PhD in Informatics

Degree Requirements

The following is a brief synopsis of the general degree requirements; please see the Informatics Institute web site or the Emphasis in Bioinformatics and Emphasis in Health Informatics  for complete details:

  • Students must take required and area courses
  • Students must pass a qualifying examination
  • Students must present at least one institutional seminar annually
  • Students are required to complete a comprehensive exam, which includes written and oral elements, within a specified time frame
  • Students must pass a comprehensive examination at least 7 months before their scheduled defense
  • Students must submit and defend a dissertation describing the results of successful and original research in one of the branches of informatics.
  • To show research progress, students are expected to be working toward presenting at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals based on their informatics research.

Admission Criteria

Fall deadline: The deadline for Fall admission is March 1. However, to be considered for departmental and Graduate School fellowships and assistantships, applications should be submitted by December 1st.

  • Preferred GPA: 3.3 out of 4.0
  • Preferred GRE scores*:
When did you take the GRE? Verbal + Quantitative Analytical
On or After August 1, 2011 309 3.5-4.0
*

or a preferred GMAT score of 570

  • Preferred TOEFL:
Internet-based test (iBT) Paper-based test (PBT)
90 577
  • Sufficient background and training to pursue advanced degree in informatics

All Required Documents

Students are required to send ALL required application materials through the Graduate School on-line application system. To begin your application, please see the ApplyYourself website.

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. Statement of Purpose, which should include a summary of why the applicant is interested in pursuing an advanced informatics degree, a brief description of your previous research experiences, the specific area of informatics you are interested in pursuing, and your future career goals and plans in the informatics field.
  3. TOEFL/ELTS scores for international applicants, if required. 
  4. Three letters of recommendation from faculty or supervisors who can evaluate the applicant’s credentials and potential to become successful in the area of informatics.
  5. Scanned copies of transcripts from each college and university attended.  If accepted, applicants will be required to have official copies of their transcripts sent directly from the institution to the Graduate School.

Optional Documents

Applicants are not required to submit GRE/GMAT scores. However, they can be submitted on an optional basis. Use institution code 6875. The departmental code is not required.

Applicants are also encouraged to submit representative publications in informatics, if available.

Admission Contact Information

MUIDSI Staff (mailto: muiiadmissions@missouri.edu)
22 Heinkel Building
Columbia, MO 65211-2060
Phone: 573-882-9007
FAX: 573-884-8709
MU Institute for Data Science and Informatics (MUIDSI) website: https://muidsi.missouri.edu