Should I pursue a Masters of Science Degree in Biomedical Informatics?

November 8, 2009 10:00 AM

Should I pursue a Masters of Science Degree in Biomedical Informatics?

I graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Management Information Systems back in May 2008. I've spent the past two years working for a Fortune 100 company as a Systems Administrator.

I enjoy my current work, but I'd like to use my IT skills to work in a more meaningful industry that has a lot of room for improvement and that deeply impacts people's lives, like healthcare!

I was randomly looking at Masters Degree programs one day when I came across the Biomedical Informatics Degree program.

I have a few questions that I feel I should attempt to answer before I apply for the program.

1. Do I get to choose what I want to research as a graduate student, or do I research what my professors want me to research? Does it depend on whether or not I get a Research Assistantship? Are those difficult to get?

2. How much Biological/Physiological/Chemical knowledge should I have to be successful in this program? I'm planning on taking a General Biology class to learn more about the "Biomedical" part of "Biomedical Informatics." I got A's in Biology and Chemistry in HS. :)

3. What are some potential job opportunities once I graduate, preferably in the Phoenix area? Companies? Titles? Earnings potential?

4. What are the greatest opportunities for computer applications in the health care field? To borrow a description of Biomedical Informatics, I would like to "develop novel information technology, computer science and knowledge management methodologies for disease prevention, treatment, more efficient and safer patient care delivery, and knowledge access."

The main point is that I want to help people with my IT skills, and this seems like a great way to do it. Should I do more research before I make a decision like this, or should I just do it! What are some good resources to learn more about the field?

Thanks!

posted by speedoavenger to Education (3 answers total)

You get to choose (generally) what you want to research, but if you get a RA position, you'll be working on whatever project your boss wants you to work on.

If you're interested in the database/information storage and retrieval aspect of biomedical informatics, I don't think you should be worried too much about having your basic biology knowledge tested. The biggest types of data in this field are imaging (like CT, MR, microscopy), and genetic and protein sequencing. Knowing something about these technologies would be most helpful.
posted by demiurge at 10:34 AM on November 8, 2009

I think this degree might also be useful as medical and insurance groups analyze data to develop "best practice" guidelines. And if you have the time, you might consider a paid/volunteer position front office position in some type of clinical or medical lab setting. I gather most of your experience is not clinical and this might help you gain practical knowledge. That would be more relevant/beneficial than intro biology, imo, assuming you've any kind of ability to pick up basic medical knowledge on the fly. But I might feel differently about this depending upon how much biology/medical background you already have and what your very long term career goals are.
posted by beaning at 11:57 AM on November 8, 2009

Thank you beaning and demiurge. Your insights are much appreciated.
posted by speedoavenger at 5:57 PM on November 10, 2009