Master of Science in Health Informatics and Bioinformatics

at Grand Valley State University USA

Health Communication is one of four undergraduate majors offered by Grand Valley's School of Communications. Students take courses in the health communication core and biomedical sciences. The curriculum features a variety of topics and an experiential approach to learning.

Why Study Health Communication At Grand Valley?

• The program emphasizes a broad understanding of the field combined with a solid knowledge of specific technical skills.
• Students learn critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with an emphasis on learning-by-doing.
• Students frequently participate in creative performances, exhibitions, and publications related to their chosen major field of study.
• State-of-the-art facilities support current and emergent technologies and enhance student competence.
• Internships are available in a variety of professional work settings.

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. This basic and applied science includes the study of thought, action, and emotion. Psychologists study how people influence and interact with one another, how they develop, and the role that biological mechanisms play in psychological processes.

Why Study Psychology At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members have diverse interests and training that cover the field of psychology with both breadth and depth, so there are a wide range of courses available in the curriculum.
• Offering a high quality, student-oriented education is the focus in psychology.
• Students are immersed in an atmosphere of inquiry, integrity, engagement, community, curiosity, and creativity among peers, staff, and faculty.
• There are opportunities for advanced undergraduate psychology students to work closely with a faculty member on research. There are also internship opportunities to work with organizations outside the university.
• Students have many study abroad opportunities to choose from.

The Master of Science in water resource policy will provide you with the foundation to take a leadership role in the development and implementation of future water resource policies. The curriculum is designed for a range of academic backgrounds including the sciences, public administration, political science, etc. In addition, the program has been developed to serve both traditional graduate students and professionals working in the environmental field.

Why Study Water Resource Policy At Grand Valley?

• This program is the first of its kind in the state of Michigan.
• The emerging need for well-trained water policy professionals. Demands on water resources will continue to grow over the next decade, which will drive program growth in the future.
• Relevant internship placements with organizations that deal with current and emerging water issues give you the opportunity to help research, discuss, and develop new policies.
• Opportunities for study at the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
• Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered in hybrid or online format to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.

The communications studies program stresses skills, such as the analysis of written and visual communication, designing clear and informative messages, building persuasive appeals, and critically analyzing the persuasive appeals of others. The curriculum covers a wide variety of topics, including courses from other major programs within and outside the School of Communications relevant to communication studies.

It is possible to combine communication studies with other major or minor programs, such as advertising and public relations, business, marketing, health communication, multimedia journalism, writing, photography, philosophy, sociology, political science, digital studies, and more.

Why Study Communication At Grand Valley?

• Communication studies majors have flexibility, options, and electives within their curriculum.
• Faculty members are engaged teachers and active scholars with various and complementary areas of academic and professional expertise.
• There are many opportunities to develop talents and gain professional experience through the campus newspaper (Lanthorn), student-run television (GVTV), and radio (Whale), as well as with the visual and performing arts, and internships in professional settings (PBS/NPR) both on and off campus.
• Coursework trains students to apply communication theories and concepts in a variety of work settings, while demonstrating the ability to think strategically, solve problems, and act ethically and legally.
• Career opportunities are varied and wide-ranging for communications professionals.

The Master of Science in biostatistics is a Professional Science Masters' (PSM) program developed in parallel with the applied statistics, data science and analytics, health informatics and bioinformatics, and cell and molecular biology programs

Why Study Biostatistics At Grand Valley?

• Master's level biostatisticians are in demand, which means higher starting salaries within exciting scientific work environments.
• Partners such as Priority Health and Spectrum Health provide formal support for internships and continuing assistance to GVSU students.
• Graduates enjoy careers with outstanding employers such as Van Andel Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• Classes are held later in the day, making it easier for working professionals to complete their degree.
• Program emphasizes current statistical techniques using prominent statistical software.

• The Bachelor of Arts degree in music promotes the study of music within the context of a liberal education curriculum.
• The Bachelor of Music is designed for students with exceptional ability and particular interest in performance.
• The Bachelor of Music Education prepares students to teach music and meet certification requirements for Michigan's elementary and secondary schools.
• A minor in music is also available.

Why Study Music At Grand Valley?

