Welcome to Our New Students and Future Applicants!

On behalf of the School of Medicine Graduate Studies Office and the Department of Computational and Systems Biology, I am thrilled to welcome you to the Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CoBB) Master of Science program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. We are excited to have you join us on this transformative journey in healthcare innovation, research, and technology-driven solutions.

About Our Program

Our MS program sits at the intersection of advanced computational methods and biomedical sciences. Our goal is to empower you to become a game-changer in healthcare, biotech, academia, and beyond. CoBB MS program focuses on translating cutting-edge computational technologies into real-world advances in biomedicine and biotechnology. Whether your background is in biological sciences or in engineering, chemistry, computer science, or any other quantitative disciplines, our curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills you need to meet current challenges in biotechnology using computational, mathematical, and statistical techniques.

Code the Cure, Build the Future!

This is not just our slogan; it’s a mantra that encapsulates the essence of what we aim to achieve together. We are committed to innovating for life, by applying computational tech to revolutionize medical solutions.

Life in Pittsburgh

As you embark on this academic journey, you’ll also be immersed in one of the best cities to live in the USA. Pittsburgh is not just a city of innovators and entrepreneurs; it is a city rich in culture and diversity. Whether you’re a fan of sports, art, or nature, Pittsburgh offers a vibrant lifestyle with its 90 unique neighborhoods, world-class museums, and robust arts and culture scene. Pittsburgh is also a hub for groundbreaking work in biotech, robotics, AI, and cybersecurity, embodying the same spirit of innovation that we cherish in our program.

Why Choose Us?

Ranked Among the Best: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is consistently ranked as a top medical school, holding the 13th and 11th spots in research and primary care respectively in the USA (U.S. News & World Report). Globally, our School of Medicine is ranked 62 in medicine and 72 in Life Sciences and Medicine (QS Top Universities Ranking). The School of Medicine’s association with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), a leading healthcare provider in the USA, further strengthens its reputation.

National Leader in Biomedical Research: With a recent No. 3 National Institutes of Health (NIH) ranking and $550 million in research funding, the School of Medicine provides one of the most research-intensive training environments.

Graduate Success Stories: We take great pride in our graduates’ accomplishments. They have gone on to secure prominent positions in industry-leading companies and research institutions, including Microsoft, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the University of Pittsburgh Drug Discovery Institute. Additionally, many have successfully gained admission into top Ph.D. programs.

Financial and Professional Support: While scholarships are not available, our students have access to paid research positions across various departments. This not only offers financial support but also provides valuable, hands-on experience that enhances both academic and professional development. You can apply through the University Job Portal or approach faculty directly for opportunities.

Academic Excellence & Flexibility

Multidisciplinary Biomed and Biotech Curriculum:  Our coursework is designed to be engaging and interdisciplinary, equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills that pave the way for successful careers in the dynamic fields of computational biology, biomedicine, and biotechnology. To foster a well-rounded and in-depth understanding, students are required to select at least one course from each of six pivotal areas of study: 1) Data Science, Programming, Probability, and Statistics, 2) Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Bioimage Analysis, 3) Genomics and Precision Medicine, 4) Molecular and Cell Systems Modeling, 5) Drug Discovery and Quantitative Pharmacology, and 6) Specialized Courses, based on the student’s interests, can be selected from a wide range of offerings at the University of Pittsburgh, including the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Health Sciences, among others.

Shared Courses with Top-Ranked Ph.D. Programs: Our program shares courses with renowned Ph.D. programs like the Joint Carnegie Mellon University-University of Pittsburgh Ph.D. Program in Computational Biology and the University of Pittsburgh Integrative Systems Biology program. This shared coursework not only provides our master’s students with a strong academic foundation but also facilitates a smooth transition for those opting to continue into doctoral studies.

High Success Rate for Ph.D. Admission: So far, our master’s students have achieved notable success in Ph.D. applications, such as a higher than 50% acceptance rate when applying to the Joint CMU-Pitt Ph.D. Program in Computational Biology—significantly above the program’s typical admission rate of less than 10%.

Tailored to Your Needs: Whether you’re a full-time student or balancing work with your studies, our program provides the flexibility of part-time options, aiming to accommodate your scheduling needs within the constraints of the curriculum.

As we embark on this academic journey together, I am confident that our program will exceed your expectations and equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for a prosperous career in biomedical data science.

Best wishes for a successful and fulfilling experience!

Warm regards,
Assoc. Prof. Mert Gur
Director, Computational Biomedicine and Biotechnology MS Program
Department of Computational and Systems Biology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine