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Welcome to the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health!

Undergraduate

Degree Programs
BS - HDS

Bachelor of Science in Health Data Science

Health data science is a burgeoning, interdisciplinary field requiring a diverse set of skills to extract knowledge and insights from data. Health data scientists will be at the center of an estimated $300 billion value added to the American health sector annually by big data and analytics.

The Bachelor of Science in Health Data Science features an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates biostatistics, computer science and informatics that will create an attractive package for employers working with health data locally, nationally and internationally. Students will receive either a minor in computer science from the Department of Computer and Information Science, or a minor in Informatics from the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI.

Health Data Science Competencies

Upon completing the Bachelor of Science in Health Data Science, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate computing knowledge and “hacking” skills (data capture and visualization)
  • Analyze results using appropriate biostatistical methods (analytical skills)
  • Think critically and creatively to solve problems and discover meaning in large data (open-mindedness, curiosity)
  • Conduct biostatistical analyses in an ethical and responsible manner (professionalism)
  • Effectively communicate results of analyses to non- experts (communication, “story telling”, presentation skills).

Academic Requirements

Health Data Science majors must fulfill the IUPUI general education requirements corresponding the IUPUI's Statewide Transferrable General Education Core.

Health Data Science Public Health Core Courses

Take four courses for 12 credits

  • PBHL-A 316 Environmental Health Science (3 credits)
  • PBHL-E 322 Introduction to Epidemiology (3 credits)
  • PBHL-H 220 Policy and Management for Population Health (3 credits)
  • PBHL-S 315 Community Health (3 credits)

Health Data Science Major Courses

Take all 9 courses and internships for 27 credits

  • PBHL-B 275 Probability for Health Data Scientists: A Computational Approach (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 280 Biostatistics for Health Data Scientists: A Computational Approach (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 285 Classical Biostatistical Regression Methods (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 385 Contemporary Biostatistical Regression Methods (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 401 Health Data Science Internship I (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 402 Health Data Science Internship II (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 420 Introduction to Biostatistical Learning (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 481 Introduction to Biostatistical Computing (3 credits)
  • PBHL-B 490 Advanced Biostatistical Computing (3 credits)

Minor in Computer Science or Informatics

Computer and Information Science Minor

Take six courses for 20 credits

  • CSCI 23000 Computing I (4 credits)
  • CSCI 24000 Computing II (4 credits)
  • CSCI 34000 Discrete Computational Structures (3 credits)
  • CSCI 36200 Data Structures (3 credits)
  • CSCI 44300 Database Systems (3 credits)
  • CSCI 48100 Data Mining (3 credits)

Required Informatics Electives:

  • INFO-I 223 Data Fluency (3 credits)
  • INFO-I 453 Computer and Information Ethics (3 credits)

OR

Informatics Minor

Take six courses for 21 credits

  • INFO-I 101 Introduction to Informatics (4 credits)
  • INFO-I 210 Information Infrastructure I (4 credits)
  • INFO-I 211 Information Infrastructure II (4 credits)
  • INFO-I 223 Data Fluency (3 credits)
  • INFO-I 308 Information Representation (3 credits)
  • INFO-I 453 Computer and Information Ethics (3 credits)

Required Computer Science Electives:

  • CSCI 34000 Discrete Computational Structures (3 credits)
  • CSCI 36200 Data Structures (3 credits)

Electives

Take up to five elective courses (15 or 16 credits credits), at least four from PBHL, CSCI or INFO up to a total of 120 credits.

  • PBHL-B 452 Fundamentals of Data Management (3 credits)
  • CSCI-N 241 Fundamentals of Web Development (3 credits)
  • INFO-I 303 Organizational Informatics (3 credits)
  • INFO-I 402 Informatics Project Management (3 credits)
  • NEWM-N 220 Introduction to Media Application Development (3 credits)
  • NEWM-N 230 Introduction to Game Design and Development (3 credits)
  • COMM-C 180 Introduction to Inter-personal Communication (3 credits)
  • COMM-C 223 Business and Professional Communication (3 credits)
  • COMM-C 392 Health Communication (3 credits)

Degree Electives:

A minimum of 105 credit hours of required courses are listed for this curriculum. 39 credit hours are required in general education and preparatory courses and 12 required credit hours in public health. For those pursuing an informatics minor 53 credit hours are required in the major and minor areas. For those pursuing a computer science minor 54 credit hours are required in the major and minor areas. In addition, students must take a sufficient number of college-level elective courses to total a minimum of 120 credit hours. Contact the Office of Student Services at (317) 278-0753 for specific determinations.

 

Updated April 2020