The MSc in Experimental Medicine (Digital Health Innovation) and the MSc in Surgical and Interventional Sciences (Digital Health Innovation) focus on the basics of clinical epidemiology, medical artificial intelligence, clinical innovation, and applied data science to help trainees develop digital health solutions to unmet clinical needs. Students are grounded in the fundamentals of AI applications in medicine, methods to employ big data in clinical tool development, mathematical principals underpinning digital health and big data, design thinking methodology in clinical innovation, and the utilization of high-volume streams of clinical and health-related data from clinical systems, wearables and social media.
Program Requirements
Completion of the 2-year Digital Health Innovation concentration requires successful completion of courses and an MSc thesis. Coursework will be completed during the first year of the program, and the second year will be dedicated to MSc thesis research.
As the program is jointly offered by the Division of Clinical and Translational Research (Experimental Medicine) and Surgical and Interventional Sciences, the credit requirements vary slightly for students in each department.
Experimental Medicine Students (45 credits)
Required courses (9 credits):
EXMD 601. Real World Applications of Data Science and Informatics.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Winter 2026View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Training in practical applications of health care data science.- Prerequisites: EDPE 575, EPIB 507 or EXMD 634 or equivalent; EPIB 600, EXMD 642 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXMD 634. Quantitative Research Methods.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Topics covered include: 1) An overview of common research designs based on examples from research currently undertaken in the Division of Experimental Medicine; 2) Types of data arising from these designs; 3) Basic methods for data analysis; and 4) Application of these methods to student research projects.- Restriction: Must be registered for graduate or postdoctoral studies in the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Science.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 500. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine .
Credits: 3Offered by: Surgery (Faculty of Medicine & Hlth Sci)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) applied to issues in medical diagnosis, therapy selection and learning from health data. Various AI methods, electronic medical records, and ethical/security concerns. Machine learning approaches including deep learning and reinforcement learning without delving too deeply into the technical details.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder
Complementary courses (12 credits):
3 credits from the following:
EXMD 600. Principles of Clinical Research.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Foundations for conducting clinical research including the principles underlying clinical studies, an overview of key methods in clinical research and the critical interpretation of peer-reviewed literature.- There are no set prerequisites, but it is expected that the student will have some background in mathematics; understanding functions and basic algebra is essential.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEPIB 600. Clinical Epidemiology.
Credits: 3Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Summer 2025View offerings for Summer 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Principles and methods of epidemiology, as applied to clinical practice and clinical research. Key principles of testing and measurement in the clinical context, as well as study design, analysis, and inference in the clinical research setting.- Course offered during the Summer Session only.
- Restriction: Restricted to McGill Medical Residents and Clinical Fellows or permission of the instructor for other clinicians.
- Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the second lecture day and withdrawal is the fifth lecture day.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder
3 credits from the following:
EXMD 630. Developing Digital Innovations for Health Impact.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Winter 2026View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Advanced innovative thinking, knowledge and skills that will aid in the development of innovative digital health solutions. It will integrate mind mapping strategies, design thinking, and usability evaluations that form the core of developing and refining an innovative digital health solution aimed to solve a well-defined clinical/public health problem.- Restriction: Permission of the instructor
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 620. Surgical Innovation 1.
Credits: 3Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
The process of surgical innovation and acquisition of hands-on skills necessary to work within a multi-disciplinary team in the creation of a novel, need driven, and marketable prototype used in the care of the surgical patient. This is the first of a 3 part course introducing concepts and performing needs analyses.- Corequisite(s): EXSU 619
- Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructors.
- Restriction(s): Course requires entry to surgical theatre; this is subject to hospital approval.
- 1) Students may be subject to interview.
- 2) Contact hours 46.5 , 31.5 hours lectures, 15 hours workshops and hospital visits.
- 3) Language of instruction: English, French available.
- 4) Minimum number 6, maximum 30
- 5) Subject to completion of medical requirements/immunization record.
- 6) Professional conduct and dress required at all times in hospital visits when in potential contact with patients.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder
Plus an additional 6 credits of courses at the 500-level or higher approved by the DHI Director
Thesis (24 credits):
EXMD 693. Master's Thesis Research 4.
Credits: 12Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXMD 694. Master's Thesis Research 5.
Credits: 12Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026View offerings for Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder
Surgical and Interventional Sciences Students (45credits)
Required Courses (15 credits):
EXMD 600. Principles of Clinical Research.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Foundations for conducting clinical research including the principles underlying clinical studies, an overview of key methods in clinical research and the critical interpretation of peer-reviewed literature.- There are no set prerequisites, but it is expected that the student will have some background in mathematics; understanding functions and basic algebra is essential.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXMD 601. Real World Applications of Data Science and Informatics.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Winter 2026View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Training in practical applications of health care data science.- Prerequisites: EDPE 575, EPIB 507 or EXMD 634 or equivalent; EPIB 600, EXMD 642 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXMD 634. Quantitative Research Methods.
Credits: 3Offered by: Medicine (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Topics covered include: 1) An overview of common research designs based on examples from research currently undertaken in the Division of Experimental Medicine; 2) Types of data arising from these designs; 3) Basic methods for data analysis; and 4) Application of these methods to student research projects.- Restriction: Must be registered for graduate or postdoctoral studies in the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Science.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 500. Artificial Intelligence in Medicine .
Credits: 3Offered by: Surgery (Faculty of Medicine & Hlth Sci)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) applied to issues in medical diagnosis, therapy selection and learning from health data. Various AI methods, electronic medical records, and ethical/security concerns. Machine learning approaches including deep learning and reinforcement learning without delving too deeply into the technical details.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 620. Surgical Innovation 1.
Credits: 3Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)Terms offered: Fall 2025View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.Description
The process of surgical innovation and acquisition of hands-on skills necessary to work within a multi-disciplinary team in the creation of a novel, need driven, and marketable prototype used in the care of the surgical patient. This is the first of a 3 part course introducing concepts and performing needs analyses.- Corequisite(s): EXSU 619
- Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructors.
- Restriction(s): Course requires entry to surgical theatre; this is subject to hospital approval.
- 1) Students may be subject to interview.
- 2) Contact hours 46.5 , 31.5 hours lectures, 15 hours workshops and hospital visits.
- 3) Language of instruction: English, French available.
- 4) Minimum number 6, maximum 30
- 5) Subject to completion of medical requirements/immunization record.
- 6) Professional conduct and dress required at all times in hospital visits when in potential contact with patients.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder
Thesis (30 credits):
EXSU 690. M.Sc. Research 1.
Credits: 4Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)This course is not offered this catalogue year.Description
Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 691. M.Sc. Research 2.
Credits: 4Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)This course is not offered this catalogue year.Description
Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 692. M.Sc. Research 3.
Credits: 4Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)This course is not offered this catalogue year.Description
Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule BuilderEXSU 693. M.Sc. Thesis.
Credits: 18Offered by: Surgery (Graduate Studies)This course is not offered this catalogue year.Description
Written and oral presentation of thesis proposal to the research Supervisory Committee.Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Launch Visual Schedule Builder