Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences

Contact Information:
Campus Location: 250 Applied Health Sciences Building (AHSB)
(312) 996-3530
bhis@uic.edu
www.bhis.uic.edu

Administration:
Department Head, Kal Pasupathy
Program Director, Health Information Management, Felecia Williams, MPA, RHIA
Academic Advisor: Contact the Program Director, Felecia Williams, MPA, RHIA

Program Codes:
20GF1304BS (Campus)
2PGF1304BSU (Online)

The mission of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences is to advance the quality and efficiency of healthcare through improved information management, communication, and the generation of new forms of biomedical and other healthcare data. The goals of the department are leadership, innovation, initiative, and quality with strong focus on the unique arena of health informatics at the University of Illinois Chicago.

The department actively supports the central mission of the College of Applied Health Sciences by facilitating innovative educational and research programs, providing leadership within department disciplines to meet current industry challenges, and ensuring that graduates have a competitive edge in the increasingly demanding health informatics marketplace. The department strives to produce healthcare professionals who can effectively partner with and/or lead information technology professionals in the problem-solving activities of their organizations.

The Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences offers an undergraduate program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management. More information is available on the department's website.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).

BS in Health Information Management

The Health Information Management undergraduate degree program provides skilled instruction in the management and use of information and information systems for healthcare planning, provision, resource allocation, and executive decision making. The undergraduate program, established in 1965, maintains a reputation of excellence and consistently produces graduates who become leaders in the field.

Within the world of health information management, registered health information administrators (RHIAs) are responsible for the management of health information systems consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements of the healthcare delivery system. RHIAs often have opportunities to develop information systems for quality patient care, facility reimbursement, medical research, health planning, and healthcare evaluation. Administrative duties of the RHIA encompass responsibility for personnel, capital equipment selection, systems design and analysis, hospital committee activities, and budget management. RHIAs also analyze data, develop presentations, provide health information to qualified users, and safeguard confidential patient data. The job forecast for RHIAs is positive, not only in hospitals but also in other healthcare settings, such as home health agencies, hospice programs, nursing homes, and ambulatory care facilities. Employment opportunities also exist in education, research, consulting, sales, insurance companies, and with state and national healthcare organizations.

The Health Information Management program is available on a full- or part-time basis, campus-based, or online. Admissions to the campus-based program are accepted for the fall semester only. Admissions to the online program are accepted for fall and spring semesters. Although health information technician course credits do not count toward general education, core requirements, or electives, students who are graduates of an associate degree program in health information technology accredited by the Commission on Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), who also hold current Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and/or coding certification may receive up to 28 hours of proficiency credit in required Health Information Management courses. Other students with a transcript of equivalent coursework may request the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency through exam.

Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management degree and are eligible to register for the national RHIA credential examination offered by AHIMA.

Note: Due to the evolving nature of this profession, all courses in the major must be completed within three years of the first required HIM course. If the student goes beyond this time frame, due to leave of absence, single semester time off, repeating courses, or other reasons, the student may be required to demonstrate proficiency by exam or retake the course at an established minimum grade to continue in the program. A student may be dismissed from the program if the student demonstrates a pattern of poor academic progress and has failed to demonstrate competence at the established minimum level.

Admission Requirements

New first year applicants interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management are eligible to apply to the Health Information Management program through the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Science. Students must meet the general UIC entrance requirements. A high school curriculum that emphasizes math and the natural sciences (biology and anatomy and physiology), business, and computer technology gives the student the best chance for success in health information management.

Transfer Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management program must meet these minimum requirements:

Completion of application process.
Good academic standing (cannot be on academic notice).
24 transferable semester hours or 36 transferable quarter hours at an accredited college/university.
Cumulative grade point average of 2.50/4.00 for all transferable undergraduate courses.

See the Office of Admission Transfer Guide for more information about transfer admission requirements.

Degree Program

Minor

Courses

BHIS 399. Undergraduate Research Experience in Health Informatics. 1-3 hours.

An introduction of Biomedical and Health Informatics research to undergraduate students under the guidance of a Health Informatics faculty research advisor. Course Information: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated. Offered on-campus only (not online). Prerequisite(s): Open only to sophomores, juniors, and seniors; and consent of the instructor. Minimum GPA 3.0.

BHIS 405. Medical Sciences and Human Pathophysiology. 3 hours.

Introduction of fundamental concepts in pathophysiology. Specific disorders of major organ systems including etiology, manifestations, diagnostic tests, treatment modalities, pharmacotherapy and complications. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught fully online. Students must have an active UIC NetID with valid password and access to a computer and the Internet. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better in KN 251 and Grade of C or better in KN 252; or Grade of C or better in KN 253 and Grade of C or better in KN 254; or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 406. Medical Terminology for Health Information Management. 2 hours.

An Introduction to medical terminology and pharmacology, necessary to understanding the use of clinical vocabularies and classification systems in health information systems. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught fully online. Students must have an active UIC NetID with valid password and access to a computer and the Internet. Restricted to students in the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences or consent of the Instructor.

BHIS 410. Health Data Structures and Management. 4 hours.

Explores clinical data structures, EHRs, and governance with emphasis on security, compliance, and intrapreneurial problem-solving through project-based learning and system tools. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught partially or fully online. Prerequisite(s): BHIS 460 and BHIS 461 and HIM 365.

BHIS 428. Consumer Health: Engaging Patients Through Technology. 3 hours.

Provides an opportunity to apply patient engagement frameworks through mixed method assessment of health information accessed using health information technology. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Extensive computer use required. Course is offered over 16 weeks for undergraduate students.

BHIS 433. Principles of Evidence-Based Health Care. 2 hours.

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of human subject clinical research: locating, evaluating, comparing scientific papers as bases for health care education and practice. Course Information: Same as MHPE 433. Prerequisite(s): Graduate or professional standing and approval of the school.

BHIS 437. Health Care Data. 3 hours.

Review of data types in a health care information system. How data is transformed into information and then again transformed into knowledge through integrated computer systems. Course Information: Taught online only. A UIC netid is required. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing or consent of the instructor.

BHIS 460. Introduction to Health Informatics. 1 hour.

Introduces information technology and systems in healthcare, including EHRs, privacy and security, informatics foundations, consumer health tools, and data analytics to support quality, safety, and population. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught fully online. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent registration in HIM 410; or consent of the instructor. Recommended background: IDS 200 or the equivalent.

BHIS 461. Information Systems for Health Information Management. 3 hours.

Advanced topics in information technology and systems in health care settings; collection, analysis, and management of healthcare data; special issues for health information administrators. Course Information: Extensive computer use required. Meets eight weeks of the semester. Taught partially or fully online. Prerequisite(s): IDS 200 and credit or concurrent registration in BHIS 460. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Laboratory and one Lecture-Discussion.

BHIS 480. Management and Business Practices. 3 hours.

Principles of management with emphasis on business functions, procedures, and organizational structure as applied to various health care settings including private and institutional practice. Course Information: Prerequisite(s): Advanced undergraduate or graduate standing in the Department of Biomedical and Health Information Sciences or consent of the instructor. Class Schedule Information: To be properly registered, students must enroll in one Lecture-Discussion and one Lecture.

BHIS 499. Information Sources in Biomedical & Health Information Sciences. 1 hour.

Prepares students to locate, interpret and evaluate pertinent research information sources. Course Information: Meets eight weeks of the semester. Extensive computer use required. Taught fully online. Students must have an active UIC netid with valid password and access to a computer and the internet. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or above required; or consent of the instructor.

Academic Catalog

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog