Ph.D. in Biomedical Data Science and Informatics (Clemson-MUSC Joint Program)

Biomedical data science and informatics is an interdisciplinary field that applies concepts and methods from computer science and other quantitative disciplines together with principles of information science to solve challenging problems in biology, medicine and public health.

The nation's transition to new healthcare delivery models and the exponential growth in biomedical data translate to a need for professionals with expertise in data science focused in biomedical research who can leverage big data to improve health in the state and the nation. Specialized tracks include precision medicine, population health, and clinical and translational informatics.

The program is a unique collaboration that brings together Clemson's strengths in computing, engineering, and public health and MUSC's expertise in biomedical sciences to produce the next generation of data scientists, prepared to manage and analyze big data sources from mobile sensors to genomic and imaging technologies. Graduates will possess the necessary skills for informatics careers in biology, medicine or public health focused on the development of prescriptive analytics from large data sources.

Curriculum

Each student will work with the graduate coordinator, academic advisor, and dissertation committee to construct a program of study that conforms to the requirements outlined below and takes into account both the student’s prior preparation and intended research area. In cases where the student comes to the program with prior coursework in a required area, the graduate coordinator may approve a substitution. In cases where a student lacks pre-requisites for a required course, the student will be asked to complete both the pre-requisite coursework and the required course. Because the curriculum will be tailored to each student, the time needed to complete the degree will vary, but in general, it is expected that students can complete the degree in five years or less.

Coursework (65-68 credit hours):

Additional requirements include passing a qualifying exam, a dissertation proposal, and ultimately a dissertation and its defense.

Students will have a designated "home institution" -- either Clemson or MUSC -- at which they will be physically located. However, all students in this program will take graduate classes from both institutions. Students will not be required to travel between campuses as courses will be made available to students both on-campus and via synchronous remote capability. Courses will be offered at the Clemson main campus, MUSC main campus, the University Center at Greenville, and the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center (on CURI campus, North Charleston).

This doctoral program is a research degree. Students will pursue one of three track specialty areas which include precision medicine, population health, and clinical and translational informatics. All students will have the opportunity to work directly with one or more program faculty members on research related to data science and informatics. Doctoral students will be immersed in the research environment and will actively engage in authoring research proposals, conducting research, writing abstracts and manuscripts, and presenting research findings.

*This course is delivered through Clemson University as part of a joint Biomedical Data Science and Informatics program.

Area I - Biomedical Informatics Foundations & Applications

Area II - Computing, Math, Statistics, & Engineering

Area III - Population Health, Health Systems, & Policy

Area IV - Domain Biology/Medicine

Area V - Lab rotations, seminars, doctoral research