About the Academic Track

The MSc in Healthcare Information Systems at Soliman International University is designed for information systems professionals, healthcare administrators, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals, as well as healthcare support personnel who wish to increase their knowledge regarding the use of health information to improve quality, safety, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of delivering Healthcare.

Objectives

Leadership: The Health Care Information Systems Academic Track at the Faculty of Economics and Management at International Suleiman University seeks continuous development through research and creativity for excellence in the field of health management education.
Educational Environment and Teaching Quality: We offer internationally accredited teaching curricula and through qualified faculty members in a distinctive and quality learning environment that harnesses competence and leadership qualities in the health care services industry
Ensure curriculum and research: The academic track provides an environment that encourages systematic effort and contribution to health care and disciplines specific bodies of knowledge

Community Service:

The academic track will create opportunities in community service for medical sciences and promote healthy relationships between the college and the community
Communicating with alumni: Continuous communication and support for alumni through guidance and counseling so that the learning mission of the academic track is completed

Study System

● The student studies eight courses, distributed as follows:
√ Six compulsory courses.
√ Two elective courses from among the courses offered by the college for master’s students.
● The study is conducted through research seminars in each course. The research seminar is based on multiple references and is in accordance with the methodology and standards of scientific research.
● The study of each of the eight courses takes four credit hours for a minimum of four weeks and may exceed that according to each student’s abilities. After that, the student’s competency and knowledge test is held in the course he completed, then he begins another course in the same manner, and so on.
● The student is assigned a hypothetical course that the college chooses from among the courses that the student has studied at the undergraduate level, and this is considered a practical training for the student to be evaluated with ten credit hours. The student must divide this course from twelve to fourteen brief lectures. The student presents each lecture in the form of a written summary of its topic in Word or PDF format, accompanied by a video recording of it in the student’s voice using the Power Point program, with a duration of not less than ten minutes and not more than About twenty minutes.
● Study courses in the first year, the student has the right to extend the study for a period not exceeding a second year.

The requirements for obtaining a master’s degree in various disciplines are sixty credit hours according to the study plan approved by the University Council, and these requirements are distributed according to the following programs:
1- Research courses of thirty-two credit hours.
2- A scientific thesis with eighteen credit hours.
3- A practical training of ten credit hours.

Requirements for registering a thesis topic for a master’s degree
● The student must pass the stipulated courses with a score of at least 70%.
● The student obtained a TOEFL certificate of at least 450, or its equivalent, or obtained an equivalent certificate in the French language, with the exception of those who obtained a first university degree in one of the two languages, or in one of the two languages.
● The student submits a request to the university administration to register a master’s thesis with a proposed topic in one of the subspecialty tracks.
● If the initial approval of the subject title is achieved, the college council will designate a supervisor to guide and follow up the student in preparing the plan.
● The research plan includes the importance of the topic and a critical presentation of previous studies in it, specifically the research problem, then defining the study’s curriculum and its main hypotheses or questions that you want to answer, and the division of the study and its sources.
● The student presents his proposed plan in a scientific seminar, discussing the plan as a topic and an approach.
● The student adjusts his plan based on the professors’ observations in the seminar if he is asked to amend.
● After the seminar, the plan is presented to the college council to take its decision regarding the registration of the subject.
● In the event of approval, the College Council’s decision is presented to the University Council to approve the registration, and the registration date is calculated from the date of the University Council’s approval.

Jury discussion and award of degree
● The minimum for preparing a master’s thesis is nine months, starting from the date of approval by the University Council to register the subject, and the maximum is two years, which can be extended for a third exceptional year upon the recommendation of the supervisor and the approval of the College Council, provided that the total period of student enrollment in the degree does not exceed four years.
● The supervisor submits a semi-annual report that includes what has been accomplished and what is required in the remaining period.
● After the student completes the thesis and the supervisor reviews it, the supervisor submits to the university administration a report stating its validity for discussion, including an evaluation of the student’s performance during the preparation period of the thesis of 140 degrees, with a full copy of the thesis signed by him, and a letter with the names of the discussion and judgment committee proposed by the professors of the specialty, for presentation to the college Council.
● At least fifteen days must pass before the student’s discussion from the date of the approval of the discussion committee by the college.
● The validity period of the committee formed to discuss the thesis is six months, which may be renewed for a similar period based on a report from the supervisor and the approval of the College Council.
● Each member of the committee writes a detailed scientific report on the validity of the thesis for discussion, and the thesis is evaluated out of 420 degrees, and the average of the three degrees is taken.
The student may not be discussed unless he/she gets at least 70% of the supervisor’s evaluation of his performance and the committee members’ evaluation of the message in the individual reports.
● A group report is submitted after the discussion, signed by all members of the committee, in which an evaluation of the thesis discussion is given on a scale of 140 degrees.

