Ahmedabad University launches Health Data Science Master’s programme to help address complex health challenges

The rapid digitisation of data and evolution of technology are creating a growing need for data scientists to analyse complex data to better inform individual choices, clinical practice, industry priorities, public health initiatives, and policy decisions. To address this critical need, Ahmedabad University’s Bagchi School of Public Health has introduced a Master of Science in Health Data Science​​​​​​. The inaugural cohort will commence on July 1, 2027.

The two-year programme is designed to prepare professionals who can bridge health sciences with statistics, computing, and analytical methods for big data to help improve human and planetary health. The curriculum integrates statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, informatics, biomedical engineering, ethics and critical elements of public health. Graduates from the program will be competent in applying data-driven solutions to support evidence-based decision-making for complex health problems.

The programme incorporates recent developments in digital health, applied machine learning, artificial intelligence and analytics, with foundational knowledge about health at individual and population levels, with one year of coursework and one-year mentored interdisciplinary industry internship. Students will learn about emerging approaches for analysing complex health data, including medical imaging (pathology and radiology), multi-omics (metabolomics, genomics, and other omics), exposome data, and other high-dimensional datasets. Students will gain skills in advanced statistical and computational methods, including multivariate and discriminant analysis, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and integrative data analysis, to generate meaningful insights for health and biomedical research. The programme follows a progressive learning pathway designed to support students from diverse academic backgrounds. Learning is centred on methodological skills, real-world data on health, healthcare, and related factors, collaborative assignments, and applied projects.

The programme responds to the growing availability of digital health infrastructure and health data in India, as well as the increasing use of data-driven decision-making across clinical care, public health, biomedical research, industries related to health, and healthcare organisations. It aligns with national initiatives such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and prepares graduates to work across healthcare, biomedical research, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, digital health organisations, hospitals, public health organisations, government agencies, academia, and other national and international institutions.

The Master of Science in Health Data Science programme emphasises methodological rigour, ethical practice, responsible artificial intelligence, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students to develop solutions that are technically robust, meaningful for different stakeholders and populations, and socially responsible.

Dean of the Bagchi School of Public Health, Professor Kaumudi Joshipura​​​​​​, said, "The mission of Bagchi School of Public Health is to improve human and planetary health through research, education and action. Technology to monitor health markers and inform lifestyle choices (including wearables), and technology used in environmental monitoring and healthcare are undergoing rapid transformation. Electronic health records, medical imaging, biomedical sensors, air quality monitors, data recorded through mobile phones, and artificial intelligence generating new possibilities for disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and population health. Healthcare organisations increasingly need professionals who can combine analytical and computational skills with an understanding of health systems, epidemiology, and the responsible use of health data."

The Master of Science in Health Data Science reflects Ahmedabad University’s interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial approach to education, bringing together public health, science, technology, and data to address complex challenges. For more information about the programme, visit: Master of Science in Health Data Science