< Department of Biomedical Informatics

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master of science in biomedical informatics

Contact Information

SCI Advising Center

If you need additional information pertinent to the Department of Biomedical Informatics, please reach us at:
Email: sci.advising@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-3199

For additional University Admission information:
ASU Graduate College

For information on admission policies and procedures, please contact:
Graduate College
Arizona State University
Administration B-Wing, Room 170
PO Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003
Phone: (480) 965-6113
Email: grad-q@asu.edu

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Graduate Application

Department of Biomedical Informatics

Application materials for admission to the Biomedical Informatics program are sent out by ASU’s Graduate College Graduate Admissions office. Please see below for application deadlines, forms, financial aid and frequently asked questions.

DEADLINE: FALL 2009 ENROLLMENT

Our deadline date for all application materials to be submitted is: January 15, 2009

Please note: International applicants must submit all required materials by March 1, 2009 in order to process student visas. Admission for domestic students will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the summer.

Admission for the Department of Biomedical Informatics is very competitive. It is strongly recommended that all parts of the application be strong and complete. Please plan well in advance of the deadlines in order to receive full consideration for financial assistance from the department.


Application Forms

All applicants must apply on-line at https://sec.was.asu.edu/dgsadmissions/Index.jsp. At any point, if you have a question regarding application materials, please visit the Graduate College Web site at http://www.asu.edu/graduate.

U.S. Residents:

International Applicants:

International students can find additional information on the admission materials required by visiting the Graduate College's Web site at http://www.asu.edu/graduate.

Mail to:

Mail to:
Graduate College
Arizona State University
Administration B-Wing, Room 170
PO Box 871003
Tempe, AZ 85287-1003

Please include your Document Reference Number on all materials you send. No application will be evaluated until all documents have been received.

Application Status Inquiries

The Department of Biomedical Informatics CANNOT notify students over the phone or through email about the status of their application. Once a decision is reached by the Biomedical Informatics Graduate Admissions Committee, those decisions are forwarded to the Graduate College, and the Graduate College will communicate, in writing, to the student, the status of their application admission or denial.

Please contact the Department of Biomedical Informatics if you have questions if your admissions file is complete. All other inquiries on admissions status can be directed to the Graduate College.


Financial Aid

Research assistantships are available, including sponsored research support. Positions are highly competitive, and only exceptional new students are offered financial aid upon admission. Annual stipends (9 month contract) are approximately $12,000. The research assistantship will also cover tuition and health insurance costs for those working 20 hours per week. * Please note that financial aid is only awarded to students after they are officially admitted to the graduate program.

In order to obtain a research assistantship, please contact the individual faculty member in the areas of research that match your research interests. A listing of the faculty and their research interests are available.

If you have additional financial aid questions, please contact the Student Financial Assistance office directly:

Student Financial Assistance
Arizona State University
PO Box 870412
Tempe, AZ 85287-0412
(480) 965-3355 (General Questions)
(480) 965-4845 (Scholarships)
Web Address: http://www.asu.edu/fa/

 

Summary Checklist of the Admission Process

Use the Graduate Studies checklist when preparing your application (both for applying electronically or by mail). For further information and the checklist, see Graduate Admissions


Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the status of my application?

The Department of Biomedical Informatics cannot communicate over the phone or by email the status of an application. We can only respond to a student whether or not ASU has received all of the required application materials. Once an admission decision is made by the Biomedical Informatics Graduate Admissions Committee, students will be notified in writing by the Graduate College. Neither the Graduate College nor the Department of Biomedical Informatics can provide any information to an applicant's family members. This information is confidential and protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

2. What are the requirements to be admitted to the Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics program?

Students must submit an official ASU Graduate Admissions application (including a resume/CV and a Statement of Purpose), GRE scores or other graduate-level entry exam (as stated above), official transcripts and TOEFL scores (if applicable). Students are also required to submit 3 letters of recommendation. The department also requires undergraduate preparation. All applicants must have basic competencies in college calculus, general biology, anatomy and physiology, statistics, and computer programming.

3. Is the GRE mandatory?

The GRE or any other relevant graduate level entry exam (such as the MCAT) is mandatory for admission to the program except for those who have graduated from ASU’s undergraduate B.S. in Computer Science or B.S.E. in Computer Systems Engineering.

4. What is the minimum score you will accept for the TOEFL?

The TOEFL requirement is 550 (paper), 213 (computer) or 8 (IBT).

5. Can I apply after the deadline dates?

While students who meet the specified deadline dates will be given top priority in our highly competitive programs, students can submit applications after the deadline dates, but take the chance on their applications not being reviewed.

6. Can I get an assistantship?

We always encourage our students to apply for assistantships. The BMI faculty evaluates each applicant and determines the awards. Students are strongly encouraged to contact individual faculty members if they are seeking research assistantships.

7. Can I send unofficial documentation or does it have to be official documentation?

The Graduate College will only accept OFFICIAL documents. Please do not send anything unofficial to the Graduate College, for it risks the possibility of delaying your application.

8. Will you evaluate my resume and tell me if I am qualified for admission?

We do not pre-evaluate student credentials. Students are encouraged to talk with our faculty to discuss their research interests and education/professional background, and then apply for admission. The Biomedical Informatics Graduate Admissions committee will evaluate each application file and determine if they are eligible for the program or not. The Graduate College makes the final determination on acceptance.

9. How long will it take me to graduate?

Master's degree programs are usually two-year programs, but it can take up to six years, depending on the student's thesis option and work schedule.

10. If I take classes from another university, how many of them can I transfer to ASU?

A student can transfer a maximum of six hours (6) from another accredited institution with a grade of A or B.