<p>I will be entering a 1 year long certificate program in biomedical informatics that includes nearly all the coursework required for a Masters without the thesis. However, I will also be doing independent research with a faculty member as a research assistant. I chose to enter the program because my research mentor encouraged me to and my tuition will be paid for by my department (because of my position as a research assistant). My goal is to get admitted into graduate school for 2009 or 2010 for a PhD in genetics, though my focus would combine genetics and bioinformatics (comparative genomics or something related). </p>
<p>I know the coursework required for the certificate will be very useful, but will the certificate its self matter to graduate admissions? From my understanding, I always though certificate programs were for individuals considering a more technical path, not necessarily academic. Anyone have another perspective, experiences or information about certificate programs (specifically in science or medicine)???</p>
<p>I’m highly considering University of Virginia, University of Indiana- Bloomington, and University of Utah</p>