Modern biomedical research relies on both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Multidisciplinary approaches bring several different scientific disciplines such as bioinformatics and genetics to bear on a research question. Interdisciplinary approaches synthesize knowledge and methods from other disciplines to provide an integrated framework for solving complex biomedical problems in new ways.

The rapid advancement of high-throughput technologies such as DNA microarrays and mass spectrometry for measuring biological systems and their application as part of translational medicine has generated a significant demand for investigators doing cutting-edge research in quantitative disciplines such as bioinformatics, biostatistics and epidemiology. Those with the greatest impact are cross-trained in multiple disciplines giving them the ability to synthesize and integrate several disciplines to provide a truly interdisciplinary approach to solving complex biomedical problems.

The goal of the doctoral program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences is to prepare PhD students for careers at the intersection of biomedical research and quantitative sciences such as bioinformatics, biostatistics and epidemiology.

The requirements for the PhD degree in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences are listed below.

Required Coursework

Ethics

• QBS 700 Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

QBS 110

• QBS 110 Integrative Biomedical Sciences Seminar (0.5 unit)

Core Courses

6 units from the following core courses with at least 1 unit in each area

Bioinformatics

• Students without bioinformatics backgrounds are encouraged to enroll in QBS 146, which looks broadly at computational tools and bioinformatic applications. Those with advanced bioinformatics experience can alternatively enroll in Introduction to Statistical Genetics, QBS 148.
  • QBS 146 Foundations of Bioinformatics I
  • QBS 148 Introduction to Statistical Genetics

Biostatistics

• The QBS biostatistics curriculum is designed to start with either 119 or 120 in the Fall term followed by 121 in Winter. After 121, students will have sufficient background for the later QBS biostatistics and machine learning courses (108, 122, 124, 126, 177). However, students are encouraged to take 120 vs. 119 if they want to enroll in QBS 122 or 124, given the more mathematical/theoretical nature of these classes. Students who have recently taken a graduate-level equivalent to 119/120 or 121 may opt to skip these classes and directly enroll in more advanced courses (permission of the advanced course instructor is required).

  • QBS 108 Machine Learning
  • QBS 119 Foundations of Biostatistics I: Applied Biostatistics
  • QBS 120 Foundations of Biostatistics I: Statistical Theory for the Quantitative Biomedical Sciences 
  • QBS 121 Foundations of Biostatistics II: Regression Modeling
  • QBS 122 Foundations of Biostatistics III: Modeling Complex Data
  • QBS 124 Advanced Biomedical Data Analysis
  • QBS 126 Analysis of Densely Collected Longitudinal Data
  • QBS 177 Methods of Statistical Learning for Big Data

Epidemiology

• Students who have never taken a graduate-level course in epidemiology should first take QBS 130. Students who have taken 130 or equivalent may take 131, 132, 133, 136 and/or 137. 136 and 137 should not be the only epidemiology coursework taken to meet core course requirements.

  • QBS 130 Foundations of Epidemiology I: Theory and Methods
  • QBS 131 Foundations of Epidemiology II: Theory and Methods 
  • QBS 132 Molecular Biologic Markers in Human Health Studies
  • QBS 133 Clinical Epidemiology
  • QBS 136 Applied Epidemiological Methods (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 137 Applied Epidemiological Methods II (0.5 unit)

Electives

Choose 3.5 units from this list

QBS:

• QBS 101 Foundations of Programming for Data Scientists
• QBS 101.1: Intermediate Programming (winter)
• QBS 108 Applied Machine Learning
• QBS 110.5 Integrative Biomedical Sciences Seminar Project (0.5 unit)
• QBS 119 Foundations of Biostatistics I: Applied Biostatistics
• QBS 120 Foundations of Biostatistics I: Statistical Theory for the Quantitative Biomedical Sciences
• QBS 121 Foundations of Biostatistics II: Regression Modeling
• QBS 122 Biostatistics III: Modeling Complex Data
• QBS 123 Biostatistics Consulting Lab (0.5 unit)
• QBS 124 Advanced Biomedical Data Analysis
• QBS 126 Analysis of Densely Collected Longitudinal Data
• QBS 130 Foundations of Epidemiology I: Theory and Methods
• QBS 131 Foundations of Epidemiology II: Theory and Methods
• QBS 132 Molecular Biologic Markers in Human Health Studies
• QBS 133 Clinical Epidemiology
• QBS 136 Applied Epidemiological Methods I
• QBS 137 Applied Epidemiological Methods II (0.5 unit)
• QBS 139 Advanced Methods in Health Services Research
• QBS 140 Decision & Cost-Effective Analysis
• QBS 147 Genomics: From Data to Analysis
• QBS 146 Foundations of Bioinformatics I
• QBS 148 Introduction to Statistical Genetics
• QBS 177 Methods of Statistical Learning for Big Data
• QBS 180 Data Visualization (0.5 unit)
• QBS 181 Data Wrangling
• QBS 192 Health Informatics
• QBS 195 Independent Study

Thayer School of Engineering:

• ENGM 179.1 Strategy (0.5 unit)
• ENGM 181 Marketing
• ENGM 182 Data Analytics
• ENGM 183 Operations Management
• ENGM 184 Introduction to Optimization Methods
• ENGM 188 Law for Technology and Entrepreneurship
• ENGM 189.1 Medical Device Commercialization (0.5 unit)
• ENGM 189.2 Medical Device Development (0.5 unit)
• ENGM 190 Platform Design, Management, and Strategy
• ENGM 191 Product Design and Development
• ENGM 204 Data Analytics Project Lab
• ENGS 102 Game-theoretic Design, Learning and Engineering
• ENGS 162 Basic Biological Circuit Engineering
• ENGS 262 Advanced Biological Circuit Engineering

Computer Science:

• COSC 122 3D Digital Modeling
• COSC 124 Computer Animation: The State of the Art
• COSC 125 Intro to UI/UX Design I
• COSC 169 Topics in Computer Systems
• COSC 174/74 Machine Learning and Statistical Data Analysis
• COSC 178/78 Deep Learning
• COSC 189 Topics in Applied Computer Science
• COSC 258 Operating Systems
• COSC 267 Introduction to Human Computer Interaction
• COSC 274 Machine Learning and Statistical Data Analysis
• COSC 276 Artificial Intelligence
• COSC 278 Deep Learning
• COSC 281 Principles of Robot Design and Programming

Public Health:

• PH 114 Contemporary Issues in Biotechnology: The Practitioner's Perspective (0.5 unit)
• PH 115 Value and Resource Allocation
• PH 122 Survey Methods
• PH 125 Introduction to Qualitative Methods for Public Health & Healthcare Studies (0.5 unit)
• PH 128: Health Systems (0.5 unit)
• PH 130 Practical Approaches for Today's Health Care Ethics Challenges (Elective Short Course)
• PH 131 Patient Centered Health Communication(0.5 unit)
• PH 140 Applying Health Statistics (1.5 units)
• PH 147/QBS 139 Advanced Health Services Research with ILE Projec (0.5 unit)
• PH 151 Environmental Health Sciences and Policy(0.5 unit)
• PH 154 Determinants of Health Inequities (0.5 unit)

Additional A & S Courses:

• BIOL 176 Advanced Genetics
• GENE 145 Genomics of Human Disease
• MATH 100 Topics in Probability Theory
• MATH 106 Stochastic Processes with Applications
• PSYC 174 Computational Neuroscience: Brain Engineering
• Communicating Science

Journal Clubs

Satisfactory completion of nine approved journal club courses

QBS Journal club offerings

• • QBS 193 Independent Journal Club (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 194 Biostatistics Journal Club (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Epidemiology (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Bioinformatics (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 270 QBS Journal Club: Biostatistics (0.5 unit)
  • QBS 271 Advanced Epidemiology Journal Club (0.5 unit)

Additional journal club offerings

• • BIOL 265 Microbial Ecology and Environmental Biology
  • BIOL 268 Genes and Gene Products
  • COSC 189 Topics in Applied Computer Science
  • ENGG 260 Advances in Biotechnology
  • GENE 261 Cancer Biology
  • MICR 264 and 265 Microbiology and Immunology - Graduate Research Colloquium

Limits and Requirements

• For students who matriculate Fall 2020 and beyond, QBS 195 Independent Study (1 unit) and QBS 123 Biostatistics Consulting (0.5 unit) may be taken multiple times, but only 2 units total in these courses will count toward elective credit.
• Seek administrative approval for non-listed electives. Email Dr. Kristine Giffin for additional information.
• Students who matriculate Fall 2021 and beyond may not take more than 4 units of coursework per quarter unless approved by QBS administration and leadership. For the Fall quarter, this unit limit does not count pre-term courses QBS 103 Foundations of Data Science, QBS 700 Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research, and QBS 110 Integrative Biomedical Sciences Seminar.

Research rotations

• Three first-year research rotations that will consist of three small research projects, conducted with different faculty members for periods of about three months each, and registered research until the completion of the PhD
  • QBS 187 QBS PhD Student Internship
  • QBS 197 Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences I
  • QBS 198 Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences II
  • QBS 199 Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences III
  • QBS 297 Advanced Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences I
  • QBS 298 Advanced Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences II
  • QBS 299 Advanced Graduate Research in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences III

Teaching

• One quarter of supervised teaching in a QBS course, unless otherwise approved
  • QBS 196 Supervised Teaching in QBS

Qualifying examination and thesis

• Satisfactory completion of an oral qualifying examination
• Satisfactory completion of a significant research project and preparation of a thesis describing this research
• Successful defense of the thesis in an oral examination and presentation of the work in a public lecture

For details of program rules and regulations see the QBS handbook.