Computing for Medicine (C4M)

Computing for Medicine (C4M) Certificate Program

Coordinated jointly between the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the Department of Computer Science, the Computing for Medicine (C4M) Certificate Program provides the unique opportunity for first-year medical students to receive a comprehensive introduction to data science in the Python programming language.

Students in the program will gain experience using powerful tools to analyze time-series data, process images, train machine learning models, and create data visualizations. By the end of the program, students will come away with the skills and mindset needed to delve into tasks ranging from speech analysis to image classification. A one-time fee is required for this certificate, to be paid in full upon acceptance to the program. Financial support may be available.

Complete the online application form by October 27, 2025 if you are interested in joining this program. Please note a minimum enrolment of 20 participants is required for the program to proceed. Applicants will be notified if the program is not running.

Student Experience

Shubh's experience in the C4M Certificate Program

I always had a deep curiosity about coding and computer science. This interest grew during a bioinformatics project during my undergraduate studies where I realized my lack of understanding of the code's foundations was holding me back. When I came across the C4M Program, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to gain a structured and relevant education in this area. 

Balancing the C4M coursework with the demands of my MD program seemed challenging at first, but the program was thoughtfully designed to fit seamlessly into my schedule. Assignments were due during less busy periods, and with lectures just once a week, I could easily dedicate a few hours afterward to complete assignments. This pacing allowed me to steadily absorb and apply new concepts without feeling overwhelmed.

Completing the C4M certificate has been incredibly beneficial. Before the program, I didn't know where to start with machine learning and AI in medical research. Now, I have a solid foundation that has enabled me to embark on exciting new projects. I'm currently collaborating with scientists at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre on a machine learning project to advance the diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease. This progress from beginner to active contributor in a high-impact research project highlights the program's effectiveness.

Dr. Mariakakis, in particular, was an exceptional teacher. Despite my minimal coding background, he explained complex concepts in simple terms, making the learning process smooth and enjoyable. His availability and support were invaluable throughout the course. The C4M Certificate Program didn't just teach me to code; it transformed my approach to medical research. It opened doors to innovative collaborations and advanced methodologies. I'd highly recommend this program for any medical student eager to integrate computing skills into their practice!

Emma's experience in the C4M Certificate Program

I was drawn to this program as I have a background in math and engineering with some experience in coding from my undergraduate course work; I am very familiar with a lot of the program architecture and problem solving methods for these subjects but had very little experience with medically based programming problems. I felt it would be helpful to complete this certificate program to apply what I learned to research activities in medical school. I also wanted to learn more about how machine learning is used in medicine currently to get a better understanding of how it may impact my future career as a provider and to build a foundational understanding that I can add to as I progress throughout my career.

Personally, this program helped me carve out time to study a subject I have not had the time or opportunity to do since finishing my previous degree. I enjoy programming and the architecture of machine learning and was very excited to participate in this course.

This course has helped me to review and solidify my foundational knowledge of programming, and has added a medical perspective to it that I was never exposed to previously in my undergrad education. It has also helped me to understand newer architectures of machine learning that are currently being applied to medical research problems and helped me to gain some understanding of how these algorithms might be used in the future of practice.

The instructor, Dr. Alex Mariakakis, is extremely supportive of peoples differing learning styles. He is very accessible for help over email, and is happy to discuss both lecture related coding questions and non-lecture related coding questions during class/over email.  I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in having a deeper understanding of programming and how it will affect the practice of medicine.

Questions & Additional Information

If you have any questions about the C4M material or if this program is the right fit for you, please contact the Program Instructor, Professor Alex Mariakakis.

For inquiries about the certificate and fees, please email c4m.md@utoronto.ca.