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Biomedical Informatics
Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions

 

Q: Do you offer on-line courses or degrees?

          No on-line courses or degrees are available from our program at this time.

Q: What are the prerequisites for entering the degree program in Biomedical Informatics?

The basic requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, biology, nursing, medicine, public health, or information management or related discipline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to have knowledge of a computer programming language, and at least an introductory course in computer data structures and algorithms. Students who lack a background in health science should consider taking a course in human anatomy and physiology, or in hospital systems and management.

Q: I am taking or took courses in Biomedical Informatics at another institution. Can I transfer these credits as part of the requirements for the degree program at Columbia?

No. The Biomedical Informatics program has its own curriculum which is not satisfied by other coursework. However, courses in computer science, health care, and statistics will make your application stronger.

Q: What is the application deadline?

For Fall 2008 admission, the deadline is December 08, 2007.

Q: Do you accept applicants for the Spring term in January?

With the exception of the non-degree postdoctoral trainees, all applicants must begin their studies in the Fall term in August.

Q: How do I receive an application for the Biomedical Informatics program?

All prospective students must apply using Columbia's on-line application. Applications are no longer mailed to prospective students. The application fee is $85. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted as attachments to your on-line application. Official transcripts should also be submitted by mail to the Graduate Affairs Office, Columbia University, 701 W. 168th Street, HHSC 205, New York, NY  10032, tel. (212) 305-8058, fax. (212) 305-1031, e-mail: biomedicalsciences@columbia.edu  To submit an on-line application or for further application instructions, click here.

Q: I was supposed to receive a code to check my application status on-line and/or I wish to confirm receipt of my application materials.  How do I inquire about my application status or completeness of my application?

Contact the Graduate Affairs Office of GSAS to find out about your application status (212-305-8058, biomedicalsciences@columbia.edu) or to inquire about whether your application is complete.  Our department does not update applicants on their status nor provide codes to check on-line.  Requests for codes not received should be directed to GSAS.  Letters of admission or rejection will come directly from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, not from our department.  Applicants should expect to receive admission decisions for our department from GSAS by April 15.

Q: When will I receive notification of the admission decision?

Letters of admission or rejection will come directly from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), not from our department.  Applicants should expect to receive admission decisions for our department from GSAS by April 15.

Q: Where do I send my transcripts or letters of recommendation?

          Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted as attachments to your on-line application. Official

           transcripts should also be submitted by mail to the Graduate Affairs Office, Columbia University, 701 W. 168th

          Street, HHSC 205, New York, NY  10032, tel. (212) 305-8058, fax. (212) 305-1031, e-mail:

          biomedicalsciences@columbia.edu 

Q: What will it cost me to pursue a degree in Biomedical Informatics?

For the terminal master's program, students are expected to cover all costs incurred, either through personal finances or outside scholarships.  The department does not provide departmental funds toward pursuit of the master's degree for non-postdoctoral MA students. Fees for tuition and health insurance are determined annually by Columbia University, and are based on whether attendance is full-time, half-time, or quarter-time. For information on financing your education at Columbia University, please click here.

For PhD students and degree-seeking postdoctoral fellows, full tuition coverage, Columbia health insurance coverage, and a stipend is provided.  Non-degree postdoctoral fellows receive a stipend and health insurance coverage.

GRE Requirements

Q: Is the GRE required for admission into your programs?

The GRE is required for all PhD and MA applicants to the Biomedical Informatics program. Since there is no subject test in Biomedical Informatics, the general test is all that is required. MCAT scores can be submitted in place of the GRE scores for MA applicants and Postdoctoral degree applicants.

Q: How are GRE scores evaluated?

While the GRE is but one measure used to evaluate candidates, higher GRE scores may make your application more competitive.  Nonetheless, all components of the application (transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, prior research experience and publications) are reviewed and considered important.

Q: How long are GRE records valid?

The testing agency (Educational Testing Service or ETS) will not report scores older than 5 years.

Q:  What is the institutional code where I may send GRE scores?

 

         The institutional code for Columbia University where you may send GRE scores is 2619.  No department code is 

         required.

TOEFL Requirements

Q: What is the minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL?

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires a TOEFL score of at least 600 on the written test, 250 on the computer based test or 100 on the internet based test for all admitted applicants.  Applications with test scores below these thresholds required by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will not be considered by our department.  A foreign application is considered incomplete without the results of a TOEFL exam.  Those interested in waiving the TOEFL requirement due to graduation from institutions where English was the primary language should contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Graduate Affairs Office at (212) 305-8058 (telephone) or biomedicalsciences@columbia.edu (e-mail)

* Official test scores must be requested from ETS using institutional code 2619.

