MPhil-PhD in Computational Biology and Health Informatics
The MPhil-PhD Programme in Computational Biology and Health Informatics is a cutting-edge research-oriented master’s and doctoral program at the intersection of biomedical sciences and computer science. The program aims to cultivate interdisciplinary researchers with expertise in computational modeling, bioinformatics algorithm development, and medical big data analysis, capable of addressing complex challenges in life sciences and healthcare. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the integrated application of biology, medicine, and artificial intelligence technologies. Core research areas include computational molecular design, biomedical machine learning, multi-omics analysis (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.), and public health informatics. By integrating multidisciplinary approaches, this program is committed to advancing technological innovation in precision medicine and health management, and to training highly qualified professionals with both academic depth and practical skills for careers in biomedicine, intelligent healthcare, and public health.
Required courses | Group A courses (MPhil students select at least 12nits; PhD students select at least 18 units) | Group B courses (MPhil students and PhD students select at least 3 units) |
Thesis Research I | Advanced Biomedical Imaging | Biochemical and Molecular Basis of Diseases |
Thesis Research II | Applied Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare | Molecular Pharmacology and Modern Drug Development |
Responsible Conduct of Biological Science Research | Computational Molecular Modelling and Design | Topics in Computer-Aided Drug Design |
Research Seminars I | Statistical Inference | Computational Structural Biology |
Research Seminars II | Categorical Data Analysis | Structural Analysis of Proteins |
Thesis Writing and Presentation | Bayesian Statistics | Organic Chemistry with a Biological Emphasis |
Civic Education (CE) courses | Statistical Genetics and Genomics | Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics |
| Epigenomics and Microbiomics | Biomarker Development for Clinical Practice |
| Computational Proteomics and Metabolomics | Generalized Linear Models |
| Public Health and Informatics | Selected Topics in Biomedical Informatics I |
| Theories and Algorithms in Bioinformatics | Selected Topics in Biomedical Informatics II |
| Genome Informatics | Selected Topics in Biomedical Informatics III |
| Statistical Methods for Biomedical Research | Human Factors and System Design in Health Care |
| Machine Learning for Biomedical Research | Evaluation Methods for Health Informatics |
| Biological Databases Design and Data Visualization | Performance Measurements in Health Care: Theory and Application |
| Deep Learning | Selected Topics in Deep Learning |
|
| Physical Basis of Molecular Biology |
For the Doctor of Philosophy stream, the applicant shall have:
1. A Master's degree holder from a recognized university; or
2. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
3. Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor's degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B" and ≥3.2/4.0; or
4. Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.
For a Master's stream, the applicant shall have:
1. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
2. Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor's degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B" ; or
3. Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.
To fulfill the University’s minimum English language requirements for admission to postgraduate programmes, applicants* should have:
1. obtained a degree from a university in Hong Konga or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or
2. achieved scores in the following English Language testsb as indicated:
i. TOEFL: 550 (Paper-based)/79 (Internet-based/Home Edition);
ii. IELTS (Academic): 6.5(Test Centre based/Online);
iii. GMAT: Band 21 (Verbal)c;
iv. GMAT Focus Edition: Band 78 (Verbal); or
3. obtained a pass grade in English in one of the following examinations:
i. Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level);
ii. Hong Kong Higher Level Examination;
iii. CUHK Matriculation Examination;
iv. General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level)/Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level); or
4. achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination;
Note:
a. This is based on the understanding that English is the medium of instruction of degree programmes offered by universities in Hong Kong. Moreover, graduates from universities in Hong Kong should have fulfilled the English language requirements of the institution concerned when they were admitted to the degree programmes. The CUHKSZ Graduate School may request applicants to provide additional supporting documents to prove their English proficiency.
b. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT scores are considered valid for five years from the test date.
c. GMAT (Verbal) scores at or above the threshold value of 21 will be kept until the score validity phases out.
HUANG, Hsien-Da Presidential Chair Professor
✉ huanghsienda@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/120 | Hajime HIRAO Professor
✉ hirao@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/165 |
SUN, Hao Professor
✉ sunhao100@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/1118 | CHENG, Guijuan Associate Professor
✉ chengguijuan@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/168 |
ZHU, Lizhe Professor
✉ zhulizhe@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/171 | WANG, Yongfei Assistant Professor
✉ yfwang@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/733 |
CHIANG, Ying-Chih Assistant Professor
✉ chiangyc@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/176 | YU, Guangjun Professor (Clinical)
✉ guangjunyu@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://med.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/792 |
YU, Tianwei Professor
✉ yutianwei@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/69 | LIU, Jin Associate Professor
✉ liujinlab@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/832 |
ZHANG, David X.Q. Deng Presidential Chair Professor
✉ davidzhang@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/315 | CHEN, Xinyun Associate Professor
✉ chenxinyun@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/63 |
GUO, Zhenxing Assistant Professor
✉ guozhenxing@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/643 | FAN, Jicong Assistant Professor
✉ fanjicong@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/331 |
LI, Shuang Assistant Professor
✉ lishuang@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/472 | SHI, Jiasheng Assistant Professor
✉ shijiasheng@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/966 |
SONG, Fangda Assistant Professor
✉ songfangda@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/469 | WANG, Benyou Assistant Professor
✉ wangbenyou@cuhk.edu.cn 🔗 https://sds.cuhk.edu.cn/teacher/571 |
Normally Fall Admission Date is in August, and Spring Admission Date is in January.
The application deadline for Spring Admission is usually the end of October of the previous year, while the application deadline for Fall Admission is usually the end of May of the current year.
1. Contact the Intended Supervisor in advance.
2. Online application:
Please go to https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/
Please note that all original documents will be checked at the time of enrollment. Any misrepresentation in the documents and information provided will result in disqualification of their applications and subsequent enrollments in the University.
The tuition for both MPhil and PhD students is RMB140,000 per year. University or School may offer various kinds of financial supports to selected applicants:
| Scholarship Type | Offers | Remarks |
| Presidential Fellowship | After-tax stipend of RMB180,000/Year | To work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a total of four semesters (summer counts as one semester) during the fellowship period |
| PGS Scholarship I | A full tuition waiver | To serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) to earn monthly stipends |
| PGS Scholarship II | A half tuition waiver | The student may serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) to earn monthly stipends |
*The selection is based on merit and no separate application is required.