Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, PhD
Big Data, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Clinical Informatics, Computer, Data Science, HCI, HeaOptBMI, Health Management, INFORMATIC, Imaging, Population Health, approved for STEM-OPT extension, biomedical, biostatistics
This program's name has changed effective Fall 2025. The previous name was Biomedical Informatics.
The curriculum is being reviewed for program changes and will be updated upon approval.
As a doctoral graduate, you'll be set up for success in the growing and innovative field of biomedical informatics through your depth of knowledge and unique skill set.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in biomedical informatics and data science enables students to develop expertise in areas such as bioinformatics, clinical informatics, population health management, and biomedical imaging science.
This program fosters collaboration among academic researchers, health care providers and industry partners and allows students to apply new developments in informatics theory to clinical practice, biomedical research and public health. Students may also explore cross-cutting areas such as artificial intelligence and digital health.
Students learn at the leading edge of the field through specialized coursework in an area of focus and independent research. The program fosters strong collaborative relationships with a variety of health care organizations, the bioscience industry and governmental agencies, providing an unparalleled opportunity for doctoral students to explore and contribute to advances in informatics.
Students should note that some courses and faculty offices are located at the Health Futures Center in North Phoenix.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
College of Health Solutions
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (22 credit hours)
BMI 502 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods I (3)
BMI 504 Introduction to Clinical Environments (3)
BMI 505 Foundations of Biomedical Informatics Methods II (3)
BMI 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3)
BMI 540 Problem Solving in Biomedical Informatics (3)
BMI 560 Teaching in Biomedical Informatics (2)
BMI 570 BMI Symposium (2)
BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics (3)
Electives (32 credit hours)
Research (18 credit hours)
BMI 792 Research (18)
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours)
BMI 799 Dissertation (12)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree in a related discipline may count up to 30 credit hours from the master's degree toward the total credit hours, with program approval.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- educational background essay
- resume or curriculum vitae
- three references (academic or professional)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Prior bachelor's or master's degrees in biology, computer science, engineering or statistics, or postbaccalaureate training as a health professional in medicine, nursing or pharmacy is preferred. Applicants who have earned degrees in other unrelated fields with appropriate academic backgrounds are also considered.
All applicants must have basic competencies in general biology (BIO 181 or equivalent), statistics (HCD 300 or STP 226 or equivalent) and computer programming (BMI 110 or CSE 110 or equivalent).
The statement of purpose should be one to two pages and indicate the applicant's interest in the program, knowledge of the field and career plans. Applicants are encouraged to connect with program faculty who could be potential research mentors and include this information in their statement if it is available at the time of application.
To accommodate students' diverse backgrounds, the applicant is asked to describe their educational and professional background in the following areas: computer science, decision sciences, artificial intelligence, statistics and mathematics, biological sciences and health sciences. This essay should be no longer than one page.
Contact information of three references is required. References are contacted via email to submit a letter of recommendation and respond to a series of questions about the applicant.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Generate designs to solve biomedical informatics problems.
- Apply theories, typology, frameworks, representations, methods, and processes used in different contexts of biomedical informatics
- Create new knowledge, including theories, typologies, frameworks, representations, methods, and processes, to address biomedical informatics problems
Professionals with advanced training in biomedical informatics and data science are in high demand across a variety of sectors and industries, including academic institutions, not-for-profit research institutes, and governmental and public health agencies and health care organizations, as well as the information technology, biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
Career examples include:
- bioinformatics scientist
- biostatistician
- data scientist
- deep learning engineer
- public health informatics scientist
- research scientist
- senior analyst
- software engineer
- university faculty
College of Health Solutions
|
HLTHN 401AA
CHSGrad@asu.edu
602-496-3300
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