The thesis is passed after public discussion with one of the ratings shown in the following table:

Percentage of gradespointsappreciation symbolAppreciation
ArabicEinglish
95 to 100%4A+A+Prominent
90 to less than 95%7 , 3aA
85 to less than 90%3 , 3b+BVery well
80 to less than 85%3BB
75 to less than 80%7 , 2c+C+Good
70 to less than 75%3 , 2cC

After the college approves the student’s results, the master’s degree is awarded at a rate calculated from the average total of the courses and thesis grades.
After obtaining the approval of the University Council to grant a master’s degree to the student, he is entitled to obtain insured certificates, authenticated by the university, stating that he obtained that degree, in order to present them to the various authorities.

Study Duration

The duration of study to obtain a master’s degree in business and management is two years as a minimum, and six years as a maximum.
In the first year, the student studies at least eight subjects, and the study is through research seminars for each course. The research seminar is based on multiple references and is in accordance with the scientific research methodology and standards.
In the second year, the student attends a general seminar for the topic of the thesis, which he will prepare and submit for discussion
The general seminar is discussed by the scientific committee at the university, and the title of the thesis is approved
The student works to complete his thesis under the supervision of the supervisor decided by the Presidency of the University based on the proposal of the Dean of the Faculty
The student completes his scientific thesis and submits for discussion before the committee formed by the Presidency of the University in a public session and completes the conditions for a master’s degree
Courses of study in the first year The student has the right to extend the study in it for a period not exceeding a second year
The thesis prepared by the student during a period of time not less than 9 months and not exceeding two years

Conditions for success and graduation

1) The student is considered to have passed any of the program’s courses if he achieves a final score of no less than 65%. He is also considered successful in the master’s project if he obtains a mark (granted by the judging committee) not less than 75%.
After the student presents the results of his project before the committee, and discusses its technical content.
2) The student is not entitled to submit to discuss his thesis until a scientific research is published in an approved refereed journal.
3) The student obtains a master’s degree certificate after he has fulfilled all the scientific requirements for this degree.

Academic Track Structure
8 courses = 32 credit hours,
 practical training = 10 credit hours
 Master's thesis = 18 credit hours
Courses
Practical Training
Master's Thesis

Compulsory Courses

Scientific Research Methodology

Course Code: MBA101
Credit Hours: 3.00

The course includes scientific research methods related to defining scientific research and clarifying its importance, types, steps and methods. It also deals with the sources and methods of data collection and methods of data analysis, as well as methods of sampling and estimation, and all statistical methods that can be used in the processes of analysis and scientific research in the fields of economics and management.

Healthcare database systems

Course Code: HIS102
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course helps students to think critically about how to conceptualize and model databases, and to use query languages ​​to manipulate databases to obtain information that can assist managers in making decisions. The course takes a data-driven, transaction-based (OLTP) view that is embedded in the larger processing view. The course is based on reading assignments, problem-solving exercises and case exercises. At the end of the course, students should be able to extend their learning to new areas and applications and transfer their knowledge in databases.

Healthcare Information Security

Course Code: HIS103
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course covers the organizational, technical, and organizational aspects of privacy and security in healthcare settings. Information security in health care is regulated by a complex set of federal and state laws and regulations, technical cybersecurity requirements and executive management decisions on dealing with information technology risks and training of the security workforce. Introducing students to this important area requires that all three security settings be addressed and combined to illustrate how organizational, technical, and regulatory factors affect information security and compliance.

The reality of healthcare data

Course Code: HIS104
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course includes many important aspects of health care analytics, processes, and tools that can be used. Data generated via Health Information Technology (HIT) can help organizations gain much deeper insight into their performance compared to previous technologies (or lack of technologies) allowed. However, this is not easy. Healthcare organizations face the risk of information overload as nearly every step of healthcare becomes computerized and data is generated. This includes not only data generated from electronic health records (EHR) and patient portals, but also medical devices, equipment tracking and scheduling systems, laboratory systems, and many more. This course looks at many ways to centralize and analyze a large amount of data in order to harness the overwhelming power of this information to make better decisions.
Software: Tableau, IBM Watson Analytics

HealthCare Information Systems

Course Code: HIS105
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course introduces students to the concepts of health, the organization and delivery of health services, and the role and impact of health informatics and health systems in health care. Population and medical models of health, concepts of population health and population health management, and the role of policy, financing, and quality initiatives are explored in the context of stakeholder analysis. A review of metrics, metrics, and public data sources emphasizes the assessment and application of health information technology, data analytics, and health informatics to improve health and delivery of health care.