Q:  To whom may I inquire if I am exempt from the TOEFL requirement?

 

         If you wish to determine whether the TOEFL requirement applies to you, please contact the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Affairs Office, telephone (212) 305-8058, e-mail biomedicalsciences@columbia.edu

 

Degree Program Requirements

Q: What is the difference between the Master's Program and the Postdoctoral Fellowship (degree-granting) Program?

The Master of Arts degree prepares trainees for practical, hands-on careers in health care, consulting, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. This program can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis and is self-funded.

The degree-granting Postdoctoral Fellowship prepares trainees for research positions in health care, biomedical research, education, and industry and leads to an M.A. or Ph.D. degree. It must be pursued full-time and is students receive full funding.  Trainees with a health professional doctorate or a PhD in another field are eligible for this program.

Q: How long does it take to complete the MA degree?

The MA program (30 points of study and two residence units) can be completed part-time (3 courses per semester, 1/2 residence unit each semester) in 4 semesters (2 years). As a full-time student, it is possible to finish in one calendar year (including summer).  Most students take 2 years to complete the degree.

Q: Can I enter the MA program as a full-time student?

Yes. As a full-time student, it is possible to finish the MA degree in one calendar year (this includes summer session).

Q: After I finish the MA degree, will I be eligible for the PhD degree?

The MA program is a separate program from the doctoral program. Applicants should chose one or the other, depending on their needs. The MA program is usually chosen by applicants interested in working in industry, while the PhD program is for those desiring seeking careers as scientists. If you complete the MA program, you must submit a new application to enter the PhD program. 

Q: Can I enter the PhD program as a part-time student?

No. The PhD program can only be pursued through full-time study.

Q: Can I keep my current job while pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Informatics?

No. The PhD program can only be pursued through full-time study. You will have to quit your job. All PhD students are supported with a stipend.  The hours they are required to work on coursework and research preclude full-time employment outside of the department.

Q: In addition to coursework, what else is required for the PhD degree?

Serving as a teaching assistant for two courses; successfully passing two oral qualifying examinations and an oral defense of the proposal and dissertation; completing a dissertation.

Q: Is there any constraint on what electives may be taken?

Electives are tailored to the needs of each student. Areas in which the student is weakest should be addressed first. It is expected that all students will first take courses that fulfill the educational objective requirements before enrolling in electives.  For more information about DBMI educational objective requirements, click here.  In addition, the student should be exposed to as wide a spectrum of study as possible, seeking a balance of biomedical informatics, computer science, biostatistics, and public health.

Special Programs

Q: Is it possible for me to take some courses in Biomedical Informatics without enrolling in a degree program?

Yes, you may take courses through the School of Continuing Education. Call (212) 854-2820 or send e-mail to ce-info@columbia.edu for more information.  Some higher level courses may require the permission of the instructor.  The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) imposes a limit of 15 points and 1 residence unit that may be transferred from Continuing Education into a GSAS degree program for those students who decide to apply to our program after enrolling in our courses as a non-matriculated student.

Q: If I am enrolled as a postdoctoral fellow in Biomedical Informatics at Columbia, am I eligible for the MA degree?

Most postdoctoral fellows in Biomedical Informatics at Columbia are Master's students. Those who are eligible for NLM-supported post-doctoral positions may be supported as postdoctoral fellows while they are candidates for the MA degree. Occasionally, individuals who already have a PhD in biomedical informatics or a closely related field will be accepted as a postdoctoral trainee, possibly with NLM support, but without the requirement of doing an additional degree. Such applicants should seek a relationship with a specific faculty member with whom they wish to work during their postdoctoral training years. You should contact the faculty member directly with whom you wish to pursue research as a non-degree postdoctoral fellow or your may apply through our regular admissions process with applications due in December.

Q: Is there a combined program in which I may obtain both the M.D. degree and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Informatics?

Yes, there is what is called a "cooperative program" between the School of Physicians and Surgeons and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The program consists of 1 and a half years of the M.D. curriculum, followed by a minimum of 3 years for the Ph.D. degree, and subsequent completion of the remainder of the M.D. requirements. The M.D./Ph.D. program is handled completely separately from our Ph.D. program and we are notified by the School of Physicians and Surgeons of the candidates who will join our Ph.D. program.  For further inforamtion about this program, you may contact Stacey Warren at ksk3@columbia.edu , (212)342-5653.

Q: Is there a combined program in which I get can both the M.D. degree and an M.A. in Biomedical Informatics?

Yes, you may receive both degrees together if admitted to both programs separately. You would need to submit two separate applications, one to the School of Physicians and Surgeons and the other to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  Your M.A. degree requirements would need to fit within the schedule devised by the School of Physicians and Surgeones.