• Studying music at GVSU, within the context of a liberal education foundation, prepares students to answer the call of a rewarding career and life.
• As an undergraduate-only program, our students have greater opportunities to learn and perform.
• Small class sizes allow students to engage directly with faculty members who are committed to understanding and encouraging each student's unique talent and needs.
• Professors are performers, international competition winners, conductors, composers, theorists, scholars, and acclaimed teachers.
• Grand Valley is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The chemistry department goal is to provide rigorous preparation for students whose career paths require expertise in biochemistry. Additionally, faculty members strive to contribute to a chemically literate society through teaching (with classrooms, labs, and research), scholarship, and service.
Students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, a chemistry minor, and a certificate in green chemistry.
Programs are certified by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

Why Study Biochemistry At Grand Valley?

• Faculty Attention. Beyond the freshman year, our courses become smaller and more intimate. All upper-division courses are taught by Ph.D. chemists with specialized training and research expertise. Chemistry faculty members have won many Outstanding Teacher, Pew Teaching Excellence, and Distinguished Undergraduate Mentoring awards from the university.
• Hands-on Laboratories. Students gain extensive experience in laboratories, conducting experiments, synthesizing new molecules, and operating advanced research-quality instruments.
• Research Experiences There are opportunities for students to contribute to genuine scientific research on novel projects while receiving one-on-one mentoring from faculty members. Many students travel to professional meetings with their faculty mentors to present research findings and network with other researchers.
• Employability. Outstanding demand for graduates in local, regional and national industries including biotechnology, pharmaceutical and environmental fields. Students are able to start gaining industry experience while earning their degrees with paid internship positions.
• Preparation for Further Education. Students are well prepared for Master's and PhD-level graduate programs leading to a career in research. Many Biochemistry majors enter medical school, dental school, veterinary school or other healthcare-related training.

A Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A) in general management covers diverse areas of management, allowing for the combination of interests in human resources, management information systems, operations management, and more. The management department also offers targeted majors in:

• Entrepreneurship
• Human resources management
• Management with an emphasis in MIS
• Operations management
• Supply chain management

Why Study Management At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members with distinguished credentials and business expertise work closely with students to form career goals and select courses to achieve those goals
• Current technology is integrated into courses by use of the Internet, e-commerce, and enterprise resource planning.
• Internships and mentorships, available in all business areas, allow you to earn money while gaining valuable business experience. Internships are set up to relate to your field of study and are scheduled around your classes.
• Take classes in the heart of the thriving business environment that is downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
• Network with major corporations and gain access to internships and jobs.

Microbiology encompasses the study of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasitic protozoa, which are organisms that inhabit every corner of our biosphere, and whose impact on human affairs, both positive and negative, is immense. Understanding the biology of microbes has important applications in biotechnology, medicine, public health, and ecology.

The program provides a strong foundational preparation in genetics, biochemistry, physics, and mathematics. These courses in the field focus on critical thinking, research methods, and hands-on laboratory experience.

Students are provided with the foundational tools necessary to progress into subsequent graduate academic programs at the master's and doctorate levels in a variety of disciplines, including microbiology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry.

The program can be tailored to meet the needs of students who plan to enter professional programs, such as medical, dental, or other health professions, after completing the undergraduate degree.

Why Study Microbiology At Grand Valley?

• The microbiology major fulfills the requirements of most graduate and professional schools.
• A majority of courses are taught by experts with a doctorate in their respective fields.
• The laboratory-rich, hands-on aspect of this major prepares graduates for opportunities in a variety of fields requiring these technical skills.
• Students have opportunities to contribute to scientific research while receiving one-on-one mentoring.
• Many students travel to professional meetings with their faculty mentors to present research findings and meet other experts outside of Grand Valley, which provides networking opportunities and strengthens presentation skills.

Students of the public and nonprofit administration program learn how to serve the public interest ethically, effectively, and efficiently. They may choose to focus on:

• Community development and planning
• Community health
• Local economic development
• Public and nonprofit budget and finance
• Public personnel management

Why Study Public And Nonprofit Administration At Grand Valley?

• All students participate in service learning courses and internships, through which they interact within the community, apply new skills, and build professional networks.
• Many public and nonprofit administration students participate in study abroad programs and spring break service learning trips.
• Over 90 percent of recent graduates are successfully placed (employed, attending graduate school, or both).
• The Steelcase Library's Johnson Collection on Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is a valuable resource to students and one of the most comprehensive collections in the country on philanthropy, volunteerism, and nonprofit management.
• Students are required to complete one internship and may register for a second, which gives them the experience they need to succeed, make better career decisions, and jumpstart their career by helping them gain employment more quickly.