2006 - 2007 Catalog 2005 - 2006 Catalog The Master of Science degree in Medical and BioInformatics was developed in parallel with two other closely related M.S. programs, one in Biostatistics and another in Biotechnology. The curriculum for each of the three new programs is interdisciplinary, shares a common core, has a similar curriculum design, has a mandatory business/industry internship component, and can be characterized as a "professional science master's degree." The professional science master's degree is a newly developing type of graduate program: a terminal degree rather than a pathway to a Ph.D., interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary in nature, closely tied to the scientific workforce needs of business/industry, with an intensive internship experience. Curriculum Design: Each of the three professional science master's degree programs share courses common to all three programs, specific courses for critical content in each discipline, laboratory experiences essential for the development of requisite skill and knowledge sets, a common seminar series, a capstone course and internships to provide essential hands-on learning in the field. All three programs are interdisciplinary, non-thesis, and involve both the university and its industry partners. All three programs emphasize teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and scientific knowledge and technical skills. Each program is designed to integrate university coursework with business and industrial internships to better prepare students for the variety of career pathways associated with the life science and health science industries. Medical and BioInformatics Laboratory: The Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences contains a specifically designed Medical and BioInformatics Laboratory. Internships: A minimum of 4 credits of internship(s) is a required component of the Medical and BioInformatics program. Admission: In addition to the requirements listed in the Graduate Admission section, candidates must satisfy all the following: Grade point average of 3.0 (B) from all undergraduate coursework or a satisfactory score on the GRE or GMAT test. Resume detailing work experiences and accomplishments. Personal statement of career goals and background experiences, including an explanation of how this program will help achieve educational and professional objectives. Written recommendations from at least two individuals who are in positions to attest to the applicant's potential for successful completion of the program. Applicants must have a base of underlying knowledge relevant to graduate study in the Medical Informatics or Bioinformatics fields. This can be demonstrated by previous academic study or work experience. Consultation with a program faculty advisor is necessary to verify appropriateness of work experience as a substitute for academic preparation. Candidates without sufficient relevant background experience may satisfy any deficiency with appropriate graduate or undergraduate courses, as recommended by a faculty advisor in the program and approved by the Medical and BioInformatics Admissions Committee and the Program Director. A Medical and BioInformatics Program Admissions Committee will determine admission to the program. Admission to the M.S. in Medical and BioInformatics status may be full or conditional; conditional admission may be granted to applicants with deficiencies in their background. When identified deficiencies are satisfactorily met, the applicant will be granted full admission to the program. Applications for admission will be reviewed as they are submitted. All applications submitted by February 1 prior to the fall semester in which the applicant wishes to start the program will receive full consideration for one of the Graduate Assistantships. Degree Requirements: Overall requirements for the MS in Medical and BioInformatics consist of 36 credits, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Consistent with Grand Valley policy, all courses must be completed within 8 consecutive years from entry into the first graduate course. The specific course requirements include: 4 Common Core Courses: (12 cr) CS 661 Introduction to Medical & BioInformatics CMB 610 Foundations of Biotechnology PSM 650 Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Science Introduction to Biostatistics. Choose one of the following: STA 610 Applied Statistics for Health Professions STA 622 Statistical Methods for Biologists 2 Common Seminar Courses: (2 cr) PSM 661 Seminar in Professional Science Practice I PSM 662 Seminar in Professional Science Practice II 5 Directed Courses: (15 cr) CS 635 Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining CS 671 Information Visualization CS 673 Principles of Database Design Choose either Group 1 or Group 2: (2-Course Sequence) CS 677 High-Performance Computing and CS 678 Machine Learning CS 665 Clinical Information Systems and either: PA 630 Health Administration and Service Or PA 635 Hospital Organization and Management Internship: (4 cr) PSM 691 Internship Capstone Course: (3 cr) CS 691 Medical and BioInformatics Capstone