Coterminal MS in Biomedical Informatics
The Biomedical Informatics program offers a coterminal Masters program for Stanford undergraduates. Students majoring in Biomedical Computation, Computer Science, Mathematics, or one of the biological science majors will find overlapping requirements which lead to acceleration towards graduation.
Degree Requirements
The Graduate Education website on coterminal degrees is here. Coterminal Masters students are not required to perform research rotations or submit a research project, although they are welcome to do so. The MS curriculum is described here.
Funding Sources
Access to financial aid and other options is very different for coterminal students and depends on the number of units and quarters as a registered student at Stanford.
Coterminal students have full access to undergraduate sources of financial aid until their twelfth quarter or four years of study. Coterminal students who have completed 180 units of are eligible for University fellowships and assistantships. However, many federal and private fellowships and assistantships are awarded only to students who have received the bachelors degree. Even after the conferral of the bachelors, there is no guarantee that a coterminal student will be awarded financial support via a RA-ship, TA-ship or fellowship.
Upon completion of the requirements for the bachelors, coterms may choose to obtain their bachelors degree early. However, all classes after conferral of the degree may only be counted towards the graduate degree. Please note, part of the strategy which allows coterms maximal flexibility in their course of study is their dual status as both undergraduates and graduate students.
Application Instructions for the Coterminal Masters Program
We accept applications to the coterminal Masters program quarterly. These application instructions are for the Coterminal Masters only.The deadlines to submit your applications are listed in the table below.
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Undergraduates must complete 120 units before they can apply for the coterminal program. The last quarter for application is the quarter prior to your anticipated quarter of graduation.
Under unusual circumstances you may petition to have the Biomedical Informatics Executive committee review your application after the deadline for applications has passed, but you must have all your application materials completely prepared.
If you lose your undergraduate status prior to the completion of the application for the coterminal MS, you must apply as a regular candidate to the BMI program. At that time, your options are most likely limited to the Ph.D. or Honor Cooperative MS program since you are unlikely to be eligible for funding for the Academic (full-time/residential MS program).
Application Procedure
First, download the Coterminal Application Form.
Second, download our Coterminal Supplemental Application Form.
Third, submit your academic resume or curriculum vitae.
Fourth, submit a one page Statement of Purpose describing how and why the BMI program is well matched to your interests.
Applicants to the Coterminal MS programs are not required to submit GRE scores but this is highly recommended.
Applicants are only required to submit two letters of recommendation but may submit more if you feel this enhances your chances of admission. (The form is in the application file from the Registrar's Office)
Applicants may submit an unofficial transcript to initiate the application process but must submit an official transcript as a condition of final acceptance into the program.
Applicants are not required to have completed all of the prerequisites for entry into the program but it does help. The prerequisites are listed in page 2 of the BMI Supplemental Application forms. Please fill out your Preliminary Program Proposal Form (from the Registrar's package) carefully, making sure you have a clear set of classes and schedule that will complete your prerequisites, your undergraduate degree requirements and graduate degree requirements. If you are uncertain, make your best estimate.
Getting an Advisor
Upon acceptance into the program, you will be assigned a course advisor. You will revise your Program Proposal at this time. Please contact the BMI program office if you need advice about coterminal status between acceptance and your first appointment with your course advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
See here.
