The Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics offers the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Biostatistics-Decision Science with concentrations in Biostatistics and in Decision Science. The program prepares graduates for positions in academic settings, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and healthcare organizations.

Upon admission to the Ph.D. program, a Program of Study will be developed for each student by the Graduate Coordinator and approved by the Department Chair. Decisions regarding additional coursework will be made by the student’s assigned faculty dissertation advisor and such courses will become part of the Program of Study. This approach will give maximum flexibility for addressing differing student qualifications and interests and for ensuring that pertinent courses are taken.

Upon completion of the required coursework for the Ph.D., the student will be eligible to sit for the Doctoral Qualifying Exam. Successful completion of the exam will admit the student to doctoral candidacy. A doctoral candidate then must successfully develop and defend a Dissertation Proposal that describes an original, independent research project. Upon successfully completing the Doctoral Qualifying Exam and Dissertation Proposal, the student may proceed with dissertation research under the mentorship of a member of the Senior Faculty. Students who are in the process of completing a dissertation will be required to successfully defend their dissertation to the satisfaction of the members of their dissertation committee, which is chaired by a senior member of the Graduate Faculty and approved by the Graduate School Dean. Upon successful defense of the Dissertation, the student will be awarded the Ph.D. degree.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Graduate application;
• Non-refundable application fee;
• At least two letters of recommendation written within past twelve months;
• GRE Quantitative section score;
• All postsecondary transcripts (may require foreign credential evaluation if not from accredited US institution);
• Statement of goals and desired concentration;
• TOEFL score may be required if English is not native language and no degree from accredited US institution.

Curriculum Minimum Requirements

33 Total Credit Hours (beyond a master’s degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a related discipline):

• 24 credit hours of required coursework
• 9 credit hours of dissertation research

Coursework for Concentration in Biostatistics

In addition to the above required courses, at least six (6) credit hours of electives must be taken from the following list. The student’s Program of Study will specify the courses to be taken.

Coursework for Concentration in Decision Science

In addition to the above required courses, at least 12 credit hours of electives must be taken from the above electives list. The student’s Program of Study will specify the courses to be taken.

Dissertation work may be started upon successful completion of Doctoral Qualifying Examinations. Dissertation research may be credited at no more than nine (9) hours per semester (six (6) hours during summer semester) as PHDA 777.

Chair and Professor
Rudolph S. Parrish, Ph.D.

Professors
Somnath Datta, Ph.D.

Associate Professors
Susmita Datta, Ph.D.
L. Jane Goldsmith, Ph.D.
Shesh Rai, Ph.D.
Dongfeng Wu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors
Guy Brock, Ph.D.
Maiying Kong, Ph.D.
Steven J. McCabe, M.D., M.Sc.
John A. Myers, Ph.D.
Jae Keun (Peter) Yoo, Ph.D.