A graduate academic program in medical information science has been established at the University of California, San Francisco, for the education of scientists capable of performing research and development in information technology in the health care setting. This interdisciplinary program, leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree, consists of an introductory series of courses in medical information, computer sciences, medical systems analysis, and measurement and evaluation, followed by advanced course work and dissertation research. Students are conducting dissertation research on a variety of problems arising from the proliferation of medical knowledge and the increased need for management of medical data. Faculty and student research is supported by a Laboratory of Medical Information Science, an on-line computer facility which acts as an institutional focus for work on medical information systems. Work in progress includes systems for pharmacy management and utilization review, studies on human factors in information systems, and analysis of clinical decision-making. (Author)