Biomedical Data Science Ph.D. Program Admissions

Prospective students may include those with prior degrees in an area related to data science (e.g., computer science, information technology, statistics, mathematics, engineering, finance), as well as biomedical, life sciences, or health sciences fields. All admitted candidates will be expected to demonstrate an aptitude for quantitative and computational sciences, which may encompass mathematics, statistics, information systems/technology, fundamental programming skills, and related subjects as described in this document.

Applicants must satisfy all admission requirements. Final admission decisions will be made by the Biomedical Data Science (BDS) Ph.D. Faculty Admissions Committee (FAC). Admission decisions will be based on all aspects of the application, including (1) prior academic performance of the applicant in a baccalaureate or master’s program at a regionally-accredited institution, including coursework and independent research projects, (2) prior work experience relevant to BDS, (3) the applicant’s statement of purpose, (4) letters of support, and test scores.

Application Deadline

Fall 2023

May 1, 2023 

Fall 2024

December 1, 2023 

Application Process

The FAC will not consider any application until it is complete. Applicants may check the status of their application by logging into their online account.

Step 1

• A formal application submitted online.
• A separate statement of purpose that establishes (1) the applicant’s preparation for graduate school, (2) reasons for pursing a graduate degree, (3) prior relevant work or research experience, and (4) ultimate career objectives. The statement of purpose should not exceed 1000 words, double-spaced.

Step 2

• Resume or curriculum vita.
• Three letters of recommendation (specified below)
  Three letters of recommendation are required, at least two of which must be from an academic mentor (major professor, thesis advisor, etc.) who can speak to the applicant’s potential to undertake graduate studies.
• Official transcripts (specified below)
  Applicants must submit official transcripts of coursework attempted and completed at all previous colleges and universities whether or not a degree was earned at the institution. Please ask your institution to send official transcripts directly to the Office of Enrollment Management to sacsenrollment@mmc.edu.  
  
  If the institution prefers to mail transcripts, please use this address:
  Office of Enrollment Management, School of Applied Computational Sciences,
  Meharry Medical College,
  3401 West End Avenue
  Suite 260
  Nashville, TN 37203
  
  
  All submitted transcripts become the property of the Meharry Medical College and will not be returned.
• Required test scores (specified below)
  The GRE, GMAT, or MCAT test score requirement is waived for applicants for the Fall of 2023 and 2024. We do ask that any applicants submit any previous test scores. All scores must be sent directly to Meharry Medical College in electronic form.

Interview

The FAC will review completed applications and invite selected applicants to interview with the faculty by phone, Zoom, or similar virtual platforms. Interviews will be conducted with cameras on, and interview may be recorded for internal use only. Applicants must complete the interview process to be considered for admission. Final admissions decisions will be made from the pool of interviewed applicants. Interview invitations will be sent out applicants via email. 

Acceptance

Applicants will be notified via email concerning the outcome of their application. Those offered admissions will be asked to communicate their decision as soon as possible.

Admission Requirements

Applications for admission are only accepted for the Fall Term each year. The requirements for admission are:

Prior Degree

All applicants must have completed a baccalaureate or master’s degree in biomedical/health/life sciences, computer science, information technology/systems, mathematics, statistics, engineering, finance, or related discipline at a regionally-accredited institution.

Minimum Prior Coursework

The prior degree(s) must encompass the following minimum coursework requirements, in which applicants must have earned a grade of C or better:

• Two semesters of college calculus, and one semester of linear algebra.
• One semester of calculus-based statistics and/or probability at the college level
• At least one semester of college-level biology or related coursework in the biological/health/life sciences.
• One semester of college-level computer programming fundamentals or one year of demonstrated, verifiable programming experience in a work setting.

Additional Recommended Prior Coursework and Experience

Additional coursework and/or experience is recommended, as outlined below:

• Competency in a second focus area that complements the applicant’s previous degree(s) in one of the preferred fields identified above, as demonstrated by completion of a major, minor, or certificate in one of these areas. For example, applicants whose prior degree(s) are in one of the quantitative fields should ideally possess competency in a biological/biomedical/health sciences field, and applicants whose prior degree(s) is in a biological/biomedical/health sciences field should ideally possess competency in a quantitative field.
• More advanced courses in mathematics and statistics, such as multivariable calculus, differential equations, linear programming, mathematical statistics, biostatistics, biomathematics/biophysics, and bioinformatics.
• More advanced courses in computer science and/or software engineering beyond fundamentals that encompass the ideas of abstraction, modularity, object-oriented programming, data structures, and algorithm design.
• Evidence of relevant research or work experience, including, but not limited to, demonstrated participation in data science/analytics projects, leadership of data, computing, or information systems/technology groups or teams, and artifacts such as authored research reports and journal publications that demonstrate the applicant’s research aptitude and verbal communication ability.

Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA)

All applicants possessing a baccalaureate degree only must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work). Applicants possessing a master’s degree must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale). Applicants possessing a baccalaureate degree plus some graduate work, but not a graduate degree, must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) individually in both sets of coursework. GPA should be based on scale of 4.

Other Qualifications

The FAC may also consider other qualifications presented by applicants, such as strong oral, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as overall goodness-of-fit for the BDS program.

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

International applicants must hold a degree comparable to a regionally accredited US baccalaureate or master’s degree. Applicants submitting transcripts from international colleges and universities are required to have them verified for US degree program equivalency before being considered for admission. Verification from the following organizations is acceptable:

• International Education Services (IES)
• World Education Services (WES)
• Global Credential Evaluators (GCE)
• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)

The decision of the verifying organization must be transmitted directly to Meharry Medical College in electronic form.

International applicants must provide an English proficiency test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Scores must be submitted directly and electronically to Meharry Medical College.

Transfer Students

Applicants who are enrolled in a Ph.D. program in biomedical data science or related field outside Meharry Medical College may apply for Meharry’s BDS Ph.D. program as a transfer student. Transfer students are subject to the admissions requirements stated above; and therefore, the transfer track is only recommended for first- or second-year graduate students. Applicants transferring from another institution and who are in good standing at that institution are exempt from the graduate admission exam and TOEFL requirements. A recommendation letter from the previous advisor or program director is required. A maximum of six (6) credit hours can be transferred. For more information, please contact The Office of Enrollment Management at sacsenrollment@mmc.edu.

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