Master In Data Analytics And AI In Health Sciences Review | Curriculum, Careers And Application

Disruptive technology is already transforming the healthcare sector in more ways than you could imagine. From digitalized biology applications to AI-driven diagnostic methods—careers in medicine and life sciences are taking on an entirely new shape. 

This is why two institutions in Milan, Italy—Bocconi University and Humanitas University—have joined forces to create a new program aimed at preparing students for this new era of technological change in healthcare.

BusinessBecause sat down with program co-director, Marco Bonetti, and Professor Massimiliano (Max) Greco to find out more about the new Master of Science (MSc) in Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Health Sciences.

Master in Data Analytics and AI in Health Sciences | Who is it for?

Max, an anesthesiologist and assistant professor at Humanitas, explains that the value of the program being born out of two institutions, Humanitas—a health sciences university—and Bocconi University—a school with strong expertise in statistics and computer science—lies in the schools’ different knowledge areas.  

“The MSc is suited to students who want to enter the emerging area between artificial intelligence and analysis,” says Marco, a professor of statistics from Bocconi University.

The MSc is aimed at graduates with either a bachelor’s degree with a strong scientific background as well as those who have completed a master’s or medicine degree.

Master in Data Analytics and AI in Health Sciences | Curriculum

Within the first year, students will attend both the Bocconi and the Humanitas campuses.

In the first year, students take core courses in Statistics, Computer Programming, Data Systems in Healthcare, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, while choosing from a selection of electives, including Causal Inference and Natural Language Processing.

Students will also take a seminar in Privacy, Ethics, and Regulation in the Application of AI, which Marco says is crucial for those working in this new intersection of research and studies in healthcare.

“We take ethics, privacy, and regulatory issues [in healthcare] very seriously since this is people’s health”.

In the final bimester, held at Humanitas, students study core courses in Biology and Genetics, Data Science for Clinics, and Clinical Epidemiology. 

The entire second year takes place at Humanitas, where students work on biological and clinical data through experiential learning in a hospital.

“The courses are designed to help students becoming professionals who mix competencies of various jobs: doctors, researchers, and data scientists,” says Max.

“Students gain insights in healthcare from both an organizational and clinical point of view, using real-world data from patients and hospitals”.

One of the core courses in the second year, Applications of AI in Health Sciences, summarizes everything students have learned about data science in healthcare and AI in their first year.

Most courses mix theory with laboratories, and the entire program is geared toward applications, such as mastering programming languages such as Python and R.

Most significantly, students meet companies through laboratory partnerships with industries and are required to complete an internship as part of the curriculum.

“We want students to not be just studying and learning the theory, but getting their hands dirty from day one,” says Marco.

Master in Data Analytics and AI in Health Sciences | Career opportunities

Due to the broad array of skills students gain from the master’s degree, graduates will have a lot of career opportunities to choose from.

Graduates will work as researchers, data scientists, in both public and private hospitals, in pharmaceutical companies and healthcare organizations.

“We expect all students to quickly find a job in the field and we are working hard at it through our relationships with stakeholders,” says Marco.

Master in Data Analytics and AI in Health Sciences | Application and fees

Students applying for the MSc program will be evaluated on their university career, previous work experience, a motivation letter and other personal and academic achievements.

The tuition costs a total of €40,252 (roughly $43k) for the two-year program and is divided into several installments. Students can also apply for merit and need-based scholarships.

“We welcome applications from students with a background in either data-science or health and biotechnology and we will appreciate a a genuine interest in health problems, no matter where they come from.

“I've been working in statistics, in health and in oncology, for many years—you need real passion, and this is the kind of motivation we want to see in the application process,” concludes Marco.