completing all course requirements and examinations, the student must obtain the approval of the advisory committee for admission into candidacy for the Ph.D. program, at which time the student begins the preparation of a dissertation. The dissertation defense committee is ultimately composed of five members.Three internal members must be from the department and hold a seat on the GSAS Faculty (or be specifically approved otherwise) and serve as either the Committee Chair, Ph.D. sponsor, or second reader.The two outside members, who are typically added later, serve as external readers and come from other GSAS departments and/or schools or universities.After a maximum of six months following receipt of the M.Phil. degree, the student must present a thesis proposal to the committee and obtain written approval to continue the research. When the internal committee deems the dissertation acceptable for a defense, a defense is scheduled and the dissertation is distributed to all five members. The dissertation for a defense, consists of a presentation open to the public, followed by a closed, formal session before the five-member dissertation committee.

Financial Aid

A comprehensive program of financial aid, including fellowships and appointments in teaching and research, is available.