Below, you will find detailed information about the Master of Science in Medical Informatics program, including curriculum structure, experiential learning opportunities, the academic calendar, and course descriptions. Use the links below to navigate quickly:
- The academic year is divided into four terms.
- Throughout the academic year, students will take core and elective courses, with core coursework emphasizing topics in computer science, biostatistics, health services research, cost-effectiveness analysis, and decision-making analyses and algorithms. Toward the second half of the year, students will wrap up remaining electives and complete capstone coursework.
- Students need to complete a minimum of 15 units to graduate; core courses are required, and students can choose from several elective options to complete their degree.
- The optional capstone course will take place in summer, with a preparatory course in Winter.
- Students take classes full-time, with approximately 55 hours per week combined coursework and class-time.
To see the days and times that courses are offered by term for the MS in Medical Informatics On-Campus program, view the full 2024-2025 academic calendar
- Core competency in bioinformatics and biostatistics, and epidemiology.
- Competency in foundational biostatistics for complex statistical modeling of public health data.
- The ability to adapt and interpret epidemiological study designs for primary and post-hoc outcomes.
- The ability to identify and validate molecular markers for use in clinical research.
- Working knowledge of clinical, global, molecular, and environmental exposure epidemiology.
The core coursework of the master’s degree in Medical Informatics covers units that build a firm foundation in this essential field.
The Medical Informatics curriculum also includes an optional 3-unit capstone that challenges students to refine their knowledge and skills while working on a real-world applied informatics project. Beyond showcasing technical knowledge, the capstone experience also provides training in critical skills needed for professional success, such as scientific writing, presentation skills, and the ability to translate findings to an audience who might not necessarily hold domain expertise.
Core Coursework
Through the Medical Informatics required core courses, students can dive into concepts such as applied epidemiology, biostatistics, machine learning, molecular biology, and healthcare systems.
- QBS 180 Data Visualization (0.5 unit)
- QBS 181 Data Wrangling
- QBS 140 Decision & Cost Effectiveness Analysis
- QBS 192 Health Informatics
- QBS 139 Advanced Methods in Health Services Research
- PH 147 Advanced Methods in Health Services Research Project (0.5 unit) OR any approved QBS Journal Club:
- QBS 193 Independent Journal Club (0.5 unit)
- QBS 194 Biostatistics Journal Club (0.5 unit)
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Epidemiology (Fall) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Bioinformatics (Winter) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Biostatistics (Spring) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 271 Advanced Epidemiology Journal Club (0.5 unit) (not offered every year)
- QBS 103 Foundations of Data Science
- QBS 101 Foundations of Programming for Data Scientists (1.5 units total taken over multiple terms)
- QBS 185.5 QBS MS Capstone Preparation Course (0.5 unit course taken in winter term)
- QBS 185 QBS MS Capstone (3 units)
- QBS 700 Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research does not count toward the units of coursework required for the MS degree.
- Students who matriculate Fall 2021 and beyond may not take more than 4 units of coursework per quarter unless approved by QBS administration and leadership.
Elective Coursework
Through the Medical Informatics elective course options, students can dive deeper into advanced concepts such as applied epidemiology, biostatistics, machine learning, molecular biology, and healthcare systems.
- QBS 108 Applied Machine Learning
- QBS 119 Biostatistics I: Applied Biostatistics or QBS 120 Foundations of Biostatistics I: Statistical Theory for the Quantitative Biomedical Sciences
- QBS 122 Foundations of Biostatistics III: Modeling Complex Data
- QBS 124 Advanced Biomedical Data Analysis
- QBS 125 Biomedical Informatics
- QBS 126 Analysis of Densely Collected Longitudinal Data
- QBS 146 Foundations of Bioinformatics I
- QBS 110.5 Integrative Biomedical Sciences Seminar Project (0.5 unit)
- QBS 110 Integrative Biomedical Sciences Seminar (0.5 unit)
- QBS 123 Biostatistics Consulting Lab (0.5 unit)
- QBS 131 Foundations of Epidemiology II: Theory and Methods
- QBS 132 Molecular Biologic Markers in Human Health Studies
- QBS 132.5 Molecular Biologic Markers in Human Health Studies Lab (0.5 unit)
- QBS 133 Clinical Epidemiology
- QBS 136 Applied Epidemiological Methods
- QBS 147 Genomics: From Data to Analysis
- QBS 193 Independent Journal Club (0.5 unit)
- QBS 194 Biostatistics Journal Club (0.5 unit)
- QBS 195 Independent Study
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Biostatistics (Winter) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Bioinformatics (Spring) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Epidemiology (Fall) (0.5 unit)
- QBS 271 Advanced Epidemiology Journal Club (0.5 unit) (not offered every year)
- PH 122/QBS 129 Survey Methods
- PH 126/QBS 128 Statistical Measurement & Analysis for Healthcare Quality Improvement
- PH 111/WBS 127 Medical Care Epidemiology: Principles, Applications and Insights
- PH 112 Medical Care & the Corporation
- PH 115/QBS 144 Value and Resource Allocation
- PH 151/QBS 145 Environmental Health Science and Policy (0.5 unit)
- PH 117/QBS 142 Introduction to Quality Improvement in Health Systems (0.5 unit)
- PH 125/QBS 135 Introduction to Qualitative Methods for Public Health & Healthcare Studies (0.5 unit)
- PH 131/QBS 138 Patient Centered Health Communication (0.5 unit)
- PH 154/QBS 141 Determinants in Health Inequities (0.5 unit)
- No more than 3 journal clubs or 1.5 units of journal club courses may count towards elective credit.
- No more than 1 independent study may count towards elective credit.
- No more than 1 independent journal club may count towards elective credit.
- Seek administrative approval for non-listed electives. Email Monica Espinoza for additional information.
Receive updates on applying to Dartmouth
TALK TO OUR ADMISSIONS TEAM
Courtney Theroux
DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Amanda Williams
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT
Hannah Kassel
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT
Mia Soucy
ADMISSIONS MANAGER
Geisel.MPH.MS.Admissions@Dartmouth.edu(603) 646-5834