Biostatistics
The Graduate Program
Students may pursue graduate study in biostatistics through the Biostatistics Program, jointly administered by the Department of Biostatistics of the School of Public Health and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. As a joint effort, the program offers students the opportunity not only to gain expertise in mathematical statistics but also to specialize in the epidemiologic, medical, and bioscience applications of statistics. Students are required to take courses in both the Department of Mathematics & Statistics and the Department of Biostatistics.
The program offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Biostatistics and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics. The requirements for these programs are described below. Students may pursue these programs on a part- or full-time basis, although they must complete their programs within a specified period of time as required by the Graduate School. The program offers students the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: 1) clinical trials, 2) statistical genetics, and 3) observational studies.
The student who completes these programs will gain knowledge in probability, statistical inference and hypothesis testing, the design and conduct of experimental and epidemiological studies, statistical computation, and data analysis. Research interests of the faculty include multivariate analysis, survival analysis, medical statistics, clinical trials methodology, statistical genetics, robust statistics, longitudinal data analysis, time series, regression, estimation theory, and the design of experiments. Research assistantship and training grant positions are available on a competitive basis. Further information can be obtained from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, the School of Public Health Bulletin, and from the Directors, Biostatistics Program, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02118; 617-638-5207.
Requirements for Admission
All applications for admission are made through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Students entering the program are expected to have at least the equivalent of the Bachelor of Arts degree. At the time of application, previously completed coursework must include at least one year of calculus including multivariate calculus and one formal course in linear algebra. Applicants also must demonstrate competency in computer programming and elementary statistical methods. GRE scores are required from within 5 years of the application deadline, as well as TOEFL scores for international applicants. Required minimum scores for the TOEFL are 213 for the computer-based test, 550 for the paper-based test, or 84 for the internet-based test. GRS policy requires that applicants meet the minimum requirements of each section on the internet-based test: Reading—21; Listening—18; Speaking—23; Writing—22. Refer to the Graduate School Admissions website for exceptions on submitting TOEFL scores. Applicants who have not met the prerequisite coursework requirements, who have not submitted GRE scores by the application deadline, or whose TOEFL scores are below the minimum in any category will not be considered for admission.
Residency Requirement
The minimum residency requirement is the equivalent of two consecutive regular semesters of full-time graduate study at Boston University. Students who have completed their course requirements must register each subsequent regular semester as continuing students and pay the continuing student fee until they have completed all requirements for the degree. Upon written petition and appropriate cause, students will be allowed up to two semesters of leave of absence. For further information on leaves of absence, see the “Policies” section of this website. Students must be registered in both the semester in which the last degree requirements are completed and in the preceding semester.