HealthCare Information Systems

Course Code: HIS106
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course will introduce students to health care information systems, their use and applications in clinical practice and research. It will explore the many aspects of health information technology (HIT) used in the clinical context by examining challenges to information collection, use, and application in healthcare settings. It will cover a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, electronic health records, clinical decision support systems, privacy, telemedicine, health information exchange, personal health records and associated terminology and factors for successful implementation in clinical settings. The course will also cover the potential value of these systems for delivering care and quality, as well as considerations for return on investment. It will explore aspects of system design and selection,
Software: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) System Software

Elective Courses

Technological architectures, data and healthcare standards

Course Code: HIS151
Credit Hours: 3.00

The course integrates the key issues and technologies surrounding technical infrastructure and data engineering in health informatics, and the role of information standards and ontology in health care.

Legal and ethical aspects of health care

Course Code: HIS152
Credit Hours: 3.00


This course introduces the student to the study of legal and ethical principles related to patient care and health information. legal terminology and procedures; Court systems and the responsibility of health care providers. The legal and regulatory requirements that govern policies designed to protect and preserve health information will be explored. Students will explore legal and ethical issues by applying problem-solving and decision-making models to selected case studies.

Healthcare project management

Course Code: HIS153
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course studies the distinctive characteristics of IT projects and introduces a variety of related technologies. The course includes project manager functions such as managing scope, time, quality and cost.
After this course, students will be able to understand the critical issues involved in managing IT projects, manage key areas of an IT project as defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) at the Project Management Institute (PMBOK), and create a comprehensive information system statement. Project work (SOW), tracking and controlling IT project implementation using earned value analysis techniques, understanding the key elements involved in project closure, applying core concepts and principles of project quality and process management such as the Capacity Maturity Model (CMM) framework and assessment, and understanding key concepts To manage agile projects, working effectively in a team to plan, control and complete the project.
Program: Microsoft Project 2022

Foundations of health management and referrals

Course Code: HIS154
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course includes the basic knowledge and skills necessary for graduates to successfully contribute and advance in the field of healthcare informatics and analytics including: a) the health and healthcare landscape, health informatics and the healthcare industry, b) the fundamentals of multidisciplinary collaborative management/administrative process in a healthcare environment, c) Essential skills to prepare evidence-based health IT reports and worksheets, present key quantitative data and qualitative information, and be understood by various stakeholders, and d) Professional aspiring health IT roles. All course topics will reflect the culturally and disciplinaryly diverse environment of healthcare, in particular, health informatics and analytics. The course is designed to enhance learning through experiential exercises. The exercises are designed to provide you with an opportunity to practice new strategies and tactics in a low-risk environment. In addition, you will learn more about how you react in specific negotiating situations, and you will develop more effective response techniques. During the course you will receive feedback allowing you to adjust your skills. Furthermore the course is sequenced so that cumulative knowledge can be applied and practiced.

Quality Analytics and Outcomes

Course Code: HIS155
Credit Hours: 3.00

This course will introduce students to the methods used to assess quality of care using outcome data, and to understand and evaluate studies involving health care outcomes. Students are exposed to hospital quality assessment mechanisms and are challenged to evaluate the medical and health services research literature on health care quality and outcome assessments. This course introduces the student to several aspects of health analytics. We investigate data cleansing and transformation, supervised and unsupervised data mining techniques to investigate quality of care and health outcome measures.
Software: Excel, Rapidminer, R, Python

Consumer health information

Course Code: HIS156
Credit Hours: 3.00

Consumer health informatics is a field that aims to provide individual healthcare consumers, as well as their families and communities, with the information and tools they need to become more involved in their own health and care. This chapter will focus on health service-related consumer health informatics that addresses the intersection of patient, information technology, and health care practice. This view of informatics analyzes consumers’ needs for information; studies and implementation of methods for making information accessible to consumers; and modeling and integrating consumer preferences and capabilities (eg, health information literacy) into health information systems. This view also recognizes the changing expectations of healthcare consumers in managing their health using new models of care (eg.

stage-healthcare-industry

Degree: Master's Degree

Track code: BA109MA

Study method: Distance Learning

Credit hour: 60

How long it takes: 
Full time: 2 years
Part time: 4 years
Limit time: 6 years