Curriculum

The graduate-level curriculum in Health Informatics at the University of Illinois at Chicago provides you with a comprehensive, real-world approach to systems integration within the healthcare industry. This dynamic degree program encompasses the broad study of how healthcare data are collected into electronic health records (EHR), as well as how information technology systems are built to effectively house and circulate this data across organizations. In addition to delivering a solid foundation of technical knowledge, the 100 percent online curriculum also covers a wide range of industry-relevant topics, including clinical trends, government regulations and healthcare management best practices.

Upon completing the MSHI program, consisting of 38 credit hours, graduates will have a thorough understanding of the tools and practices used to improve the use of information technology throughout all facets of healthcare (including nursing, pharmacy, clinical care, public health and medical research).

Students have the option of using their electives to earn a concentration in Health Data Science (HDS). This concentration empowers students to become more expert, regardless of their level, by choices they make themselves in a new field that is still developing.

The HDS curriculum will enable students to:

Work on solutions that support innovation in healthcare
Learn how to identify key questions to help them define new problems
Design their own unique solutions
Develop solutions from initial ideas to completion and implementation
Build an intellectual toolkit of ideas and tactics that meet new industry demands
Assemble a portfolio of completed projects in their specific area of interest

Prerequisite Courses (may be waived in some instances)

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

BHIS 406	Medical Terminology for Health Information Management	2 Hours
An introduction to the medical terminology and pharmacology necessary to understanding the use of clinical vocabularies and classification systems in health information systems. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester.

HIM 486	Fundamentals of Health Information Management	2 Hours
Provides students new to the health informatics field with knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system and health record content and practice. Extensive computer use required. Field work required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor and enrollment in the MS in Health Informatics program or Post-Master’s Certificate in Health Informatics.

Core Courses (26 credits)

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

BHIS 437	Healthcare Data	3 Hours
Health communication is an emerging field in which professional communicators inform, influence and motivate individual, institutional and public audiences about important health issues. This course examines theories of interpersonal, organizational and mass communication relevant to the professional communicator in the health field. Review strategies of persuasion, the relationship between attitudes and behavior, and the changing nature of health and health delivery in the United States. Evaluate successful and unsuccessful health information campaigns.

BHIS 499	Information Sources in Biomedical & Health Information Sciences	1 Hour
Prepares students to locate, interpret and evaluate pertinent research information sources. Includes discussion on writing literature reviews. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above required; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 503	Communication Skills in Health Informatics	3 Hours
An application course in which students assess and practice effective written and oral methods of communication skills necessary for health informatics professionals. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

BHIS 505	Ethics & Legal Issues in Health Informatics	3 Hours
Examination of the legal and ethical issues involved in computerized health information systems. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

BHIS 510	Healthcare Information Systems	3 Hours
Examination, through case studies, group and class discussions, and problem-based learning, of the effective utilization of information technology applications currently in place and on the horizon in healthcare organizations. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 515	Management of Healthcare Communication Systems	3 Hours
Examination and management of data communications in and between healthcare facilities, including examination of issues, standards, technologies and system configurations. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510, graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 520	Health Information Systems Analysis & Design	3 Hours
A project course applying systems analysis and design theory to healthcare systems evaluation, modeling and implementation. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510, graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 525	Social and Organizational Issues in Health Informatics	3 Hours
Examines the impact of information systems on the healthcare organization and applies theory through case study analysis. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510; and BHIS 515 or BHIS 520 or BHIS 530 or HPA 520 or HPA 531 or HPA 550; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 530	Topics in Health Informatics	3 Hours
Current theories and methods in health informatics. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or HPA 510; and BHIS 515 or HPA 520, or BHIS 520 or HPA 531, or BHIS 525 or HPA 540; and graduate standing and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 593

Health Informatics Capstone Experience

1 Hour

Electives (12 credits)

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

BHIS 509	Informatics for the Clinical Investigator	3 Hours
This course provides the foundation of requisite knowledge of computer and healthcare information sciences for the clinical investigator. Extensive computer use required. Taught only online. A UIC netID is required. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

