Graduate Certificate in Medical Informatics
Program Description
The Medical Informatics Certificate is designed to enable students to acquire the core knowledge that applies to the fundamentals, principles, and practice of medical informatics. This certificate option consists of 18 credit hours of graduate level courses which are presented using online learning technology.
If after taking courses in the certificate program, a certificate-seeking student decides to pursue the M.S. degree, the student must submit a new and complete application to become a degree-seeking student, and must meet all requirements for admission to the M.S. program. Previous coursework taken as a certificate seeking student does not guarantee acceptance into the M.S. degree-seeking program. If accepted into the degree program, credits with the prefix MI taken as a certificate seeking student will be automatically applied towards the degree.
CURRICULUM
The following six courses are needed for the MI certificate:
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description: This on-line, interactive course is an introductory survey of the discipline of biomedical informatics. This course will introduce the student to the use of computers for processing, organizing, retrieving and utilizing biomedical information at the molecular, biological system, clinical and healthcare organization levels. The course is targeted at individuals with varied backgrounds including medical, nursing, pharmacy, administration, and computer science. The course will describe essential concepts in biomedical informatics that are derived from medicine, computer science and the social sciences.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate in writing and verbally a basic understanding of the learned concepts of biomedical informatics and their direct application to healthcare.
- Demonstrate the ability to compare, select, apply and integrate multiple technologies in and across a healthcare organization.
- Discuss key legal and ethical issues that must be considered when implementing biomedical technology and supporting information systems.
- Differentiate multiple methods to evaluate the costs versus benefits of implementing biomedical information systems.
- Produce evidence of a forward thinking ability to stay current in biomedical informatics.
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description: This course covers from basic to intermediate knowledge of the concept, the design and the implementation of database applications in healthcare. Students will study tools and data models for designing databases such as E-R Model and SQL. The course also covers Relational DBMS systems such as SQL Server, Access, Oracle and mySQL. Besides, database connectivity design (essential in data-driven web development) and database administration will also be introduced.
Students will practice designing, developing and implementing a test relational online health IT database application (myHealth) through a comprehensive project that contains the above topics.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course, student will be able to:
- Identify the key elements of database management system and applications in healthcare.
- Plan, document, and design a medical informatics database application.
- Identify and model healthcare database application using ER Model and query against the database with SQL.
- Identify the key concepts and process in order to SQL server, Access, Oracle or mySQL DBMS systems to build up a data-driven web application.
- Identify the basic concepts of database administration and data warehouse for decision support system (DSS).
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description: The course will cover concepts, applications and techniques of data security in healthcare system. Topics include introduction, design principles, intrusion detection, policy assurance, attacks and penetration, access control, risks and vulnerabilities, database security, web security, cryptography, identity theft, viruses, authentication technologies, personnel and physical security issues, and issues of law and privacy. Areas of particular focus include secure healthcare system design, implementation, data encryption and decryption, attacks, and techniques for responding to security breaches.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will have gained knowledge of information security and healthcare information security. Students will be able to use security tools and devices to encrypt data to enhance access control and to increase application and system security.
- Name Information Security (InfoSec) principles and approaches.
- Prioritize threats to healthcare information resources.
- Define an information security strategy and architecture.
- Plan for and respond to intruders in a healthcare information system.
- Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of public cryptography and skills of steganography.
- Apply encryption techniques for data and emails.
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description: The understanding of telecommunications and networking is imperative for adequate functioning of health care organizations. This is due to the convergence of computing, data management, telecommunications and the increasing number of applications of information technology in the health care arena and medical facilities. The knowledge of these key areas of information systems also becomes essential for competitive advantage. This course combines the basic technical concepts of data communications, telecommunications and networking with the health care IT management aspects and practical applications.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course, the students should be able to:
- Identify current concepts of data communications and networking and how to implement them in a medical treatment facility.
- Execute a network implementation by having managerial knowledge of the technical aspects of data communications and computer networks.
- Identify various security risks to a network and ways to minimize them.
- Assess the current trends in telecommunications and networking and the implications for health care and medical facilities.
- Analyze legal compliance requirements that organizations must comply with while implementing and supporting health care information networks. (i.e., HIPAA regulations and JCAHO standards).
- Communicate the basic concepts of information assurance and its implications in network economy.
