To complete this degree, you will take a combination of required biostatistics courses, public health courses, biostatistics elective courses, a doctoral minor, further elective courses, independent studies, and directed dissertation research that together total 90 credits. The specific distribution of courses is as follows:
PhD in Biostatistics curriculum
Every student in the program is also required to complete a fundamental epidemiology course and introductory courses in public health for a total of 6 credits:
- PBHL E517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- PBHL P510 Introduction to Public Health
Every student in the program is required to complete the following eight courses:
- STAT 51200 Applied Regression Analysis
- STAT 51900 Introduction to Probability*
- STAT 52500 Generalized Linear Model*
- STAT 52800 Mathematical Statistics I*
- STAT 53600 Introduction to Survival Analysis*
- PBHL B574 Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis*
- PBHL B582 Introduction to Clinical Trials
- PBHL B584 Biostatistics Practicum
*Indicates program core courses
Any four of the following:
- STAT 61900 Probability Theory
- STAT 62800 Advanced Statistical Inference
- PBHL B616 Advanced Statistical Computing
- PBHL B626 Advanced Likelihood Theory
- PBHL B636 Advanced Survival Analysis
- PBHL B646 Advanced Generalized Linear Models
- PBHL B656 Advanced Longitudinal Data Analysis
In addition, every student must take an additional six credit hours of statistics/biostatistics courses. At least three credit hours of these electives must be taken from 600-level courses or above.
The remaining 42 credit hours will be taken as additional coursework in a minor area (12 credits), further elective courses, independent studies, and directed dissertation research (at minimum 24 credits). This totals to 90 credit hours for the Biostatistics program. The minor may be completed in any area related to the health and life sciences disciplines, such as pharmacology and toxicology, epidemiology, genetics, biology, physiology, bioinformatics, health policy, translational science and health economics, among many others.
Candidates for the PhD degree may petition for up to 30 hours of graduate credit from other institutions. Students should submit the Petition for Approval of Transfer Course form to initiate the process and receive approval to apply a course completed at a different institution toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.
Normally, a course may not apply toward degree requirements if it was completed more than seven years prior to the passing of the preliminary examination. Students must submit the Petition For Course Revalidation form to initiate an appeal process and receive approval to apply an expired course toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.
Students must submit the Petition For Approval Of Elective Course form to initiate an appeal process and receive approval to apply a course completed in a different department toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.