BHIS 511	Application of Health Care Information Systems	2 Hours
Knowledge and experience with a variety of healthcare applications utilizing current information technology and systems implemented in healthcare provider organizations. This is an online course. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 514	Patient Safety Topics in Health Informatics	2 Hours
The application of health informatics knowledge to the issue of patient safety. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 and BHIS 511; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 517	Healthcare Information Security	3 Hours
Health information security and methods to achieve it; stresses risk assessment and pre-emptive action; outlines important role of security policies and procedures; surveys security technology with focus on non-technical security approaches. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 522	Mobile Health Informatics	3 Hours
This elective course examines the field of mobile health informatics from theoretical and applied information management perspectives. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Extensive computer use required. Offered completely online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 510 and BHIS 515 or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 528 or the equivalent.

BHIS 527	Knowledge Management in Healthcare Organizations	3 Hours
An examination through readings, case studies, research publications and discussion of the current issues, concepts and technologies of knowledge management in healthcare organizations. Offered online using asynchronous discussion in conjunction with seminar format. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 528	Consumer Health Informatics	3 Hours
Examines the developing area of consumer health informatics from both theoretical and practical knowledge management perspectives through class discussions. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 and BHIS 527 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 529	Transforming Healthcare using Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics	3 Hours
An examination through readings and class discussion of various health information technologies and capabilities required by healthcare organizations as they undergo the major transformations needed to support emerging care models. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 525.

BHIS 532	Theoretical Concepts of Clinical Decisions Support Systems	3 Hours
An examination of foundational concepts of clinical decision support systems, an area that utilizes both biomedical and computer sciences to enhance effectiveness of the clinical decision making process. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510; or consent of instructor.

BHIS 533	Practical Implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems	3 Hours
A practical application of CDSS concepts in which students plan, design, and implement course CDSS projects intended for patient care settings. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510, and BHIS 532; or consent of instructor.

BHIS 534	Information Technology and Patient Safety	3 Hours
Provides an analytical examination of health information technology and its implications to patient safety with the purpose to improve the performance of health professionals and enhance patient safety. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester.

BHIS 537	Health Care IT Vendor Management	3 Hours
Examines the environment and activities necessary to plan, select, contract and implement systems from suppliers in the healthcare I.T. industry. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 538	Healthcare IT Administration	3 Hours
Examines organizational and management issues in healthcare IT. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 510, BHIS 511 and BHIS 537 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 540	Essentials in Health Data Science	3 Hours
Provides foundation in data science applied specifically to healthcare.

BHIS 541	Healthcare Data Analytics	3 Hours
Explores the spectrum of ways data analytics is being used in healthcare organizations today. Students will complete hands-on exercises to design and formulate datasets, interpret and articulate data results needed to transform healthcare delivery and the health of individuals and populations. Tools, applications, approaches for health care data analytics are taught.

BHIS 542	Artificial Intelligence	3 Hours
Introduction to artificial intelligence and its application in healthcare. Competencies addressed include date exchange standards, supervised, unsupervised and fuzzy logic. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Course includes data analysis exercises. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 541 and BHIS 561 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Free online introductory course in Artificial Intelligence at Udacity - Intro to Machine Learning

BHIS 543	Healthcare Project Management	3 Hours
Introduces health industry workers to specific healthcare project management and methods that achieve outcomes in the healthcare organization; stresses project life-cycle as the primary approach; uses project management book of knowledge. Prerequisites: BHIS 437, BHIS 510, BHIS 520, and BHIS 525 or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 546	Leadership Development in Health Informatics	3 Hours
Students will analyze, evaluate and practice the competencies necessary for leadership unique to the health informatics profession. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

BHIS 554	Health Informatics Business intelligence Tools and Applications	3 Hours
Provides students with core business intelligence concepts and fundamentals, applying them to create best practices through informed decision making. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510; and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 561	Programming for Health Analytics	3 Hours
This course introduces fundamental principles of programming for data science using a popular language like Python. Exposes students to basic programming techniques, data manipulation, and data analysis pertaining to healthcare data. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. The course is taught online and uses lectures, discussion and data analysis exercises. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 529; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Some familiarity with computer programming recommended, but not required.

