• Description of Program
• Degree Requirements
• Special Opportunities
• Careers

Description of Program

The Biostatistics concentration prepares students to use applied biostatistics and the related data management/mining techniques to elucidate, predict, or infer significant causes or variables and their relationships to, and effects on, life related outcomes. Coursework is completed in experimental analysis and research design, multivariate statistical analysis, and other advanced statistical methodologies. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty and leaders in the community to apply research skills to practical projects related to public health

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 43 graduate credit hours is required for this program.  A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C– is required in each course. All electives for completing the degree must be approved by the advisor. Prerequisite courses may be prescribed for students lacking sufficient background for graduate study in public health.

Master of Public Health Degree Requirements (43 credits)

MPH Degree Common Course Requirements (22 credits)

Complete each of the following public health core courses (15 cr.):

• SPH-B 589 Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-E 651 Epidemiology (3 cr.)
• SPH-P 510 Organization and Administration of Public Health Programs (3 cr.)
• SPH-Q 501 (Formerly: HPER-T 591) Introduction to Statistics in Public Health (3 cr.)
• SPH-V 541 (Formerly: HPER-V 512) Environmental Health Science (3 cr.)

Complete each of the following required public health courses. (7 cr.):

• SPH-Q 696 (Formerly: HPER-C 644) Field Experience in Public Health (5 cr.) (prerequisite: GPA of at least 3.0)
• SPH-Q 698 (Formerly: HPER-C 650) MPH Culminating Experience (2 cr.)

Biostatistics Concentration (21 credits)

Complete each of the following courses (9 cr.):

• SPH-Q 601 (Formerly: HPER-T 693) Experimental Analysis and Design (3 cr.) (p: SPH-Q 501) or STAT-S 502 Statistical Methods I: Introduction to Statistics (3 cr.) (p: Instructor Permission)
• SPH-Q 602 (Formerly: HPER-T 694) Multivariate Statistical Analysis (3 cr.) (p: SPH-Q 501)
• SPH-Q 603 (Formerly: HPER-C 695) Categorical Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: SPH-Q 501) or STAT-S 503 Generalized Linear Models and Categorical Data (3 cr.) (p: STAT-S 501)

Complete six credits from the following list of courses (6 cr.):

• SPH-B 642 (Formerly: HPER-C 642) Operational Research in Public Health (3 cr.) (p: SPH-Q 501)
• SPH-Q 612 Survival Analysis (3 cr.)
• STAT-S 626 Bayesian Theory and Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of instructor)
• STAT-S 631 Applied Linear Models I (3 cr.) (p: STAT-S 520 and MATH-M 301 or M 303 or S 303, or equivalent courses, or consent of instructor)
• STAT-S 632 Applied Linear Models II (3 cr.) (p: STAT-S 631, or consent of instructor)
• STAT-S 637 Categorical Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of instructor. Course is equivalent to EDUC-Y 637.)
• STAT-S 639 Multilevel Models (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of instructor. Course is equivalent to EDUC-Y 639.)
• STAT-S 640 Multivariate Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of the instructor. Course is equivalent to PSY-P 654.)
• STAT-S 655 Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of the instructor. Course is equivalent to EDUC-Y 655.)
• STAT-S 660 Sampling (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of the instructor)
• STAT-S 670 Exploratory Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: Two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of the instructor)
• STAT-S 675 Statistical Learning and High-Dimensional Data Analysis (3 cr.) (p: STAT-S 640, or two statistics courses at the graduate level, or consent of the instructor)
• STAT-S 690 Statistical Consulting (3 cr.) (p: Consent of instructor)

Complete six credits of graduate level electives selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor. (6 cr.)

Special Opportunities

Degree programs in public health balance theoretical knowledge with professional experience through internships and opportunities to work with faculty on research, teaching, and service projects. The Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program is accredited by the Council for Education in Public Health (CEPH).

Careers

The public’s interest in healthy lifestyles and focus on prevention is increasing the demand for public health professionals. Public health careers can be found in research agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration; ministries of health; international health agencies; health services delivery organizations; local, state, and federal government; nonprofit organizations; businesses and corporations; hospitals; county health departments; and universities. A public health degree in Biostatistics can lead to career positions such as the following:

• Health Department Biostatistician
• Data Analyst
• Clinical Trials Supervisor
• Pharmaceuticals
• Project Designer
• Public Health Researcher
• Statistical Consulting Services