Health Informatics

Graduate Programs

Description

Effectively use health informatics and analytics to impact health, health promotion, healthcare delivery, and healthcare decision making by preparing healthcare professionals, analysts, and visionary future leaders who maximize inter-professional collaborations through data analysis, knowledge discovery, and dissemination of cutting edge innovations for the benefit of the individual, family, and business while promoting societal health outcomes. 

Majors

 Program Locations Major / Total Credits
Health Informatics Analytics PSM PSM - Professional Science Master's
  • Mankato
 30 / 30

Policies & Faculty

Policies

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements ofthe College of Graduate Studies and Research, successful applicants must meet thefollowing requirements for admission:
 
1. A four-year cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
2. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in nursing or in informationtechnology, information systems, computer science, management information systems or related fields.
3. Qualified students with other backgrounds may be granted admission but willbe required to complete additional prerequisites courses in core areas to be prepared for graduate level coursework.
4. All students must meet all prerequisite requirements of the graduate levelcourses in which the student plans to enroll.
5. Prerequisites for core courses will be considered deficiencies until satisfied.
 
For admission to the Health Informatics and Analytics PSM Program, applicants must provide a one-page statement of career interests and goals to the Computer Information Science Department.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the graduation requirements of the College of Graduate Studies and Research, students in this program must also satisfactorily complete the capstone seminar course (CIS 692 or NURS 692) demonstrating an appropriate level of mastery of each of the program level outcomes.

Depending on whether the student is currently employed in the field, the capstone experience can be performed for the current employer, as part of an internship, externship, or to benefit a non-profit entity, or as a project designed in connection with an mock, open source, or appropriately obtained proprietary data set. Each student must make a presentation to faculty and peers in the program. Where necessary, intellectual property waivers and/or non-disclosure agreements will need to be in place ahead of such presentation.

A minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale is required for graduation. 

Contact Information

273 Wissink Hall

CIS Department Office (507) 389-1412
https://cset.mnsu.edu/cis

Faculty

Chair
  • Sarah Kruse, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
  • Sarah Kruse, Ph.D.
Faculty

500 Level

Credits: 4

Students will gain foundational skills in health informatics, systems analysis, data modeling, data gathering, data retrieval, data governance and systems security to create useful information for health-related decision making. This course does not count toward the MS IT degree.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Examine the roles in health informatics, information technology and analytics while striving to improve individual, family, and societal healthcare outcomes, through the gathering, retrieval, and analysis of data. Students will gain foundational knowledge regarding health, healthcare practices, safety, and compassionate care reflecting an understanding of human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and care management across the health-illness continuum, across the lifespan, and in all healthcare settings.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Concepts and algorithms used in computer graphics, including polygonal and curved images in both 2 and 3 dimensions, representation of solid objects, and color and illumination models. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course endeavors to provide the student with a solid understanding of the principles, techniques and tools involved in advanced object-oriented programming as it is practiced in enterprise industries. The successful student should have a distinct advantage in the marketplace. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course provides an introduction to data science, discusses opportunities and challenges associated with data science projects, and develops competencies related to data collection, data cleaning, data analysis, and model evaluation. The course focuses on hands-on exercises using data analytics tools.

Prerequisites: CIS 223, CIS 340

Credits: 4

Current practice and future directions in robotics, including robot anatomy, kinematics, sensors, sensor interfacing and fusion, mobile robotics, real-time programming, vision and image processing algorithms, and subsumption architecture. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Extensive coverage of SQL, database programming, large scale data modeling, and database enhancement through reverse engineering. This course also covers theoretical concepts of query processing, and optimization, basic understanding of concurrency control and recovery, and database security and integrity in centralized/distributed environments. Team-oriented projects in a heterogeneous client server environment.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course provides science and study of methods of protecting data, and designing disaster recovery strategy. Secure database design, data integrity, secure architectures, secure transaction processing, information flow controls, inference controls, and auditing. Security models for relational and object-oriented databases. Pre: With permission by instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The course explores big data in structured and unstructured data sources. Emphasis is placed on big data strategies, techniques and evaluation methods. Various data analytics are covered. Students experiment with big data through big data analytics, data mining, and data warehousing tools.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

