Combining Technical, Clinical and Managerial Courses for Success
CURRICULUM
Our unique interdisciplinary curriculum blends computing and clinical skills in the emerging field of medical informatics. Students gain the technical knowledge required, while at the same time learning the theoretical and managerial skills necessary to truly affect progress in medical informatics.
When students enter the Northwestern MMI program, they generally have either a technical or a clinical background. In order to ensure success in the core program, they are required to take courses from the two tracks below:
- Technologist Track – Students with a technical background take two courses to introduce them to the American health care system and the clinical landscape.
- Clinician Track – Students with clinical backgrounds enroll in two courses designed to familiarize them with basic concepts in computer databases and networking.
Many technologists enter the program with a clear understanding of the clinical landscape due to health care experience and may not need one or two of these preparatory classes. Likewise, many clinicians enter the program with database and networking experience. If accepted into the program, the required courses will be communicated to the student at the time of admission.
As a culmination of the degree program, students complete the leadership class and capstone project.
The 10-week leadership class is designed to equip students with effective leadership techniques and communication skills necessary to implement change management and innovation. The course gives students exposure to theories and best practices in the field and better prepares graduates to meet the challenges of the professional workplace.
The capstone project is a research project and a student’s final course in the MMI program. Students will apply the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum and integrate research on a topic relevant to their professional goals. Working with MMI faculty, students conduct practical research in the field of medical informatics and have up to one year to present their final research.
Click on the course links below for course descriptions:
| Technologist Track (for students with little or no clinical experience) | |
|---|---|
| MED INF 401 | American Health Care System |
| MED INF 402 | Introduction to Clinical Thinking | Clinician Track (for students with minimal computing background) |
| CIS 317 | Introduction to Databases |
| CIS 313 | Telecommunications and Computer Networks | Core Courses |
| MED INF 403 | Introduction to Medical Informatics |
| MED INF 404 | Health Care Enterprise Operations |
| MED INF 405 | HIT Integration, Interoperability and Standards |
| MED INF 406 | Decision Support Systems and Health Care |
| MED INF 407 | Legal, Ethical and Social Issues |
| MED INF 408 | Medical Technology Acquisition and Assessment |
| MED INF 409 | Biostatistics in Medical Informatics |
| MED INF 498 or 590 | Capstone Project |
| MED INF 481-DL | Foundations of Leadership |
