The University of Colorado Denver offers a 36-credit Data Science in Biomedicine track within its Master of Science in Computer Science. This thesis-based program combines computer science, data science, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and biomedical applications. It fits this directory as a technical route into biomedical and health data work, but it is not a broad health informatics degree.
CU Denver Data Science in Biomedicine: Quick Facts
| Program fact | Details |
|---|---|
| School | University of Colorado Denver, College of Engineering, Design and Computing |
| Location | Denver, Colorado |
| Degree | Master of Science in Computer Science |
| Track | Data Science in Biomedicine |
| Credits | 36 semester credits |
| Format | Campus-based thesis track with some online and hybrid course options |
| Typical completion time | About 2 years |
| Thesis | 6 credits focused on data science in biomedicine |
| Core focus | Data science, machine learning, biostatistics, bioinformatics, and biomedical applications |
| 2026–27 tuition | $756 per credit for residents and WRGP students; $1,660 per credit for nonresidents |
| Estimated base tuition | About $27,216 resident/WRGP or $59,760 nonresident before fees |
| Application deadlines | April 15 for domestic fall admission; November 1 for domestic spring admission |
Program Overview
The Data Science in Biomedicine track is available to students pursuing the CU Denver MS in Computer Science through Plan I, the thesis option. Students build advanced computing skills and apply them to biomedical research, health informatics, precision medicine, genomics, and related health-data problems.
The official track page states that graduates receive an official designation of data science training within their degree. The program requires more credits than the standard 30-credit MS in Computer Science because it adds biomedical coursework and a research thesis.
This is a research-centered option. Students should expect technical coursework, work with a faculty adviser, and a thesis focused on data science in biomedicine.
Curriculum and Courses
The 36-credit curriculum divides study across four areas: nine credits of MS computer science requirements, 12 credits of data science and engineering electives, nine credits of biomedical or health-related electives, and six credits of thesis research.
Students select nine credits from the main MS computer science category. Options include Theory of Automata, Algorithms, Advanced Computer Architectures, and Operating Systems.
The data science and engineering group includes courses such as:
- Data Mining
- Database Systems
- Data Science
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Big Data Systems
- Big Data Science
- Graph Neural Networks
- Cloud Computing
- Parallel and Distributed Systems
The biomedical portion requires one introductory biostatistics course, one additional biostatistics or public health course, and one genomics or bioinformatics course. Published choices include:
- Biostatistical Methods I and II
- Practical Clinical Research Informatics
- Predictive Analytics
- R for Data Science
- Practical Data Wrangling
- Introduction to Public Health Informatics
- Statistical Methods in Genomics
- Biomedical Informatics
- Genomics
- R for Bioinformatics
Students finish with six credits of MS Thesis work. The thesis must focus on data science in biomedicine and requires approval from the track director and faculty adviser. Applicants should review the published track curriculum because course availability and approved electives can change.
How the Program Fits Health Informatics
The track fits the technical and research side of health informatics. Students can study data mining, machine learning, databases, biostatistics, public health informatics, biomedical informatics, and genomics while completing original research.
The main tradeoff is breadth. The curriculum places less emphasis on EHR implementation, clinical workflow, healthcare leadership, privacy policy, and organizational change than a traditional MS in Health Informatics. It may fit students who want to build or study biomedical data methods more than students who want to manage clinical information systems.
Format and Completion Time
CU Denver describes the MS in Computer Science as a two-year program with part-time and full-time paths. The broader degree allows students to combine online, in-person, and hybrid courses, but the university does not state that the full Data Science in Biomedicine thesis track can be completed online.
Students should plan for campus and research participation unless the department confirms a remote path. Biomedical electives may also come from CU Anschutz departments, so delivery format and scheduling can vary by course.
Admission Requirements
Applicants apply to the MS in Computer Science through the College of Engineering, Design and Computing. Required materials include an application, application fee, statement of purpose, resume, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not used for admission decisions, although applicants may submit them.
Applicants who meet general admission standards but lack some computer science foundations may receive a plan that adds prerequisite courses during the first year. Those foundation courses do not replace the 36 graduate credits required for this track.
For current deadlines, the college graduate admissions page lists April 15 for domestic fall MS applications and November 1 for domestic spring applications. International MS applicants have earlier deadlines of March 15 for fall and September 15 for spring.
Tuition and Fees
For 2026–27, CU Denver lists College of Engineering, Design and Computing graduate tuition at $756 per credit for Colorado residents and Western Regional Graduate Program students, $1,660 per credit for nonresidents, and $887 per credit for nonresident online enrollment.
At 36 credits, base tuition is about $27,216 at the resident or WRGP rate and $59,760 at the standard nonresident rate. The online-rate calculation would be $31,932, but students should not assume that rate applies because the university does not confirm a fully online path for this thesis track.
The official 2026–27 tuition table also lists a $44.30-per-credit engineering instructional fee, a $90 CEDC major fee per term, and general student fees. The engineering instructional fee adds about $1,594.80 across 36 credits. Actual cost depends on residency, course delivery, number of terms, and other charges.
Research and Career Paths
The thesis and technical course mix can support work or further study in areas such as:
- Biomedical data science
- Health data analytics
- Bioinformatics and genomics
- Clinical research informatics
- Machine learning for healthcare
- Public health data analysis
- Biomedical imaging analysis
- Data engineering for health research
The degree can also prepare students for doctoral study or research-focused roles. A degree does not guarantee a specific job title or salary, and some health informatics roles may require clinical experience, healthcare operations knowledge, or familiarity with a specific EHR platform.
Who Is This Program Best For?
This track may fit students with a strong computer science or quantitative background who want to use machine learning, data mining, and statistical methods in biomedical research. It may also appeal to students who want a thesis and may continue into doctoral study.
The program may be less suitable for students who want a fully online degree, a course-only program, or broad preparation in clinical systems and informatics management. Its thesis requirement and technical prerequisites make it a more focused option than a general health informatics master’s.
The Verdict
CU Denver offers a distinctive technical path for students who want to connect computer science with biomedical data. The strongest features are the formal biomedicine track, the mix of data science and health-domain electives, and the six-credit research thesis.
The program belongs in a health informatics directory because its approved coursework includes public health informatics, biomedical informatics, clinical research informatics, biostatistics, and genomics. Students should choose it for advanced data and research training, not for a broad clinical informatics or health IT management curriculum.
Related Programs
Compare CU Denver with other health informatics programs in Colorado.
- Colorado State University Global - Denver
- Regis University - Denver
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - Aurora
- University of Denver - Denver