BHIS 567	Healthcare Data Visualization	3 Hours
This course introduces fundamental principles of data visualization in healthcare and focuses on effective presentation of health analytics outcomes. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 529, BHIS 554 and two courses from Lynda.com Understanding Data Science and Introduction to Data Science. Credit is not given for BHIS 567 if the student has credit in IDS 567.

BHIS 575	Applied Statistics for Health Data Science	3 Hours
This course presents statistical foundations for health data science using a popular statistical software like R. The course also provides exposure to common statistical techniques, and interpretation focusing on health care data.

BHIS 580	Practicum in Biomedical and Health Information Sciences
Field experience under supervision of a professional expert in a health informatics setting that is consistent with the student’s area of study and career goals. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

BHIS 596	Independent Study
For graduate students who wish to pursue independent study not related to their project/thesis research. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

Health Data Science Electives

Students can earn the concentration by completing four courses – using their 12 hours of required electives to complete concentration requirements. The concentration is documented on the official student transcript.

Required electives for the Health Data Science concentration

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

BHIS 540	Essentials in Health Data Science	3 Hours
Provides foundation in data science applied specifically to healthcare.

BHIS 575	Applied Statistics for Health Data Science	3 Hours
This course presents statistical foundations for health data science using a popular statistical software like R. The course also provides exposure to common statistical techniques, and interpretation focusing on health care data.

Choose two additional electives

Show / Hide Course Descriptions

BHIS 527	Knowledge Management in Healthcare Organizations	3 Hours
An examination through readings, case studies, research publications and discussion of the current issues, concepts and technologies of knowledge management in healthcare organizations. Offered online using asynchronous discussion in conjunction with seminar format. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and consent of the instructor.

BHIS 529	Transforming Healthcare using Business Intelligence and Predictive Analytics	3 Hours
An examination through readings and class discussion of various health information technologies and capabilities required by healthcare organizations as they undergo the major transformations needed to support emerging care models. Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510 and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: BHIS 525.

BHIS 532	Theoretical Concepts of Clinical Decisions Support Systems	3 Hours
An examination of foundational concepts of clinical decision support systems, an area that utilizes both biomedical and computer sciences to enhance effectiveness of the clinical decision making process. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510; or consent of instructor.

BHIS 533	Practical Implementation of Clinical Decision Support Systems	3 Hours
A practical application of CDSS concepts in which students plan, design, and implement course CDSS projects intended for patient care settings. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437, BHIS 499, BHIS 503, Grade of B or higher in BHIS 510, and BHIS 532; or consent of instructor.

BHIS 541	Healthcare Data Analytics	3 Hours
Explores the spectrum of ways data analytics is being used in healthcare organizations today. Students will complete hands-on exercises to design and formulate datasets, interpret and articulate data results needed to transform healthcare delivery and the health of individuals and populations. Tools, applications, approaches for health care data analytics are taught.

BHIS 542	Artificial Intelligence	3 Hours
Introduction to artificial intelligence and its application in healthcare. Competencies addressed include date exchange standards, supervised, unsupervised and fuzzy logic. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Course includes data analysis exercises. Taught online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 541 and BHIS 561 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended background: Free online introductory course in Artificial Intelligence at Udacity - Intro to Machine Learning

BHIS 554	Health Informatics Business intelligence Tools and Applications	3 Hours
Provides students with core business intelligence concepts and fundamentals, applying them to create best practices through informed decision making. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Prerequisite(s): Grade of B or better in BHIS 510; and Grade of B or better in BHIS 437; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 561	Programming for Health Analytics	3 Hours
This course introduces fundamental principles of programming for data science using a popular language like Python. Exposes students to basic programming techniques, data manipulation, and data analysis pertaining to healthcare data. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. The course is taught online and uses lectures, discussion and data analysis exercises. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 529; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: Some familiarity with computer programming recommended, but not required.

BHIS 567	Healthcare Data Visualization	3 Hours
This course introduces fundamental principles of data visualization in healthcare and focuses on effective presentation of health analytics outcomes. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): BHIS 437 and BHIS 575; and consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: BHIS 529, BHIS 554 and two courses from Lynda.com Understanding Data Science and Introduction to Data Science. Credit is not given for BHIS 567 if the student has credit in IDS 567.

Apply Now