MS & PhD in
Biomedical Data Science and Informatics
Biomedical data science and informatics is an interdisciplinary field that applies concepts and methods from computer science and other quantitative disciplines together with principles of information science to solve challenging problems in biology, medicine and public health.
The nation's transition to new healthcare delivery models and the exponential growth in biomedical data translate to a need for professionals with expertise in data science focused in biomedical research who can leverage big data to improve health in the state and the nation. Specialized tracks will initially include precision medicine, population health, and clinical and translational informatics.
Programs of
STUDY
Click and expand the menus for more information on each program
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
A joint PhD degree program offered by Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina
The program is a unique collaboration that brings together Clemson’s strengths in computing, engineering, and public health and MUSC’s expertise in biomedical sciences to produce the next generation of data scientists, prepared to manage and analyze big data sources from mobile sensors to genomic and imaging technologies. Graduates will possess the necessary skills for informatics careers in biology, medicine or public health focused on the development of prescriptive analytics from large data sources. This interdisciplinary program is designed for full-time students with undergraduate or graduate computer science, math, engineering, or biomedical sciences backgrounds who wish to make a contribution to biomedical sciences or individual and societal health. [APPLY]
Program info
Each student will work with the graduate coordinator, academic advisor, and dissertation committee to construct a program of study that conforms to the requirements outlined below and takes into account both the student’s prior preparation and intended research area. In cases where the student comes to the program with prior coursework in a required area, the graduate coordinator may approve a substitution. In cases where a student lacks pre-requisites for a required course, the student will be asked to complete both the pre-requisite coursework and the required course. Because the curriculum will be tailored to each student, the time needed to complete the degree will vary, but in general, it is expected that students can complete the degree in five years or less.
Coursework (65-68 total hours):
- Area I – Biomedical Informatics Foundations and Applications (15-16 hours)
- Area II – Computing/Math/Stats/Engineering (18 hours)
- Area III – Population Health, Health Systems, and Policy (5-6 hours)
- Area IV – Domain Biology/Medicine (6-8 hours)
- Area V - Lab rotations, seminars, doctoral research (24 hours)
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in biomedical/health sciences, computing, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or related discipline
- Submission of scores from the general GRE
- One year of calculus; one year of college biology
- Computer programming coursework (e.g., at least one advanced programming course) or substantial experience in industry
- Competency in a second related area of the above list (biomedical/health sciences, computing, mathematics, statistics, engineering or related discipline), as demonstrated by completion of a major, minor or certificate
- Relevant research or work experience
- Coursework in multivariate calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and biostatistics
- One year of computer science coursework that focuses on the fundamentals of computer science and software engineering principles, including abstraction, modularity, and object-oriented programming
- 41-44 hours of coursework
- 24 hours of lab rotations, seminars, and doctoral research
- a qualifying exam
- a dissertation proposal and defense
- a written dissertation
Click here for a full list of required application materials. We also require the GRE, and either the TOEFL or the IELTS for international applicants without a US degree. These scores should be sent directly from the ETS and IELTS offices. For detail on how to request official GRE and TOEFL scores, please click here for General Test Scores and here for TOEFL iBT® Test Scores. Our institutional ETS code is 5111. No department code is necessary. Click here for detail on how to request official IELTS scores.
The annual deadline for complete applications is January 15th. Individuals are encouraged to complete their application several weeks prior to deadline to ensure optimal advantage. A joint admissions committee will review all applications and make recommendations to the Deans of the Clemson Graduate School and MUSC College of graduate Studies; the Deans will make final admissions decisions. Students will typically begin their study in the fall semester. Applicants will identify a preference for a "home institution" when applying for admission to this joint program. The faculty joint selection committee will consider the applicant’s preference and other considerations (e.g. number of openings, alignment of student’s research interests, funding) and will make the final "home institution" decisions.
Clemson: Brian Dean, (864)656-5866 bcdean@clemson.edu
Adam Rollins, (864)656-5853 rollin7@clemson.edu
MUSC: Alexander Alekseyenko, (843)792-2043 alekseye@musc.edu
MUSC: Taneisha Simpson, (843)792-2050 simpst@musc.edu
MASTER OF SCIENCE
This interdisciplinary program leverages the broad strength at Clemson spanning computing, engineering, mathematics, biology, public health, and other areas to produce the next generation of data scientists, prepared to manage and analyze big data sources from mobile sensors to genomic and imaging technologies. Graduates will possess the necessary skills for informatics careers in biology, medicine or public health focused on the development of prescriptive analytics from large data sources. The program is designed for students with undergraduate computer science, math, engineering, or biomedical sciences backgrounds who wish to make a contribution to biomedical sciences or individual and societal health. [APPLY]
Program info
Each student will work with the graduate coordinator to construct a program of study that conforms to the requirements outlined below and takes into account both the student’s prior preparation. In cases where the student comes to the program with prior coursework in a required area, the graduate coordinator may approve a substitution. In cases where a student lacks pre-requisites for a required course, the student will be asked to complete both the pre-requisite coursework and the required course. Because the curriculum will be tailored to each student, the time needed to complete the degree will vary, but in general, it is expected that students can complete the degree in two years.
