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.