The MD/MS Dual Degree program is for students aiming to be both physicians and informaticians. Through this unique program, students earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) also study at SBMI and earn a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics during their four years of medical school.
SBMI collaborates with two different UT System medical schools to offer the dual degree:
Dual Degree students will explore the wide range of applications of health and biomedical informatics in the quest to improve patient care. The program examines both electronic health records systems and clinical decision support systems and methods for enhancing those tools. Students learn about data interpretation and knowledge management as they discover how to collect, process, and transform health and biomedical data into health information and knowledge. Dual Degree students will understand core clinical informatics disciplines such as technology assessment, quality and outcome improvement, data analytics and precision medicine.
Students in the dual degree program must satisfy admission requirements and be admitted separately to each program. Students must meet the requirements of each program for its respective degree. Admission to one program does not ensure admission to the other. Students in the dual degree program will receive a diploma from each degree program after meeting the individual requirements of each program. Admission does not have to be done at the same semester for each school but must be done before reaching the maximum hours set by each School.
The applicant should present a completed application and official documentation of the following:
Applicant materials will be organized into a portfolio for review by the SBMI Admissions, Progression and Graduation (APG) Committee. The committee will consider such areas as:
Fall admission - July 1
Spring admission - November 1
Summer admission - March 1
Transfer credit is not accepted for students enrolled in the dual degree program due to the amount of shared credit hours between SBMI and the participating institution.
Courses that are being accepted at SBMI through a dual or joint degree program can only be transferred into the SBMI degree plan if the grade earned in the course is a “B” or higher. Courses for which grades of less than “B” were earned will not be accepted for transfer.
Academic Requirements
Each student follows a degree plan developed with the guidance of SBMI’s Office of Academic Affairs. A total of 39 semester credit hours must be completed prior to graduation.
A full-time student in the dual degree program has up to five years (15 semesters) from the time of entry to complete the required course work. A part-time student has up to ten years (30 semesters) from the time of entry to complete the required course work. Continuous enrollment is required unless approval is obtained. A maximum of one year of an approved leave of absence will be allowed for continuance in the program. If more than one year of leave occurs, the student must apply for readmission to the program.
Each course with a BMI prefix in the Biomedical Informatics degree plan is a graduate level, professional course and must be passed with a grade of “B” or better. Students must earn a grade of “B” or higher in all dual degree program courses, unless the course is graded on a Pass or Fail basis in which a grade of “Pass” must be earned. If a dual degree student earns less than a “B” in any required course, it must be retaken to continue in the program. A grade of “B” or higher must be earned on the second attempt to prevent dismissal from the program. The minimum grade point average (GPA) required for graduation is 3.0 on all BMI courses.
Computer Requirement
Every student is required to have reliable access to a computer that meets the minimum requirements. Students are encouraged to purchase a laptop that meets the minimum UTHealth requirements. Computer requirements are listed on the website(https://sbmi.uth.edu/current-students/student-handbook/computer-requirements.htm) and are subject to change.
Traditional Track
The Dual Degree program requires a minimum of 39 semester credit hours to earn the MS, including the completion of a practicum experience in the field of biomedical informatics. Students must complete 27 semester credit hours of SBMI coursework and 12 semester credit hours from the student’s MD program are accepted. The Dual Degree curriculum for the MS degree includes:
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Modules accepted by SBMI for the Dual Degree Program
Doctoring 1 Module: History and Physical (MS Year 1) – 4 semester credit hours
Doctoring 2 Module: Longitudinal Clinical Experience (MS Year 1) – 4 semester credit hours
Doctoring 3 Module: Longitudinal Clinical Experience (MS Year 2) – 4 semester credit hours
Total – 12 semester credit hours
UTRGV School of Medicine Modules accepted by SBMI for the Dual Degree Program
MEDI 8117: Molecules to Medicine Module (MS Year 1) – 3 semester credit hours
MEDI 8119: Attack & Defense (Evidence Based Medicine) (MS Year 1) – 3 semester credit hours
MEDI 8111-01 & 8111-02: Medicine, Behavior & Society (MS Year 1 & 2) – 3 semester credit hours
MEDI 8511: Mind, Brain and Behavior (MS Year 2) – 3 semester credit hours
Total – 12 semester credit hours
Students in the Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics must select an area of interest in which to apply the knowledge and skill gained during the didactic courses while participating in the required practicum course. Dual Degree students in the MD/MS program must complete at least 24 credit hours in their master’s program before participating in the practicum requirement. Students should work with the Practicum Coordinator for any necessary affiliation or program agreements with the practicum site, if agreements are not already in place. A practicum proposal must be submitted to the Practicum Coordinator by week three of the semester of enrollment in the practicum course and it must be approved, in writing, by the student’s Faculty Practicum Advisor. Students can complete all required practicum credit hours during one semester or the course can be repeated for a maximum of 3 semester credit hours (for BMI 6000) to meet degree requirements. During the course of the semester(s), student must create weekly logs to chronicle their hours, tasks, and reflections on how the duties of the practicum relate to Biomedical Informatics courses taken. Once the student has logged all 135 clock hours and concluded all practicum projects, she or he must create an 18 page, double spaced capstone report that details the major project they completed during their practicum. This report, along with other deliverables, will be submitted in completion of the practicum. If students have any questions regarding the practicum, they can contact the Practicum Coordinator or the Office of Academic Affairs.
For further curriculum information, please contact:
UTHealth School of Biomedical Informatics Office of Academic Affairs
7000 Fannin Street Suite 650
Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone: (713) 500-3591
Email: [email protected]