MSc in Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics, San Diego State University

Bioinformatics (we also include Systems Biology here) and Medical Informatics (also called Biomedical, Health, or Clinical Informatics) are related multidisciplinary fields that rely on data mining and pattern recognition techniques to discover biological or clinical patterns in large amounts of data, e.g. data mining. The majority of research and development (R&D) in the two fields can be categorized into one of three branches. The first branch is the algorithm development branch in which R&D specialists use mathematical and engineering techniques (sometimes also approaches from physical sciences) to develop new, more efficient, and/or more accurate methods to mine biological or clinical data. ;The second branch falls within the software engineering paradigm and primarily focuses on R&D in human-computer interface. Specifically, the branch deals with data visualization and the design of graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the user to easily visualize and interpret the results of the algorithms developed by the first branch. The third branch includes those who work on finding answers to specific biological or medical questions. ;I want to find another Master Course;This includes those working to uncover the underlying mechanisms involved in specific biological systems or specific diseases. This branch also includes much of the work being conducted in the area of Systems Biology. ;This program offers training for all three branches of the two fields. Students can specialize in their area of interest in the second year of the program, while the first year is individually tailored to primarily fill in the holes in the student’s background required for her/his desired specialization. During the first year, students usually take basic courses within two of the following four disciplines (depending on their background): Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Mathematics/Statistics. All students are required to hold a thesis proposal presentation, but the oral thesis defense is only required for students in the classical MS track. ;Regional and industrial fit;Because San Diego is a major hub for the biotech industry (the largest in the country), the proposed program is especially well-suited to the region. The purpose of the Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics program at San Diego State University is to first serve the growing need of the local industry for graduates who are familiar with leading edge biological and clinical problems and have the skills to apply computing and mathematical techniques to solve them. Because of the high shortage in graduates in the field on a national scale, it is anticipated that some graduates of this program will find employment in other parts of the state or the country. Furthermore, it is also anticipated that a portion of the graduates will choose to continue their education or work in the academia. The program sets the goal of providing graduates for the above four needs.