The MD/MS Dual Degree pathway 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 McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston and earn a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics during their four years of medical school.
The applicant should present a completed application and official documentation of the following:
NOTE: F-1 students will be sponsored by the Medical School.
Applicant materials will be reviewed by the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics 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
The application process for the Doctor of Medicine is determined by the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, the UTRGV School of Medicine, or Baylor College of Medicine, respectively. The application process for the Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics is determined by the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics.
Transfer credit is not accepted for students enrolled in the dual degree program due to the amount of shared credit hours between McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics and the participating institution.
Courses that are being accepted at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, through a dual or joint degree program, can only be transferred into the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics 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 the Office of Academic Affairs at McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics. A signed degree plan will be filed each academic year that includes the required and/or elective courses as specified for the student’s dual degree program. A total of 39 semester credit hours must be completed prior to graduation.
A student in the MD/MS Program in Biomedical Informatics has up to eight years (24 semesters) from the time of entry to complete the required course work. A student who has not enrolled in two consecutive registration periods (including the summer session) must submit to the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics Office of Academic Affairs a Reentry Form and new goal statement signed by the student’s advisor indicating approval for reentry to the program. A student who has not enrolled for three or more consecutive registration periods will be dismissed and must reapply for admission to the program and the School.
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 Houston 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 MD/MS 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 McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics coursework and 12 semester credit hours from the student’s MD program are accepted. The program curriculum for the MS degree includes:
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston Modules accepted by McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics for the Dual Degree Pathway 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 McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics for the Dual Degree Pathway 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
Baylor College of Medicine Modules accepted by McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics for the Dual Degree Pathway Program
MBPP2-Main: Patient, Physician and Society I (MS Year 1) – 1 semester credit hours
MBPP3-Main: Patient, Physician and Society II (MS Year 1) – 3 semester credit hours
Clinical Application of Basic Sciences: Evidence Based Medicine (MS Year 2) – 2 semester credit hours
Clinical Application of Basic Sciences: Business & Leadership in Medicine (MS Year 2) – 3 semester credit hours
Research and Populations in Medicine (MS Year 1) – 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. 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 contact 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:
McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UTHealth Houston
Office of Academic Affairs
7000 Fannin Street Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77030
Telephone: (713) 500-3591
Email: [email protected]