Coursework (32-34 hours):
- Area I – Biomedical Informatics Foundations and Applications (12 hours)
- Area II – Computing/Math/Stats/Engineering (12 hours)
- Area III – Health Systems, Quality, and Safety (5-6 hours)
- Area IV – Domain Biology/Medicine (3-4 hours)
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in biomedical/health sciences, computing, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or related discipline
- Submission of scores from the general GRE
- One year of calculus; one year of college biology
- Computer programming coursework (e.g., at least one advanced programming course) or substantial experience in industry
- Competency in a second related area of the above list (biomedical/health sciences, computing, mathematics, statistics, engineering or related discipline), as demonstrated by completion of a major, minor or certificate
- Relevant research or work experience
- Coursework in multivariate calculus, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and biostatistics
- One year of computer science coursework that focuses on the fundamentals of computer science and software engineering principles, including abstraction, modularity, and object-oriented programming
For a full list of required application material, please click here. We also require the GRE, and either the TOEFL or the IELTS for international applicants without a US degree. These scores should be sent directly from the ETS and IELTS offices. For detail on how to request official GRE and TOEFL scores, please click here for General Test Scores and here for TOEFL iBT® Test Scores. Our institutional ETS code is 5111. No department code is necessary. Click here for detail on how to request official IELTS scores.
The BDSI Master of Science offers a combined BS/MS-BDSI with BS Biology, Health Science, Mathematics, Bioengineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Genetics and Biochemistry degrees. The BS/MS program allows Clemson undergraduates to apply up to twelve hours of graduate coursework towards both their BS and MS degrees. Students participating in this program must have at least 90 semester hours and a minimum GPA of 3.4. For questions about the BS-MS course plan, please contact Adam Rollins at rollin7@clemson.edu.
The annual deadline for complete applications is April 15th.
Brian Dean, (864)656-5866 bcdean@clemson.edu
Adam Rollins, (864)656-5853 rollin7@clemson.edu
Meet
OUR TEAM
Meet our faculty members at both Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina
Alexander Alekseyenko
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Luigi Boccuto
Greenwood Genetic Center
Research Scientist
Brian Dean
Clemson University
School of Computing
Zhana Duren
Clemson University
Genetics & Biochemistry
Alex Feltus
Clemson University
Genetics & Biochemistry
Hermes Florez
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Lewis Frey
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Ron Gimbel
Clemson University
Public Health Sciences
Nina Hubig
Clemson University
School of Computing
Xia Jing
Clemson University
Public Health Sciences
Miriam Konkel
Clemson University
Genetics & Biochemistry
Eileen Kraemer
Clemson University
School of Computing
Leslie Lenert
MUSC
Medicine
Kai Liu
Clemson University
School of Computing
Stephane Meystre
MUSC
Psych & Behavioral Sciences
Fabio Morgante
Clemson University
Genetics & Biochemistry
Paul J. Nietert
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Jihad Obeid
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Will Richardson
Clemson University
Bioengineering
Richard Steet
Greenwood Genetic Center
Director of Research
KC Wang
Clemson University
Public Health Sciences
Brandon Welch
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
Beth Wolf
MUSC
Public Health Sciences
State-of-the-art
FACILITIES
The joint PhD program with MUSC will give students access to both Clemson University and MUSC facilities.
MCADAMS HALL
MUSC
Palmetto Cluster
MUSC
Greenwood Genetics Center
GHS Patewood
READY TO APPLY?
Refer to the individual program above to find out more about the application process. Application deadline for full consideration is April 15 for the MS program, and January 15 for the PhD program.
APPLY TODAY!Student
TESTIMONIALS
See what our students are saying
Benjamin Martin
I have always wanted to work in health care, and I believe that focusing my education in the growing field of biomedical data science and informatics will allow me to make a positive impact on health care delivery and patient care. I love the interdisciplinary nature of this field and our program of study because it creates opportunities to tackle challenges in improving health care in a variety of ways, combining tools and techniques from different disciplines. I look forward to using the skills I develop from this program to further my research in population health and to support health care systems in providing quality, accessible, and cost-efficient care.
Benafsh Husain
My experience working and researching as a data scientist has exposed me to various types of interesting real world problems. With my background as a Biomedical engineer I have always wanted to circle back to biological data. The Clemson-MUSC BDSI program allows me to apply and hone my data science skills while providing challenging problems that require practical solutions. This program offers several inter-disciplinary research opportunities that are interesting to me ranging from public health policy to molecular biology. Being part of the research team focusing on cancer research is definitely a bonus.
Jordon Ritchie
The future of health care is data. Clemson and MUSC have essentially combined their strengths to provide excellent computer science curriculum and resources with impressive medical, statistical, and domain space knowledge. I chose this program because of the outstanding mentoring opportunities available and the climate of innovation that exists in these two institutions. Of all the programs that I researched I felt that this program would best prepare me to be a leader in big data analytics and technology innovation in health care.
MinJae
Woo
With my enthusiasm for patient safety and multidisciplinary background in mathematics, engineering, and econometrics, I was attracted by the joint PhD degree program in Biomedical Data Science and Informatics offered by Clemson University and Medical University of South Carolina. The Clemson-MUSC BDSI program has been a perfect fit for me with its interdisciplinary curriculum and ample research opportunities aligning with my research interest. I envision biomedical informatics a key to various patient safety issues to which I hope to contribute in the near future.
Meet
OUR STUDENTS
Zachary Gerstner
Clemson University
Benafsh Husain
Clemson University
Paritra Mandal
Clemson University
Benjamin Martin
Clemson University
Stephen McGee
Clemson University
Ehsan Sadrfaridpour
Clemson University
MinJae Woo
Clemson University
Jordon Ritchie
MUSC
Xiaoyan Han
Clemson University
Ilya Tyagin
Clemson University