The course includes information warfare principles and technologies. The key areas are: Information warfare concepts; Protocols, Authentication, and Encryption; Network attach techniques, methodologies, and tools; Network defense; Malware: trojans, worms, viruses, and malicious code; Electronic crimes and digital evidence. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course offers theoretical and simulated clinical practice to develop advanced skills in health and physical assessment throughout the life span. Students complete a client data base and identify nursing problems necessary in making clinical judgments and planning and caring for the health care needs of individual clients.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Course content begins with legal and ethical considerations for nurse prescribers, proceeds with presentation and analysis of core decision-making processes and advanced practices nurses use to select drugs, and finally explores clinical case management concepts involved in monitoring persons as they use prescribed drugs.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course provides a foundation in advanced physiology and pathophysiology at the cellular, organic and systemic level. This foundation serves as a basis for clinical assessment and management by advanced practice nurses. Key concepts and integration of function among systems will be emphasized. The impact of psychosocial variables on physiologic function will be explored.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Advanced practice assessment tools and procedures encountered by a Family Nurse Practitioner are explored and practiced during seminars, including basic laboratory, electrocardiogram, and radiology interpretation, splinting, and dermatologic procedures.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Advanced coverage of data communication, networking and security protocols. Topics include: data transmission methods, error detection and recovery, flow control, routing, data throughput, security issues, and performance analysis of existing and emerging protocols for secure communication between the many points within a computer network and across the internet. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Network and server systems administration include: domain administration; file system management; networked printers; user management; and workstation configuration. Network programming experience will be gained through programming assignments/projects in Layered Software Systems, HTTP Server, UDP (TFTP or DNS), CGI program, IPV6, RPC/SCTP. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course provides an understanding of existing and emerging mobile and wireless data networks, with an emphasis on digital data communications. Students will gain an understanding of the unique considerations that must be given to network protocols for wireless and mobile communication as well as their applications. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course is designed to give students the skills required to write applications for mobile devices (smartphones and tablets). Topics to be covered include interacting with the UI, using an emulator/simulator, application lifecycle, moving from one screen to another, services, alarms, broadcast receivers, maps API, location based programs, gps, persistence, hardware sensors, and web applications.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

Topics include software quality assurance, software quality metrics, software configuration management, software verification and validation, reviews, inspections, and software process improvement models, functional and structural testing models.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course discusses concepts and techniques for design, development and evaluation of user interfaces. Students will learn the principles of interaction design, interaction styles, user-centered design, usability evaluation, input/output devices, design and analysis of controlled experiments and principles of perception and cognition used in building efficient and effective interfaces. Group project work.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

HTTP Protocol; Presentation abstractions; Web-markup languages; Client-side programming; Server-side programming; Web services; Web servers; Emerging technologies; Security; Standards & Standard Bodies; Techniques for web interface design; User-centered design; Visual development environments and development tools; Measure the effectiveness of interface design. Pre: With permission by the instructor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

An introduction to all important aspects of software engineering. The emphasis is on principles of software engineering including project planning, requirements gathering, size and cost estimation, analysis, design, coding, testing, implementation, and maintenance. Group project work.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course is designed to give students the skills required to design and develop video games. The primary focus of the course is on mobile game development, game design principles and user-centered design methodologies. A play-centric approach to game design and development will be studied, discussed and applied in the production of a game demo.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-3

Workshop(s) with various topics and titles.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Special topics not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.

