Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics (Health Studies Minor)

Website: https://twu.edu/informatics/undergraduate-programs/

The B.S. in Health Informatics with a Health Studies Minor begins with a comprehensive computer science core and combines academic components from the health studies program.  This interdisciplinary and intraprofessional program thoroughly prepares students for the diverse careers available to those with in-demand data science-oriented degrees.  The program teaches key components of Health Informatics related to such areas as Medical Terminology, Environmental health, Epidemiology, and Women's Health.  At TWU, small class sizes provide quality learning environments and active engagement with university faculty.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Apply knowledge of computer science, information science, nursing, health sciences, and informatics theory to nursing practice, education, healthcare administration, or research, in collaboration with other health informatics specialists.
  2. Work effectively as a member of an inter-professional project team to coordinate database and project development, determine project scope and limitations, critically analyze issues, and solve problems.
  3. Design and validate clinical/healthcare databases, including designing and testing logic checks.
  4. Plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard information in computer files against accidental or unauthorized damage, modification, or disclosure.
  5. Prepare reports or correspondence concerning project specifications, activities, or status.
  6. Demonstrate personal accountability and work habits, integrity, and ethical behavior.
  7. Proficient in the software tools to achieve the skills listed, including but not limited to Java, Python, Perl, SQL, NoSQL, R, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Visio, Tableau, SAS, SPSS, modeling software.

Admissions

All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements.

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 120   

Major: 43 SCH  Minor: 18 SCH

Program Code: INFOHLTH.BS.HLTH;   CIP Code: 51.2706.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

CSCI 1423
& CSCI 1421		Programming Fundamentals I
and Programming Fundamentals I - Laboratory		4
CSCI 1513Introduction to Informatics3
CSCI 2493Programming Fundamentals II3
CSCI 3053Data Structures3
CSCI 3423Database Management3
CSCI 3513Information Systems Project Management3
CSCI 3603Foundations of Data Science3
CSCI 4313Networking and Data Communication3
HS 3033Medical Terminology3
HS 3383Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Informatics3
LS 3053Interdisciplinary Information Retrieval3
MATH 1713Elementary Statistics II3
NURS 2213Introduction to Health Informatics3
HS 4923Capstone in Interprofessional Informatics3
Total SCHs43

Courses Required for Minor

Select 18 SCH from the following (approved by advisor)18
HS 3133
Perspectives on Women's Health
HS 3403
Environmental Health and Safety Education
HS 3413
Epidemiology
HS 3433
Current Trends in Population Health and Health Informatics
HS 4563
Overview of Public Health Surveillance
HS 4573
Occupational Risk Assessment
HS 4743
Needs Assessment, Planning, and Evaluation for Health Professionals
Total SCHs18

Departmental Requirements

MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I (may be applied from core)3
Elective (to include 3 SCH global perspectives)15
Total SCHs18

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
CSCI 1421Programming Fundamentals I - Laboratory 1
CSCI 1423Programming Fundamentals I COSC 14363
CSCI 1513Introduction to Informatics 3
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
MATH 1703Elementary Statistics I (Recommended Core Math) MATH 13423
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: the First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
 SCHs 17
SpringTCCN
CSCI 2493Programming Fundamentals II COSC 14373
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
MATH 1713Elementary Statistics II 3
Creative Arts Core3
 SCHs 15
Second Year
FallTCCN
CSCI 3053Data Structures 3
CSCI 3423Database Management 3
NURS 2213Introduction to Health Informatics 3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
Life/Physical Sciences Core3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HS 3033Medical Terminology 3
MATH 1013Financial and Quantitative Literacy (Recommended Core CAO) MATH 13323
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Life/Physical Sciences Core3
Multicultural Women's Studies (CAO) Core3
 SCHs 15
Third Year
FallTCCN
CSCI 3513Information Systems Project Management 3
CSCI 3603Foundations of Data Science 3
LS 3053Interdisciplinary Information Retrieval 3
Minor Course3
Social & Behavioral Science Core 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HS 3383Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Informatics 3
PHIL 1023Introduction to Philosophy (Language, Philosophy, Culture Core) PHIL 13013
Minor Course 3
Minor Course 3
Elective (Global Perspectives course)3
 SCHs 15
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
CSCI 4313Networking and Data Communication 3
Minor Course 3
Minor Course (Upper Level) 3
Elective3
Elective 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
HS 4923Capstone in Interprofessional Informatics 3
Minor Course (Upper Level) 3
Elective3
Elective3
Elective 1
 SCHs 13
 Total SCHs:  120