Options for Continuing Or Professional Education
All of the programs listed below may be done as distance education programs. Some programs are distance education only.
* Stanford 10x10 Course
* Non-Degree Option
* Certificate Programs in Bioinformatics and Clinical Informatics
* Honors Cooperative Masters Program in Biomedical Informatics
* Links to more information
Stanford 10x10 Course in Conjunction with the American Medical Informatics Association
The 10x10 course at Stanford University will introduce the basic computational issues and methods used in molecular biology, including an overview of biological data sources available on the web. Topics will include basic algorithms for alignment of biological sequences and structures, as well as more advanced representational and algorithmic issues in structure and sequence computation. The course is delivered online and includes video of the instructor along with access to the instructional materials. Complete course description and registration is available on the AMIA Web site at http://www.amia.org/10x10/partners/stanford
Non-Degree Option
The non-degree option is designed for those who would like to acquire specialization
in specific areas. Non-degree students may sign up for any of the graduate classes from the University which are taped and offered as a distance education class. Prerequisites vary for each class. Enrollment is simple; just apply for enrollment in each class and as part of the
enrollment process, the instructor will review your background
to determine if the level of the class is suitable. Full academic credit is awarded. Should you enroll in a relevant graduate program at a later time, up to 18 units of academic credit may be transferred towards your degree.
Graduate Certificate Programs
Stanford offers Graduate Certificate Programs as a distance learning, continuing or professional education
opportunity, supported by the Stanford Center for Professional
Development (SCPD). Those with an interest in broadening their background may wish to consider the Bioinformatics and/or the Clinical Informatics Certificate. Enroll in three graduate level classes
for academic credit, earn a grade of B or better in each class, and the Certificate will
be awarded.
The basic prerequisites for the Bioinformatics Certificate consists of experience or coursework with a modern programming language, some background in biology (four semesters or quarters of college level biology: cell biology, molecular biology and biochemistry are best) plus calculus. Some classes require more biology or computer science than others and it is possible to begin the Certificate while obtaining your prerequisites.
The Clinical Informatics Certificate requires conceptual knowledge of an object-oriented programming language, such as C, C++, or Java. Since there are no programming assignments, proficiency in a language is not required. If you are not a health-care professional, then Immunology 230 Introduction to Medicine is a prerequisite for the Certificate. If you have significant training in a related field, a degree in a field related to Medicine (Immunology, Genetics, Microbiology), you may not need to take Introduction to Medicine. Please contact us to discuss.
There is no application process to enroll for the Certificate program, although each lecturer will review the background of the student to ensure that each student has sufficient prerequisites. If you earn a grade of B or better for each of the three classes required for the Certificate, contact SCPD and the Certificate will be awarded. Full academic credit is offered for the Certificate program. Up to 18 units awarded under the Certificate Program may be applied towards a graduate degree.
Unlike the other distance education programs (i.e., Professional M.S.), SCPD membership is not required for the Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics Certificates. You are not required to be an employee of a company that is an SCPD member. Funding for tuition is not available from Stanford and there is no academic discount. Some employers may offer tuition reimbursement.
Certificate in Bioinformatics and Clinical Informatics (classes, prerequisites, instructions for application)
Honors Cooperative Program in Biomedical Informatics
The Honors Cooperative Program (HCP) offers part-time graduate level study leading to the Masters in Biomedical Informatics. HCP students are usually employed full time and have up to five (5) years to complete the requirements for the Masters. The Biomedical Informatics program, supported by SCPD, offers all the classes that are needed to obtain the MS in Biomedical Informatics via distance education, however, students have the option to come to campus to take classes.
The Honors Cooperative Program in Biomedical Informatics (requirements and instructions for application)
Links to More Information
About the Stanford Center for Professional Development (SCPD)
General Information about the Non-Degree Option (NDO)
General information about SCPD Certificate Programs
For more information about continuing studies or professional education programs in Biomedical Informatics, please contact Betty Cheng, the Associate Director of the BMI program.