Prerequisites: none

600 Level

Credits: 3

Research methodology in general and in computer science. Data and research sources. Analysis of existing research. Preliminary planning and proposals. Conceptualization, design, and interpretation of research. Good reporting. Same as CS 600. Pre-req: An elementary statistics course.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Special topics in computer science research not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit on each new topic.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Concepts, theories, and models that inform advanced nursing practice are systematically examined and evaluated. Selected theories are analyzed and critiqued utilizing theory formation criteria. Students discuss application of nursing science and conceptual models to clinical area of focus and critically articulate use of theory-based practice in family and/or advanced nursing roles.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

Students attend seminar presentations and present a research topic at one of the seminars. Same as CS 602. Pre-req: consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is an analysis of the complex ethical and legal issues within clinical nursing practice. Emphasis is on inquiry into ethical ways of knowing and practicing in nursing. Ethical issues related to population health and health disparities are examined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course investigates the professional identification and activities necessary in advanced nursing roles. Theoretical concepts of leadership, management, consultation, clinical investigation, and education will be examined relative to the graduate nurse's responsibility for collaboration and consultation in nursing research, practice, and health policy development.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The role of research and its application, utilization and integration in nursing practice is examined. Research approaches, designs and methods are analyzed. Emphasis is placed on development of analytic skills for reading and applying research in advanced practice roles.

Prerequisites: HLTH 675

Credits: 3

Students will investigate mental health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and management in providing care to individuals and families to assess and detect actual and potential mental health problems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course provides a foundation in human genetics and genomics to prepare advanced practice nurses to evaluate individual and family risk for genetic/genomic disorders, utilize diagnostic testing, and provide educational, and therapeutic interventions within their scope of practice. Ethical, legal, social, cultural, economic, and policy implications of genetics/genomics will be examined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Middle-range theories that describe and explain the development of health-related behaviors are analyzed. Focus is on how multiple environments influence the development of health-related perceptions and behaviors of individuals, families and groups.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Examine information technology systems, including decision-support systems that are essential to gathering evidence to impact health and value-based clinical practice. Discover how improvement in cost effectiveness and safety depends on evidence-based practice, outcomes research, and inter-professional care coordination.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

The student will apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to interpret health-related data to inform healthcare decisions and influence individual, family, and societal health outcomes. The student will experience the dynamic process of working within a team to utilize informatics to transform the coordination and delivery of care across multiple settings.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Discover what happens when health practice and service delivery collide with the capture of data, by observing the provision of care in various settings and identifying sources of data. Students in this course will be challenged to utilize health technologies, identify and capture valuable data, and discuss meaningful ways that information can be used to enhance health education, influence care delivery, and innovate practice for individuals, families and society.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course is a continuation of Artificial Intelligence (IT 530). Emphasis is placed on advanced topics and the major areas of current research within the field. Theoretical and practical issues involved with developing large-scale systems are covered. Same as CS 630. Pre-req: IT 530

Prerequisites: CIS 518

Credits: 3

The design of large-scale, knowledge¿based data mining. Emphasis on concepts and application of machine learning using big data. Examination of knowledge representation techniques and problem¿solving methods used to design knowledge¿based systems. Pre-req: instructor permission required

Prerequisites: CIS 518

Credits: 3

In-depth study of advanced topics such as object-oriented databases, intelligent database systems, parallel databases, database mining and warehousing, distributed database design and query processing, multi-database integration and interoperability, and multilevel secure systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This course examines family nursing models and middle-range theories useful for family nursing practice. Theoretical constructs and processes of family health and illness experiences are explored. Family as context and family as a unit of care are analyzed. Innovative and evidence-based family nursing interventions and models of care to influence family health are constructed, applied, and evaluated.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

In this course, students will design and implement distributed big data architecture. The architecture consists integration of homogenous and heterogeneous databases and other structured and unstructured data sources. Students will apply concepts of distributed recovery and optimization, and other related topics.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Part I: Focuses on health promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health for adults and older adults. Emphasizes development of diagnostic, prescriptive, and management skills related to selected health problems to facilitate clinical decision making and delivery of advanced practice nursing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Theoretical concepts, assessments, and intervention strategies related to health among culturally diverse children and adolescents are critiqued. Health promotion/protection and nursing management of acute and selected chronic health problems of the child and adolescent are addressed.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

