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Master of Science in Health Data Science

The Master of Science in Health Data Science is a new program offered by the Department of Biostatistics that launched in Fall 2023. The MS in Health Data Science program is designed for completion in four terms (twenty months) with a total of 48 credits.

Program Curriculum, Courses, and Prerequisites

The Master of Science in Health Data Science program includes the following courses:

• Core courses in Health Data Science (27 credit hours)
  • BIOSTAT 601: Probability and Distribution Theory (4 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 602: Biostatistical Inference (4 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 650: Applied Statistics I: Linear Regression (4 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 651: Applied Statistics II: Generalized Linear Models (3 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 625: Computing with Big Data (3 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 626: Machine Learning for Health Sciences (3 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 620: Introduction to Health Data Science (3 credits)
  • BIOSTAT 629: Case Studies in Health Big Data (3 credits)

Master's Programs Prerequisites

• Recommended courses:
  • Advanced calculus or real analysis
  • Computing: e.g., R, Python, C++
• Required courses:
  • 3 semesters of calculus
  • 1 semester of linear algebra
  • 1 semester of intro statistics Students with less preparation in mathematics or statistics may be conditionally admitted.

Additional Requirements and Electives (21 credits)

Elective options allow students to develop specialized knowledge and skills that will be helpful for sourcing employment opportunities post-graduation. These courses represent classes that have already been established at SPH or other units.

Epidemiology Requirement

All students in the School of Public Health are required to demonstrate competency in biostatistics and epidemiology. The epidemiology requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:

1. Completing Epidemiology 600 (Fall & Winter) or Epidemiology 601 (Fall)
2. Taking and passing the Epidemiology exemption examination
3. Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course
4. EPID 621 as an option for students funded by the Training Program in Cancer Research

Cognate Requirement

Rackham no longer requires a cognate for MS students. However, students enrolled in the MS program and planning to apply to the Ph.D. program should be aware that the Rackham 3 credit cognate requirement is still enforced for Ph.D. students.

Elective Biostatistics Courses (at least 1 required)

• BIOSTAT 617: Theory and Methods of Sample Design (3 credits)
• BIOSTAT 619: Clinical Trials (3 credits)
• BIOSTAT 653: Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOSTAT 675: Survival Time Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOSTAT 695: Analysis of Categorical Data (3 credits)

Elective Computing/Programming Courses (at least 1 required)

• BIOSTAT 607: Computing for Data Analytics (3 credits)
• BIOSTAT 615: Statistical Computing (3 credits)

Open Elective Courses

MS students will fill out the remaining required credit hours with courses to be selected from an approved list of over 100 courses.

Public Health Requirement

All MS students must complete an online course, Foundations of Public Health, which is offered as a non-credit requirement.

Sample Programs of Study for A Master in Health Data Science

The first cohort of students enrolled in the MS in Health Data Science will begin in the Fall 2023 semester and take approximately two years (4 semesters or 20 months specifically) to complete.

Financial Support

All students admitted to one of our residential programs are considered for financial support. There are four types of financial support that we offer our students: Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA), Training Grants, and Fellowships.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

Graduate Student Instructors are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week.

Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA)

GSRAs are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week on a research project.

Training Grants

Students are also supported through involvement in training grants which provide support similar to the GSRA or GSI appointments.

Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Awards for tuition assistance are available and are granted without a work obligation. These awards are generally made on the basis of academic merit, expected contribution to the field, and underrepresented backgrounds.

Financial Aid

Many of our students are offered funding as GSIs, GSRAs, or fellows. If a student does not receive such an offer, he or she may apply for financial aid through the University of Michigans Office of Financial Aid.