Biomedical Informatics

The departments of Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, and Biostatistics jointly offer a M.S. in Computer Science with a Biomedical Informatics concentration suited to individuals with an undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline, e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a natural, physical or social sciences subject.  Those obtaining the degree will be exceptionally well-prepared for next-generation careers in industry, government, or public health, or to enter a doctoral program in Informatics, Computer Science, Biostatistics or Statistics.

Students are required to take the following 4 core courses:

• BMI 500: Introduction to Biomedical Informatics (2)
• BIOS 506: Biostatistical Methods (4)
• CS 526: Algorithms
• CS 534: Machine Learning

In addition, students are required to take at least 3 concentration electives from:

• BIOS 510: Probability Theory I (4)
• BIOS 511: Statistical Inference (4)
• BIOS 540: Introduction to Bioinformatics (2)
• BIOS 545: Introduction to to R Programming (2)
• CS 540: Software Engineering
• CS 563: Digital Image Processing
• CS 570: Data Mining
• CS 581: High Performance Computing
• CS 584: Topics in Computer Science
• IBS 523: Cancer Biology I (4)

Students are required to choose one of the following options:

• Thesis:
  An acceptable masters thesis and oral defense (9 credit hours).
• Project:
  ​Completion of one approved elective course, and a faculty supervised project, formally taken by registering for CS598 (for up to 6 credit hours).  The project may be external as long as it is approved and co-advised by the faculty advisor. The project result may be in the form of a report or documented software.  Satisfactory completion of the project requires approval by the faculty advisor.
• Coursework:
  Completion of 9 additional electives hours.  Courses outside the department (e.g., from the sciences, schools of medicine and public health, or the business schools) may be taken if they coincide with the degree objective of the student.  Approval of electives will be by the Computer Science Committee.

Students may substitute at most one of the above electives with a relevant course from Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Biomedical Informatics, the Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, and appropriate schools at Georgia Tech through the ARCHE program.  When substituting courses, a student must obtain prior written approval from the thesis advisor and CSI/BMI DGS/program director(s). Students must complete their core courses with a grade of B or higher and complete all coursework by year two with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

• Transcripts: We will need copies of transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended, including your current one. They must be in English. and issued by the registrar's at your university. We do not  require official transcripts (issued by the registrar's at your university) as part of the application process, only if and when you are offered and accept admission.
• GRE scores: We will need your official GRE general exam score to be sent to us (institution code 5187). 
• Statement of purpose: Write candidly about why you want to pursue a Ph.D. in computer science and informatics, what kind of questions you have worked on in the past, what you intend to focus on in your studies and how you plan to use the research experience in your longer-term plan. 
• Curriculum Vitae: Provide a document listing relevant experiences and accomplishments, such as internships, awards and research experiences, that you believe will strengthen your application.
• Recommendation letters; We require three professionals with knowledge about your academic performance to write letters that evaluate your research potential and your teaching experience. Your application cannot be processed before we have received these letters.
• Application fee: The application fee is waived ($0) before October 31 (midnight PST). Starting November 1, the application fee is $75. 
• International applicants whose native language is not English must also complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Scholarships

In the M.S. programs, partial tuition scholarships are available on a competitive basis. There are no teaching assistantships available for those programs.