OVERVIEW

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Informatics is offered by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUSMed), Department of Biomedical Informatics.

Biomedical Informatics has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, with the advent of new technologies and tools being adopted to make healthcare more effective and efficient.

The increased availability of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and the popularisation of machine learning methods in has catalysed a technological revolution in healthcare using Big Data and advanced analytics. Concurrently, technological advancements in Natural Language Processing (NLP), deep neural networks and speech recognition applied to healthcare have spurred innumerable innovations in new services such as telehealth and virtual care services.

The MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme is situated in an area that is rapidly transforming the face of healthcare. It offers two specialisations: Analytics or Hospital Management.

NUSMed together with National University Healthcare System are well-positioned to play a role in this transformation due to its natural advantages of being an academic medical centre attracting top research-inclined clinicians, collaborations with NUS academia that are the best in Asia, access to vast computing resources and world-class facilities for clinical trials.

Why this Programme?

  • Make the most of the advantages of an academic medical centre, where service, education and research converge—such as access to real-time desensitised healthcare data from actual healthcare institution settings.

  • Be on the frontlines of technological development and get access to some of the latest tools in biomedical informatics, as Singapore expands its footprint in digital medicine.

  • Get intensive hands-on experience from internships with prestigious companies, working on potential clinical applications with the goal of improving patient care.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Application Period
An Academic Year (AY) at NUS consists of two semesters and a special term (which occurs during the Semester 2 Vacation, and is divided into two parts of six weeks duration each):

  • Semester 1: Aug–Dec
  • Semester 2: Jan–May
  • Special Term (Part 1): May–Jun
  • Special Term (Part 2): Jun–Jul

For the MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme, there is one application period for each AY:

Programme Intake Application Dates
MSc (Biomedical Informatics) Semester 1
(Aug Intake)
1 Oct of year preceding the intake year to 31 Jan of the intake year

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the NUS MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme is granted on a competitive basis as places in the programme are limited. Applicants should possess the following minimum requirements:

Academic 

Bachelor’s Degree (with Honours) in Quantitative Sciences (e.g. Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Physics), Engineering, Computer Science, Business or Health Sciences-related discipline, including M.B.,B.S degree

Note: Alternatively, candidates with other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval by the NUS Board of Graduate Studies

Skill/Experience

One year of industry experience advantageous

English Language
Applicants whose native tongue and medium of university instruction is not completely in English:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) minimum score of 85 (Internet-based), or
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum Academic score 6.0

Note: TOEFL / IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date and should not have expired at point of application. Expired scores will not be considered for the application.

Other

Not applicable


Note: Candidates may be required to sit for other tests as prescribed by the School.

Applications must be accompanied by:

  • a Statement of Purpose of not more than 2,000 characters (about 300 words) in Word or PDF format that showcases the applicant's academic strength, research interests, motivation to study and long-term development goals
  • a Curriculum Vitae (CV) that provides an overview of the applicant's relevant experience, skills and qualifications and accomplishments

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application information and all supporting documents are truthful and correct. NUS reserves the right to verify information provided as part of an application. False or misleading information in an application (including but not limited to test scores, resumes, certificates, transcripts, etc.) is grounds for admission rejection, revocation and/or dismissal from the University.

MODE OF STUDY AND PROGRAMME CANDIDATURE

The NUS MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme is offered on the following basis (with estimated time to complete the programme indicated below):

 Full-time  12–24 months 
 Part-time  24–48 months 

Note: International applicants must be accepted into an approved full-time course in Singapore to apply for a Student’s Pass. For more information, refer to the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The MSc (Biomedical Informatics) is a 40-Unit coursework-based Master’s Degree programme comprising:

  • Core/essential courses (20 Units), and
  • Elective courses (20 Units)
Core/Essential Courses

The core curriculum comprises five compulsory courses (totalling 20 Units), including a Capstone Project.

View Courses

Course Code Course Title Units
BMI5101 Advanced Biomedical Informatics 4
BMI5111
Capstone Project
4
BMI5207
Medical Data and Data Processing
4
BMI5306
Advanced Agile Project Management
4
IT5001
Software Development Fundamentals
4
Elective Courses

Students must choose a specialisation (either Analytics or Hospital Management) and complete five courses (20 Units) from the list of electives offered for that specialisation.

View Courses

Analytics Specialisation
Course Code Course Title Units
BMI5102 Health Sciences for Non-Clinicians* Not for clinicians 4
BMI5109
Advanced Scientific Research Methods
4
BMI5110
Molecular Informatics
4
BMI5206
Advanced Human Factors Engineering
4
DL5102
Digital Agility & Change Leadership
4
IT5003 Data Structures and Algorithms 4
IT5005
Artificial Intelligence
4
IT5006
Fundamentals of Data Analytics 4
SPH6004
Advanced Statistical Learning
4
Hospital Management Specialisation
Course Code Course Title Units
BMI5102 Health Sciences for Non-Clinicians* Not for clinicians 4
BMI5106
Clinical Decision Support Systems
4
BMI5107 Advanced Evidence Based Patient Care 4
BMI5108
Advanced Value Based Healthcare
4
BMI5201 Advanced Clinical Data Systems 4
DL5102 Digital Agility & Change Leadership 4
DL5201 Strategic Thinking and Digital Foresight 4
DL5302 Managing Digitalisation Complexity 4
IT5001 Software Development Fundamentals 4
IT5005 Artificial Intelligence 4
MDG5248 The Ethics of Biotechnology and Innovation 4
SPH5007 Implementing Public Health Programmes and Policies 4
SPH5412 Economic Methods in Health Technology Assessment 4
SPH6004 Advanced Statistical Learning 4

Note: For more information about the courses listed above (as well as other courses offered in the current academic year), please visit NUSMODS.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To graduate from the NUS MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme, students must meet the following requirements:

Programme and/or Specialisation

Read and pass a total of 40 Units, comprising:

  • 20 Units of core/essential courses, and
  • 20 Units of elective courses from the respective specialisation
Course and/or Qualification

Not applicable

Grade Point Average (GPA) 

Minimum 3.0 (out of maximum 5.0)

Please see also the University’s minimum standards for Continuation and Graduation Requirements specific programmes may implement stricter or additional requirements.

Other 

Not applicable


FEES AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Kindly note that all fees for the NUS MSc (Biomedical Informatics) programme quoted on this page are exclusive of prevailing GST, unless otherwise stated (GST rate will be increased from 8% to 9% with effect from 1 Jan 2024). The University reserves all rights to review fees as necessary and adjust accordingly without prior notice.

Tuition

S$52,451.00 (excluding GST) /
S$57,171.59 (including 9% GST)

Financial Assistance

For more about loans and other financial assistance, please refer to the NUS Office of Admissions.

Application

S$50.47 (including 8% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2023);
S$50.93 (including 9% GST, with effect from 1 Jan 2024)

  • Non-refundable and non-transferable
Acceptance

S$4,721.00 (excluding GST)

  • Payable upon acceptance of offer
  • Non-refundable and non-transferable
  • Will be credited towards tuition fees
Miscellaneous Student Fees

As published by NUS Registrar’s Office

  • Payable every regular semester

Programme at a Glance*

Upcoming Event(s):

Watch this space for updates!

Next Intake:
Application Period:
To be announced

Updating soon!

* For full details, please refer to main write-up.

For enquiries, contact us.

Video
Livestream 10

For enquiries, contact us.

We will guide you through the next steps of your transformative journey.

 
24 May 2023