Translational Biomedical Informatics (MS)

Keck School of Medicine of USC
Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower
1450 Biggy St. NRT 2508
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601
Email: davidwcr@usc.edu
Program Director: David W. Craig, PhD

dtg.usc.edu/education/translational_bioinformatics

 

Program Summary

The Department of Translational Genomics is offering a Master of Science (MS) degree in Translational Biomedical Informatics. This MS program aims to train medical students, fellows and other healthcare scientists in biomedical informatics, specifically around translational applications in human health and care moving from bench to bedside. The goal of this program is to provide individuals with a solid biology or medical background a program a degree grant mechanism for transitioning from the bench to the dry-lab in academic biomedical research, clinical research and pharmaceutical research. Graduates will have the practical skills to understand molecular biology, systems biology, structural biology, proteomics, genomic sequencing and genomic tools and datasets.

The program focuses on training in human biomedical informatics centered around applications in healthcare and biomedical research. Students will learn to effectively implement, develop, and design analytical solutions within for different healthcare applications from prototyping to production. Moreover, students will learn by application with a major emphasis on data analysis, data processing, and interpretation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets. Students will be trained and gain an understanding of modern web-development frameworks, and how to extract and interact with a wide variety of databases spanning open access frameworks to restricted and regulated frameworks. A capstone project helps students build an on-line portfolio that showcases both their ability to conduct complex analysis and share their results through interactive web-applications.

The program is intended to be flexible, and attract applicants with training in biology, medicine, and related biomedical disciplines. It will focus on individuals with a background in biology and medicine, and is not intended or appropriate for those with computer engineering and software degrees.

Admission

Applicants should have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA 3.0. Applicants should have two semesters/three quarters of General Biology; two semesters/two quarters of General Chemistry, and one semester/one quarter of Statistics.

A minimum score of 300 on the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test is required. In lieu of GRE, DAT (minimum 18), MCAT (minimum 28 pre-2015 or 505 post-2015) or USMLE may be submitted. Applicants must also supply a statement of purpose and three letters of recommendation from evaluators qualified to assess their potential for graduate work. Please visit program website for additional information on admission and application procedures.

Advisement

The program recommends that students meet with an academic adviser of the program each semester prior to registration.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required at all times. Any student whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation who do not raise their GPA to 3.0 after two semesters of written notification of academic probation will be academically disqualified.

A minimum of 28 units of graduate level course work is required for graduation.