Management of reproductive health care needs is addressed. Health promotion and management of acute and chronic health problems are examined. The role of the health care delivery system and issues related to reproductive ethics, health policy, and research are critiqued.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Part II: Focuses on health promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health for adults and older adults. Emphasizes development of diagnostic, prescriptive, and management skills related to selected health problems to facilitate clinical decision making and delivery of advanced practice nursing.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Content covered will include the following: scientific process; sampling bias; hypothesis tests; confidence intervals; risk analysis vs assessment; statistical analysis concepts. Issues with qualitative and quantitative risk analysis methodologies. Exposure to and practice with multiple risk analysis methodologies, including at least one that is considered a standard.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course examines the organizational leadership structure and competencies of healthcare and/or IT organizations, the governance planning process, financial management, ethical and legal decision-making, privacy, and data-based best practices that balance organizational and regulatory requirements with feasible cost-effective solutions.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Content covered will include the following: analyze audience; define report outline and objectives for target audience (IT, executives, audit & compliance); ethos/pathos/logos concepts; white papers. Data misrepresentations, intentional or unintentional; appropriate use of data visualization tools and dashboards; representing needle in haystack data (low volume, high risk).

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Risk management strategies. Human factors, resistance to change. Design, development and evaluation of security controls; catalog of security controls; performance metrics. Management oversight; cost-benefit analysis, business impact analysis; policies, processes, standards. Technical, administrative, physical controls.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Course examines advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment concepts useful for nurse educators.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course will focus on research, design, and analysis of computer networks and data communications systems. The course will also entail detailed examination of modern communication standards, protocol systems and their implementation. Additional topics may include transmission technology, packet switching, routing, flow control, and protocols. Same as CS 662. Pre-req: IT 562 or 564

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

Analysis of issues and best practices related to developing healthy lifestyles and behaviors in individuals, families, and communities. Selected health promotion middle-range theories and models for population health advocacy are examined.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

This course focuses on specialty care of children/adolescents and clients with reproductive health needs across the life spectrum. Students contract with a certified family, pediatric, and/or specialty advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician or physician assistant for this 100-hour clinical experience. This course encompasses wellness care of children/adolescents and management of acute/chronic child and adolescent-related health problems. Students will utilize assessment skills, develop differential diagnoses, and implement plans of care for clients with reproductive health needs, as well as provide well-woman exams and preventive care. The clinical experience focuses on the beginning development of the family nurse practitioner. NURS 642, 643, 672, 743 must be taken concurrently.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 2

This course is a continuation of Child/Adolescent/Reproductive Health I, encompassing specialty care of children/adolescents and clients with reproductive health needs across the life spectrum. Students contract with a certified family, pediatric, and/or specialty advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), physician or physician assistant for this 100-hour clinical experience. This course encompasses wellness care of children/adolescents and management of acute/chronic child/adolescent-related health problems. Students utilize assessment skills, further develop differential diagnoses, and implement plans of care for clients with reproductive health needs and provide focused well-woman exams and preventive care. The clinical experience focuses on the developing family nurse practitioner skillset. Must be taken concurrently with NURS 673.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and develop skills related to the role of the family nurse practitioner in the healthcare management of clients/families in primary care settings.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 7

This course provides the opportunity to apply knowledge and advance skills related to the role of the family nurse practitioner in the healthcare management of clients/families with complex disease states and conditions in primary care.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Problems on an individual basis. Pre-req: consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-5

Course provides students with opportunity to focus on a research problem that is related to their area of nursing practice. Students work with a nursing faculty advisor (committee chairperson) in developing the thesis proposal, writing the thesis, and preparing disseminate the results of the study. With the advisor's approval, the thesis is submitted for oral defense as part of the requirements for the MSN degree.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced software design, analysis, and development techniques under realistic time and budget constraints. Hands-on project management techniques. Emphasis of concepts through immersion in a team project of significant size. Same as CS 680. Pre-req: IT 580

