Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Biomedical and Health Informatics

Program Overview

The PhD BHI program enables informaticians from a variety of backgrounds, including practicing clinicians, computer scientists, biostatisticians, basic science researchers, and data scientists, to acquire essential skills to improve human health. The PhD program features three themes that allows informaticians to build on their existing strengths with advanced expertise in:

1. Data Analytics using statistical methodologies
2. Biomedical research
3. Computing and Data Science

This program is a full-time, research-oriented program that educates students to advance research in biomedical informatics for careers in industry, academia, health care, and government. The Population and Quantitative Health Sciences (PQHS) department has a rich history of providing an outstanding interdisciplinary learning environment that enables students to apply informatics methods to advance basic science and clinic research using advanced computing methodologies with a particular focus on dynamic Artificial Intelligence research. This unique environment leverages world-class resources available at the four affiliated hospital systems in Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, MetroHealth systems, and the Veteran Affairs of Cleveland.

All first-year full-time students in the PhD program are fully funded by the School of Medicine (Stipend, Tuition, and Health Insurance are included). After the conclusion of their first year, students will be supported by grants (research and training) held by their research mentor.

Important Note: The program information contained on this page is current as of May 1st, 2025. For the most current information, we advise you to review the PhD in Biomedical and Health Informatics program handbook. You can find the most recent Program Handbook here.

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Core Curriculum

All incoming PhD students take a required curriculum supplemented by additional coursework as determined by their mentoring or dissertation committees. The required curriculum contains courses that expose students to each of the required domains.

a

The SOM requires that PhD students who are 4 years beyond their initial RCR training in IBMS 500, register for IBMS 501.

b

Must take for at least six semesters.

c

Electives are chosen in consultation with the student’s mentor and mentoring committee.

d

PhD students can take between 1-9 credit hours of PQHS 701 per semester.

 Sample Plan of Study