Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Degree in Health Data Science at UC San Francisco

The Master of Science (MS) Degree in Health Data Science (MiHDaS) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a two-year, in-person program designed to equip students with the skills to apply biostatistics, data science, and epidemiological thinking in clinical research settings. This program is tailored for quantitative science learners interested in studying data science with a focus on biomedical applications, as well as numerically able biomedical scientists looking to apply data science methods in clinical, epidemiological, and biological sciences.

About Health Data Science

Health data science is an evolving discipline that responds to the explosion of available and complex data in biomedicine and other health-related fields. It is a rapidly growing field, with the San Francisco Bay Area being a powerhouse location for biotechnology and academia, thereby creating a high demand for health data scientists. Data scientists play a crucial role in driving advances in genetics, genomics, biomedical imaging, and computational biology, and they are essential in designing and analyzing clinical trials and observational studies, setting regulatory policy, and conceiving and executing laboratory experiments.

Curriculum

The Master’s degree students are required to complete a minimum of 36.0 units of coursework and a capstone project over a 2-year period. The curriculum is structured as follows:

• Year 1:
  • Summer: DATASCI 202 (3), DATASCI 213 (2)
  • Fall: EPI 203 (3), BIOSTAT 200 (3), DATASCI 214 (3), DATASCI 217 (2), DATASCI 220 (1)
  • Winter: BIOSTAT 208 (3), DATASCI 216 (3), DATASCI 220 (1), DATASCI 223 (2)
  • Spring: BIOSTAT 209 (3), DATASCI 220 (1), DATASCI 224 (3), EPI 201 (0.5)
• Year 2:
  • Summer: No required courses
  • Fall: DATASCI 221 (1), DATASCI 222 (8), DATASCI 300* (2)
  • Winter: DATASCI 221 (1), DATASCI 222 (8), HDS ELECTIVE**
  • Spring: DATASCI 221 (1), DATASCI 222 (8), HDS ELECTIVE
  *DATASCI 300 Educational Apprenticeship (can be any quarter of year 2) *Health Data Science (HDS) Elective selected from approved course list below (can be any quarter of the program). At least one must be completed.
  • DATASCI 226 – Bayesian Methods and Gaussian Processes
  • EPI 217 – Molecular and Genetic Epi

Capstone Project

The capstone project is a longitudinal project that students begin developing as part of their requirements for the MiHDaS degree. The project involves four components:

1. Submission of an abstract for a local, regional, national, or international meeting.
2. Manuscript: Preparation of a first-author peer-reviewed manuscript or a background and technological methodology report plus a non-first author peer-reviewed manuscript.
3. Compilation of an online code and analysis portfolio.
4. Master’s committee defense.

Educational Practice

Students in the program are expected to gain instructional experience for one course during their second year. This experience typically involves leading a weekly small-group discussion section, holding office hours for students, and grading homework assignments and projects.

Admissions

Minimum requirements for admission include:

• A Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) or the equivalent from an accredited institution in a quantitative or biomedical science, or related field, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
• International applicants must also demonstrate proficiency in English, with a minimum internet-based TOEFL iBT score of 100.

How to Apply

The application process involves submitting the following required materials:

• Transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended after high school.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
• Statement of Purpose (2,000 character limit including spaces).
• Personal History Statement (2,000 character limit including spaces).
• Application fee.

Cost

The master’s program is a minimum two-year course of study, requiring registration for seven quarters. The tuition and fees for the two-year master’s program total approximately $99,000 in the academic year, inclusive of UC Student Health Insurance premiums.

Financial Aid

UCSF Student Financial Services offers opportunities for students to apply for federal loans or federal work-study jobs through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Note that students in self-supported programs, including Health Data Science, are not eligible for gift aid or need-based grants. Non-US citizens and non-permanent residents are eligible for private educational loans.

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