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Statistical package programs used in data collection, transformation, organization, summarization, interpretation and reporting, statistical description and hypothesis testing with statistical inference. Interpreting outputs, Chi-square, correlation, regression, analysis of variance, nonparametrics, and other designs. Accessing and using large files (U.S.Census data, National Health Survey, etc.). Same as CS 690. Pre-req: a statistics course

Prerequisites: CIS 518

Credits: 1-6

A course designed to upgrade the qualifications of persons on-the-job. Pre-req: consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Student will integrate their health-related background with the practical application of scientific and professional knowledge, behavior, and skills. Students will employ health advocacy strategies, principles of quality improvement, healthcare policy knowledge, and cost-effectiveness as part of an inter-professional team to analyze data and develop a strategy to impact practice improvements in order to increase the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery, improve satisfaction, or manage health-related costs.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Students will integrate their technology-related background with the practical application of scientific and professional knowledge, behavior, and skills. Students will employ health advocacy strategies, principles of quality improvement, healthcare policy knowledge, and cost-effectiveness as part of an inter-professional team to analyze data and develop a strategy to impact practice improvements in order to increase the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery, improve satisfaction, or manage health-related costs.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-2

Preparation of a master's degree alternate plan paper under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Pre-req: consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-12

Provides students with opportunity to utilize their training in a real-world business environment working under the guidance and direction of a faculty member. (A maximum of 4 credits apply toward a degree in this department.) Pre: consent Fall, Spring, Summer

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-6

Preparation of a master's degree thesis under the direction of the student's graduate advisor. Pre-req: consent

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-4

Course provides students with the opportunity to focus on a research problem that is related to their area of nursing practice. Students work with a nursing faculty advisor (committee chairperson) in developing the thesis proposal, writing the thesis, and preparing to disseminate the results of the study. With the advisor's approval, the thesis is submitted for oral defense as part of the requirements for the MSN degree.

Prerequisites: none

700 Level

Credits: 3

This course prepares advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead and mentor other nurses and health care workers to promote safe, quality health care in a variety of settings and within a variety of roles.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills related to information systems and patient care technology that prepare the DNP graduate to manage individual and aggregate level information and assess and improve the effectiveness of nursing care.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Organizational and systems leadership skills are evaluated and tested. Focus of the course is on transformational leadership, leading in a culturally sensitive environment, change strategies, measurement of outcomes, data driven decision-making, and the business realities of leading health care systems.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 3

Advanced nursing actions to facilitate health of individuals, families and society and intervention models used to support nursing practice are constructed, implemented, and critically evaluated. The science of health and illness experiences and evidence guiding nursing actions are appraised.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This seminar and practicum course focuses on program needs assessment, program development, and program planning within the interprofessional team. The DNP student works on small evidence-based projects at a clinical site under the direction of a preceptor.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This seminar and practicum course focuses on program implementation and evaluation data collection. The DNP student works with a preceptor at the clinical site applying interprofessional team leadership and informatics skills related to evidence-based clinical program implementation and management.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 4

This seminar and practicum course focuses on program evaluation and dissemination. The DNP student works with a preceptor to disseminate program outcomes and demonstrate applicability of findings for the clinical setting and the profession.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1-5

Enrollment for direct advanced nursing practice in a precepted clinical setting for post-masters students in the DNP program who need additional practice hours to fulfill the 1000 clinical practice hour requirement. May be repeated. Prerequisite: admission to post-masters DNP program. Pass/No credit. 1 semester credit = 50 clinical hours.

Prerequisites: none

Credits: 1

This course allows continuing enrollment in the DNP program to complete the capstone project. It continues registration after completion of all other program requirements and may not be used to meet any other program or graduation requirement.

Prerequisites: none