Doctoral Minor in Biostatistics

The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health offers a PhD Minor in Biostatistics that teaches advanced statistical analysis that goes beyond the competencies required by most PhD programs. People who possess these special health-focused analytical and database management skills are in high demand due to the value they add to research projects.

The doctoral minor in biostatistics is comprised of a minimum of 12 credits and serves as a useful complement to many major areas of study. You will learn both the theoretical concepts that underlie the scientific method and how to apply these concepts to perform effective data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results.

This minor emphasizes the design and analysis of experimental and observational studies, the theory of probability and statistics, and statistical computing, making it particularly valuable to students in health-related doctoral programs. The minor is ideal for students from many schools, including the IU schools of Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, Health and Rehabilitative Sciences, and Public and Environmental Affairs.

Students who wish to obtain a doctoral minor from the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health must earn a grade of “B” or better in the coursework for the minor. Courses in which a grade of “B-” or lower is earned will not apply toward completion of the minor. Faculty in the department of biostatistics will serve as advisors for students choosing this minor.

Curriculum

The discipline of biostatistics is growing in national and international importance, is integral to many areas of pursuit, enhances analytic and databased management skills that are desirable for many doctoral level research projects, offers population-based research perspectives, offers skills that are of interest to the private and public sectors, and formally acknowledges the quantitative course work that doctoral students often take as electives through the Department of Biostatistics.

Students who pursue a minor in biostatistics will complement their major area of study with concepts underlying the scientific method and applications of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results. The minor in biostatistics emphasizes the design and analysis of experimental and observational studies, theory of probability and statistics, and statistical computing.

The curriculum for the PhD Minor in Biostatistics provides students with a rigorous grounding in the application of biostatistics in health-related research. This minor requires a strong quantitative aptitude and an interest in biomedical and public health applications.

The student’s minor advisor will monitor satisfactory completion of the requirements for the minor in biostatistics. Doctoral students must notify the Fairbanks School of Public Health before beginning their course of study for the minor.

Our associate director of graduate affairs, Shawne Mathis, is available to meet with you virtually or in-person.