- Evaluate the implementation and use of wireless networks in medical facilities to enhance patient care and increase the efficiency of providers.
- Determine how emerging end-user devices in the health care arena impacts computer networks, system security HIPAA Security compliance and integrate with electronic health records.
No. of Credits: 3
Pre-Requisite: None
Description: Lean Six Sigma for Health Care (Yellow Belt) participants will learn the basic philosophy, tools, and techniques to deliver breakthrough business improvements that will reduce waiting times, improve quality, and reduce costs in a health care environment. More specifically, they will learn to apply a comprehensive set of 15-20 Lean Six Sigma process improvement tools by using the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) problem solving model. They will learn techniques for both quantitative and non-quantitative analysis, as well as methods and tools for waste reduction and process enhancement and acceleration. The course also covers how to map out processes and identify sources of variation, as well as to gain a basic understanding of descriptive statistical analysis. Finally, they will learn how to perform basic pilot studies and analyze the results, in order to determine the most effective way to improve and stabilize processes. Candidates work on either an integrated health care case study or on an actual business project, and will apply classroom techniques to the project.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the course, student will be able to:
- Summarize Lean Six Sigma history and philosophy and describe how it applies to modern health care organizations.
- Identify opportunities for system and process improvement in health care settings.
- Use basic problem solving and critical thinking skills and apply systems thinking to quality improvement projects in hospitals and other clinical settings.
- Apply techniques to decrease health care costs, increase patient safety, improve treatment outcomes, and increase customer satisfaction.
- Identify valid and critical to quality customer and business requirements and related measures and then turn the data into actionable information to manage and improve organizational processes.
- Map out work flow processes using Excel/Visio to identify sources of waste.
- Apply the PDCA/DMAIC model in accordance with Lean Six Sigma principles.
- Conduct beginning-level descriptive statistical analyses to determine baselines and identify improvements
- Learn different improvements designs to most effectively improve and stabilize processes.
- Analyze measurement patterns and results of biomedical information utilizing basic statistical concepts in conjunction with Lean Six Sigma-specific software (e.g.,SigmaXL) to synthesize pertinent data.
- Identify risks and basic root causes for typical process challenges.
Pre-Requisite: None
Description:
This course will provide an introductory, hands-on experience for life science researchers in bioinformatics using R and Bioconductor. Emphasis will be placed on accessing, formatting, and visualizing genomics data. Most analyses will deal with “little” data (no mapping or assembly of short reads), but some techniques to work with “big” data (e.g. BAM files) will be covered. Lecture and lab will both be held in a computer lab, so lecture will be “hands-on”. Working in small groups is encouraged.
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn the fundamentals of bioinformatics analyses of genomics data using R and Bioconductor.
- Students will gain a greater appreciation for bioinformatics and the parallels with “wet bench” experiments.
- Students will be introduced to the concept of “literate programming” and how it can be applied to document their work are write legible reports.
- Students will be prepared for more advanced courses in R or bioinformatics, or for continued self-learning.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Completed application form
- Non-refundable application fee of $50
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate, graduate, and professional education (Must have a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university)
- Official course by course evaluation of all foreign transcripts. Agencies that can complete this evaluation can be found here.
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency. One of the following standardized tests listed below will currently satisfy the university's English requirement for nonnative English speakers:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 213 on the computer-based test; 79-80 on the Internet based test.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 on the test module.
- GMAT score of 450; GRE score of 1,000 (old format); GRE score of 306 (new format).
- Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) with a score of at least 500 in the reading section, or the American College Test (ACT) with a score of at least 20 on the verbal section
Test results must be sent directly from the testing agency to the center you applied. Proof of English language competency can also be in the form of successful completion of a degree at an approved U.S. institution of higher education.
PROGRAM LENGTH
Students have a maximum of five years to complete the program. The expected average completion time is 2-4 terms.
TUITION AND FEES
Tuition is $714 per credit hour. A Health Professions Division student access fee of $145 is required each year. An NSU student service fee of $500 is charged each term that a student is registered for 4 or more credits. Students registered for less than 4 credits in a term will be charged $250. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
Books and supplies for 18 credit hours are estimated at $4,152. Room and board is estimated as follows:
- Off Campus: $22,132
- Living With Parents: $4,081
- On Campus: $19,636