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Master of Science in Biostatistics
The Master of Science (MS) degree prepares students for careers as professional biostatisticians in industry, government, or academia. Students in our program receive training in:
Data management and statistical computing
Modern descriptive, graphical, and inferential statistical methods, with focus on generating statistical results meaningful to lay audiences
Communication and collaboration with scientific investigators
Foundational statistical theory and basic research in statistical methodology
Both the Standard and Bioinformatics Tracks for the MS in Biostatistics are 33-credit hour programs, which can be completed in as few as three semesters. The Standard Track is offered both face-to-face and fully online, while the Bioinformatics track is face-to-face only. Students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in biostatistics are encouraged to declare for the Thesis Track and write and defend a thesis (not offered online; face-to-face only).
We accept students with bachelor's degrees in diverse fields, but background coursework in calculus (particularly multivariable calculus) is necessary for admission and successful completion of our curriculum. Consult our program document for more details.
Program Overview
The MS curriculum for the Standard and Thesis tracks cover probability, statistical theory, and biostatistical methods in the first year along with biostatistics concentration courses in clinical trials and categorical data analysis. The fall semester of the second year includes courses in survival analysis and elective biostatistics courses. The Thesis Track includes the preparation and defense of a thesis in the spring semester of the second year. Students in the Bioinformatics Track receive the same coursework in probability, mathematical statistics, and biostatistical methods, but take concentration courses in biochemistry, bioinformatics, advanced statistical computing, and data mining.
We encourage you to take a detailed look at the curriculum to get familiar with the MS degree. If you are interested in applying to the MS program, be sure to review our admission requirements. Feel free to send us an e-mail if you have any questions about our MS program.
The School of Public Health and Information Sciences is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. To learn more, visit the accreditation page.
