QBS admissions requirements

It is the long-standing policy of Dartmouth College to actively support equality of opportunity for all persons regardless of race or ethnic background, and no student will be denied admission or be otherwise discriminated against because of race, color, gender, religion, age, national or ethnic origin. There is no quota for the number of international students we enroll each year. Education at Dartmouth thrives in a unique rural community of students and faculty who value differences and promote camaraderie and teamwork in order to learn from one another. The QBS Program strongly encourages applications from students of diverse backgrounds and cultures. The varied experience and interests they bring strengthen the Program and enriches the educational environment for all. A number of opportunities are also available for minority students through various programs and the office of the Director of Graduate Recruiting and Diversity in the Graduate Studies Office at Dartmouth College.

Admission into the QBS programs is based on appraisal of each applicant's undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, and the personal statement of goals. 

Master of Science with concentration in Health Data Science

All applicants should have taken at least 3 of the following courses.

  • 1 course in calculus
  • 1 course in statistics or equivalent experience
  • 1 course in programming or equivalent experience
  • 1 course in multivariable calculus
  • 1 course in linear algebra

Master of Science with concentration in Epidemiology

All applicants should have had coursework in all of the following.

  • 1 course in calculus
  • 1 course in statistics or equivalent experience
  • 1 course in programming or equivalent experience

Master of Science with concentration in Medical Informatics

All applicants should have had coursework in all of the following.

  • 1 course in calculus
  • 1 course in statistics or equivalent experience
  • 1 course in programming or equivalent experience

Accepted students joining the Master's degree program in any of the concentrations are expected to have gained competency in all 5 topics listed above before matriculation.

Doctor of Philosophy

Only students who intend to pursue a PhD degree full-time are accepted into the QBS PhD program. Admission is based on an appraisal of each applicant's undergraduate academic record, letters of recommendation, involvement in research or other activities which indicate a strong commitment to graduate study, and the personal statement of goals.

It is expected that all entering PhD students will have had coursework in all of the following.

  • 1 course in calculus
  • 1 course in statistics or equivalent experience
  • 1 course in programming or equivalent experience

Students with degrees in bioinformatics, biological sciences, computer sciences, engineering, epidemiology, mathematics, medical sciences, physical sciences, public health, statistics, and related areas such as anthropology and psychology are encouraged to apply. Applicants are encouraged to note any prior research experience relevant to the scientific programs being pursued in QBS laboratories. Such experience is particularly important for international applicants.

4+1 Master's degree for Dartmouth undergraduates

QBS offers a 4+1 option to Dartmouth undergraduates, allowing students to complete their Master's degree in 12 months after earning their Dartmouth undergraduate degree. 4+1 students are required to complete 3 eligible courses toward the QBS Master's degree while they are undergraduates. The 3 eligible courses do not need to be complete before application submission, but should be finished by completion of the undergraduate degree.

GRE submission requirements are waived.

Courses cross-listed at the graduate level in the Basic/Life sciences, Math, Computer Science, Engineering, Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Physics & Astronomy may qualify for the 4+1 program.

Interested Dartmouth undergraduates should email Susan Diesel at QBS for more information.

Internal Master's degree for PhD students

The internal QBS Master’s degree option is offered to PhD students at Dartmouth who are enrolled in a program other than QBS who have permission from their advisor and program.

Interested students should submit to the QBS Director and administration a signed letter of approval from their advisor indicating they acknowledge the course load and grant permission to pursue the degree. They also need to ensure that approval from their PhD program is communicated to QBS administration either by their program director or administration. Applications to the QBS Master’s program should be submitted online through the Dartmouth application system and must meet published deadlines for submission. Students are not required to resubmit transcripts from other institutes or test scores.

Students applying to the internal QBS Master’s program may begin to fulfill degree requirements prior to being accepted and will receive credit for any required course with a grade of Pass or higher. They must notify the QBS administration, their program, and advisor that they intend to pursue the internal MS should they wish to take more than 3 QBS courses.

Test scores

GRE scores are optional for the 2023 QBS admissions cycle. For details, see Apply to QBS.

Official TOEFL exam scores from ETS are required for international students who do not have a degree from an English speaking institution. For information about TOEFL requirements, see Apply to QBS.

Financial information

See Tuition and financial aid for information on financial support for students in the QBS Master's degree program.