Program Overview

PhD in Biomedical Informatics

The PhD program in Biomedical Informatics is part of the Coordinated Doctoral Programs in Biomedical Sciences. Students are trained to employ a scientific approach to information in health care and biomedicine. Students may only enroll full-time, as required by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The first two years are generally devoted to coursework and research. Subsequent years focus on independent research that culminates in a dissertation.

Program Overview

Our PhD students come from top universities in the country and around the world. The group is dynamic and engaged, breaking new ground in informatics research as evidenced by their strong publication records. Our students are highly collaborative, frequently assisting on each other’s projects, sharing ideas, and supporting each other.

Degree Requirements

• Courses: A minimum of 60 points of Columbia University graduate (4000 level or above) coursework, 6 residence units, consisting of:
  • Research each term (BINF G6001, BINF G9001)
  • 5 core classes
  • 2 domain (specialization) courses
  • 3 educational objectives courses
  • 1 ethics course (spring term of first year)
  • serving as a TA for 2 classes (or 1 class for MD-PhD students)
  • 1 research seminar each term

Ethics

PhD students are required to enroll in CMBS G4010 Responsible Conduct of Research and Related Policy Issues in their second term in the program.

Teaching Assistantship

Students are required to serve as teaching assistants (TAs) for two courses in the department. In order to earn credit for TA responsibilities, students need to register for two points of BINF G8010 MPhil Teaching Experience each semester in which they serve as a TA.

Seminar

PhD students are required to enroll in the weekly DBMI seminar. PhD students in the bio track are required to enroll in the DBMI seminar in their first year in the program, and may substitute the Systems Biology seminar in year 2 and beyond.

Residence Units

PhD students accrue 6 residence units for the degree. They are enrolled in the appropriate residence unit category by the GSAS Office of Graduate Affairs every fall and spring term.

Milestones

There are four milestones for PhD students:

• Breadth Exam
• Depth Exam
• Dissertation Proposal
• Dissertation Defense

Research

• Research Rotations: With the exception of MD-PhD students whose research rotation occurs between years 1 and 2 of medical school, all PhD students rotate in two different research labs their first year.
• Rotation Research Advisor: Prior to the start of the Fall and Spring semesters, first-year PhD students should contact the faculty with whom they are considering doing a rotation to request an appointment.
• Publications: PhD students and postdoctoral fellows are expected to make submissions to publications and conferences each year. The frequency and appropriateness of these submissions are decided by the research advisor.
• Funding: More information about funding sources and fellowships is available.