Degree Programs
Doctor of Philosophy - Biostatistics
PhD in Biostatistics
The PhD in Biostatistics program at the IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health combines the rigorous theoretical training provided by IU Indianapolis’s Department of Mathematical Sciences and exceptional real-world research experience offered by our own Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science. Students benefit from a low student/faculty ratio that promotes close interaction with faculty and targeted guidance of research.
For individuals with a solid quantitative and analytical background and a strong interest in biological, medical and/or health-related sciences, the 90-credit program offers advanced training in biostatistics that can be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. Students will be well prepared to contribute to research, collaboration, and consulting across a broad spectrum of health and life science problems. The program emphasizes the theory and concepts underlying statistical methods, the interpretation of results from experimental, as well as observational studies, and the necessary practical skills to work in bioscience and health-related fields.
PhD Biostatistics curriculum
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:
Public Health core courses
Every student in the program is also required to complete a fundamental epidemiology course and introductory courses in public health for a total of six credits:
- PBHL-E 517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health
Required coursework
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-B 574 Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis*
- PBHL-B 582 Introduction to Clinical Trials
- PBHL-B 584 Biostatistics Practicum
*Indicates program core courses
Any four of the following:
- STAT-61900 Probability Theory
- STAT-62800 Advanced Statistical Inference
- PBHL-B 616 Advanced Statistical Computing
- PBHL-B 626 Advanced Likelihood Theory
- PBHL-B 636 Advanced Survival Analysis
- PBHL-B 646 Advanced Generalized Linear Models
- PBHL-B 656 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.
Transfer coursework
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.
Expired coursework
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.
Elective coursework
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.
PhD in Biostatistics competencies
The PhD in Biostatistics focuses on four core competencies that serve as a measure of growth and criteria for assessment.
- Demonstrate the skill of applying advanced biostatistical knowledge needed to collaborate with health sciences investigators.
- Develop an appropriate statistical analysis plan in order to address the hypothesis arising from biomedical research.
- Demonstrate ability to recognize methodological problems in biomedical research.
- Derive improved methods as solutions to methodologic problems.
Admissions
Students start the PhD program in the fall semester. The application deadline is January 15. It is strongly recommended that all transcripts be submitted no later than December 15 to allow sufficient time for the required transcript verification process.
Admission criteria
Any applicant who has a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution and shows promise for successfully completing all the degree requirements will be considered for admission to this program.
In addition to satisfying general Indiana University Graduate School requirements for admission, applicants must have at least a B (3.00 GPA) average in courses taken during the last two years of their earlier degree studies, and a grade of B+ (3.50 GPA) in courses required as prerequisites for the program.
Students entering this program should have a minimal mathematics background consisting of an undergraduate course sequence in univariate and multivariate calculus (equivalent to MATH 16500, 16600 and 26100 at IU Indianapolis) and a course in linear algebra (including matrix theory). In addition, applicants should have had a calculus-based undergraduate level course in probability or statistics. Prospective applicants who do not have this background must acquire it prior to admission to the program.
Fall semester application deadline: January 15
All required application documents must be submitted by the PhD program deadline. It is strongly recommended that all transcripts are submitted no later than December 15 to allow adequate time to verify transcripts.
Admission requirements
- Personal Statement
- Résumé
- Transcripts
- Recommendations
- Proof of English Proficiency (applicants whose native language is not English)
- Interview
International applicants
World Education Services (WES) ICAP evaluation of foreign academic credentials
The Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health requires all applicants with foreign academic credentials to provide a World Education Services (WES) ICAP course-by-course evaluation of those credentials. Applicants should submit their transcripts to WES at least one month in advance of the application deadline to ensure that the evaluation is completed in time.
Through special arrangements with SOPHAS, WES will deliver its credential evaluation report directly to SOPHAS by secure electronic transmission. This expedites the delivery of the evaluation report—as well as images of the applicant’s verified transcripts—to SOPHAS and allows SOPHAS to process the report most efficiently. Click here for more information.
U.S. applicants who have attended post-secondary institutions outside of the U.S. as part of a study-abroad program at a U.S. college or university do not need to provide a WES evaluation of their foreign coursework as long as it is noted on their U.S. transcript.
Updated: April 2024
