Program Overview

Biomedical Informatics & Data Science, PhD

The Biomedical Informatics & Data Science Program is a graduate training program at Washington University in St. Louis, housed under the Roy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences (DBBS). PhD training in Biomedical Informatics and Data Science (BIDS) at Washington University is offered by the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences with faculty leadership from the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB).

Mission and Purpose

• The mission of I2DB is to focus on the informatics, data science, and biostatistics landscape at WashU Medicine to transform research, education, and patient care.
• The purpose of the BIDS PhD program is to provide opportunities for graduate students with diverse backgrounds to gain expertise in the field of biomedical informatics, to train as future biomedical researchers and industry leaders in biomedical informatics and data science core competencies, and to engage in scholarly activities under the guidance of experienced informatics faculty.

Objectives

• Expand students’ knowledge in data science theories and applications in biomedical informatics.
• Provide training and hands-on research and industry experience in biomedical informatics and data science.
• Assist students in enhancing and applying their skills in translational science, real-world problem solving, and dissemination of knowledge.
• Encourage students to pursue careers in academia and/or industry through exposure to professional role models or mentors.
• Develop and improve students’ skills in interdisciplinary teamwork and communication.

Program Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Total Units Required: 36 credits
• Degree Length: 7 years
  • Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with academic milestones.
  • Students entering their seventh year in the program will receive a warning letter regarding reaching their stated degree length.
  • Students entering their eighth year in the program will be required to obtain permission from the Associate Dean of Graduate Education.

Grade Requirement

• Required courses generally consist of four to nine courses in areas fundamental to the student's program.
• Students are expected to maintain a B average in graduate courses.

Required Courses

DBBS Required Courses

• BIOL 5098 Graduate Research Fundamentals
• BIOL 5011 Ethics and Research Science

Program Required Courses

• BMI 5302 Introduction to Biomedical Informatics I
• BMI 5303 Introduction to Biomedical Informatics II
• BMI 5304 Introduction to Biomedical Data Science I
• BMI 5305 Introduction to Biomedical Data Science II

Advanced Electives

• BIDS students must take three semesters of advanced electives.
• Common elective coursework includes:
  • BMI 5204 Mixed Methods in Biomedical Informatics
  • BMI 5205 The Electronic Health Record
  • MSB 503 Statistical Computing with SAS
  • MSB 560 Biostatistics I
  • MSB 570 Biostatistics II
  • MSB 621 Computational Statistical Genetics
  • MSB 550 Intro to Bioinformatics

Journal Clubs

• BIDS students must complete four semesters of journal clubs.
• BMI 5200 Biomedical Informatics Research in Progress is a recommended journal club for BIDS students.

Laboratory Rotations

• Selecting a thesis advisor is the most important decision a student makes in graduate school.
• To help each student make an informed, thoughtful choice, the Division builds in flexibility to explore options.
• Students usually participate in three lab rotations during their first year.
• Additional rotations can be arranged, and rotation lengths are flexible.
• Students usually begin their thesis research by the end of their first year.

Scientific Scholarship

• Keeping abreast of scientific developments is critical for faculty and students alike.
• The Division offers many ways to stay current, including:
  • More than 15 weekly biology seminars
  • Several annual symposia
  • Journal clubs
  • Interdisciplinary Research Pathways
  • Program retreats
  • Funds for professional development

Qualifying Examinations

• Progress toward the PhD is contingent upon the student passing examinations that are variously called preliminary, qualifying, general, comprehensive, or major field exams.
• The qualifying process varies according to the program.
• In some programs, it consists of a series of incremental, sequential, and cumulative exams over a considerable time.
• In others, the exams are held during a relatively short period of time.
• Exams may be replaced by one or more papers.

Program-Specific Information

• In the spring semester of Year 2, students must pass a Qualifying Exam (QE).
• Following a successful QE defense, students will identify and finalize their committee and complete their thesis proposal by December 31 of Year 3.

Mentored Experience Requirements

• Doctoral students at Washington University must complete a department-defined Mentored Experience.
• The Mentored Experience Requirement is a doctoral degree requirement that is notated on the student’s transcript when complete.
• Each department has an established Mentored Experience Implementation Plan in which the number of units that a student must earn through Mentored Teaching Experience(s) and/or Mentored Professional Experience(s) is defined.

Philosophy of Teaching

• Effective communication of information and concepts is a critical skill for biomedical research scientists.
• Although much of the teaching that scientists engage in is through one-on-one interactions with individuals in the laboratory, all scientists must have fundamental instruction in and experience with pedagogy principles, be able to deliver effective lectures to a wide audience, and be prepared to teach courses to undergraduate and graduate students.

Preparatory Engagement

• Preparatory Engagement activities are those that represent an introduction to the foundational skills associated with teaching or communication.
• Pedagogical preparation engagement activities are normally completed before students are permitted to engage in assisting or teaching in a classroom.

Mentored Teaching Experiences (MTEs)

Assistant in Instruction (AI)

• An Assistant in Instruction (AI) is a PhD student who is directly engaged in the organization, instruction, and/or support of a semester-long course primarily taught by a faculty member.
• An AI receives mentorship from a faculty member related to best practices in classroom engagement, instruction in the field, interpersonal engagement, and other relevant skills.

Required Pathways for Completion

• Students work with their faculty mentor and their Director of Graduate Studies to plan how and when they will complete their MERs.
• Students register during the normal registration period for courses in accordance with one of these approved pathways.

Optional Activity: Professional Intensive Pathway (PIP)

• The PIP is an optional pathway for those students whose career interests lie outside of academia or who want to benefit from mentored professional experiences (MPEs).
• An MPE is an unpaid professional experience for PhD students that allows students to develop skills and experiences relevant to their intended career outcomes.

The Doctoral Dissertation

• A Research Advisory Committee (RAC) must be created no later than the end of the student's third year; departments may set shorter timelines for this requirement.
• As evidence of the mastery of a specific field of knowledge and of the capacity for original scholarly work, each candidate must complete a dissertation that is approved by their RAC.

The Dissertation Defense

• Approval of the written dissertation by the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is strongly recommended before the student can orally defend the dissertation.
• The Doctoral Dissertation Committee that examines the student during the defense consists of at least five members.

Submission of the Dissertation

• After the defense, the student must submit an electronic copy of the dissertation online to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences.
• The submission website requires students to choose among publishing and copyrighting services offered by ProQuest’s ETD Administrator.

Additional Information

• For more details on the program, please refer to the Biology & Biomedical Sciences page.
• The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in biomedical informatics and data science, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or government.