Quantitative Biomedical Sciences
Director: Scott Gerber, PhD
Associate Director: Rob Frost, PhD
Director of Academic & Student Affairs: Kristine A. Giffin, PhD
Program and Operations Director: Susan Diesel, PhD
Program Coordinator: Amanda Helali, MA
Modern biomedical research relies on both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches. Multidisciplinary approaches bring several different scientific disciplines such as bioinformatics and genetics to bear on a research question. Interdisciplinary approaches synthesize knowledge and methods from other disciplines to provide an integrated framework for solving complex biomedical problems in new ways.
The rapid advancement of high-throughput technologies such as DNA microarrays and mass spectrometry for measuring biological systems and their application as part of translational medicine has generated a significant demand for investigators doing cutting-edge research in quantitative disciplines such as bioinformatics, biostatistics and epidemiology. Those with the greatest impact are cross-trained in multiple disciplines giving them the ability to synthesize and integrate several disciplines to provide a truly interdisciplinary approach to solving complex biomedical problems.
The goal of the Graduate Program in Quantitative Biomedical Sciences (QBS) is to prepare PhD students for careers at the intersection of biomedical research and quantitative sciences such as bioinformatics, biostatistics and epidemiology.
The requirements for the PhD in QBS can be found HERE.
Health Data Science
Health Data Science is one of the most critical and fastest-growing fields in both the private sector and academic world. QBS's distinctive program emphasizes rigorous training in biostatistics, data visualization and wrangling, and machine learning aided by important problems from health and health care. It focuses on complex modeling to predict outcomes for disease and to evaluate the efficacy of patient treatment plans and other health care interventions, helping to improve organizational efficiency and quality of patient care. The requirements for then Health Data Science Concentration can be found HERE.
Epidemiology
The Epidemiology concentration focuses on the study of the distribution and determinants of disease in humans. It is a focus that is foundational to overall public health through the identification of health hazards and patterns of disease. QBS's innovative epidemiology program emphasizes rigorous quantitative training in epidemiological methods that is supported by cross-training in biostatistics and informatics. The field of epidemiology is rapidly expanding with significant growth occurring in biomedical research and nonprofit organizations. The requirements for the Epidemiology Concentration can be found HERE.
Medical Informatics
The Medical Informatics concentration tackles data challenges and opportunities using a multi-pronged approach that reflects the location of the field at the intersection of information science, data science, biostatistics, and health care. QBS's unique medical informatics program emphasizes rigorous training in informatics applied to medicine by building off solid foundational training in data science, biostatistics, and epidemiology. It analyzes how to put medical treatments and technologies into the most efficient use for patient care in clinical and research settings. The requirements for the Medical Informatics Concentration can be found HERE.
*The QBS master’s degree is also offered internally to PhD students at Dartmouth who are enrolled in a program separate from QBS. Students interested in applying for this program should obtain proper permission from their advisor and their program. More information on requirements and applying can be found HERE.