Course Requirements

Eight semester courses (32 credits) distributed as follows.

Six core courses:

• CAS MA 581 Probability or MET MA 581 Probability
• CAS MA 582 Mathematical Statistics or MET MA 582 Mathematical Statistics
• CAS MA 575 Linear Models
• SPH EP 713 Introduction to Epidemiology
• SPH BS 805 Intermediate Statistical Computing and Applied Regression Analysis
• SPH BS 852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology)

The two remaining courses selected from the core courses or the designated biostatistics/epidemiology courses listed below.

Students must earn a grade of B- or better in all courses applied to the MA.

Qualifying Examination

The candidate must satisfactorily pass two comprehensive written examinations demonstrating proficiency in the material covered in the six core courses. Students are allowed two attempts to pass a qualifying exam. The Biostatistics Qualifying Exam Committee will evaluate requests by students to take an exam for the third time on a case-by-case basis.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in reading the biostatistical literature in at least one foreign language. International students may use English to fulfill the language requirement. Students who have not previously completed at least two years of study in foreign language at the undergraduate level or the equivalent must make up the deficiency through coursework or examination.

MA Curriculum

Program Courses in Biostatistics

Descriptions are given under departmental listing or in the School of Public Health Bulletin, which may be obtained from Admissions, School of Public Health, Boston University, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118.

Core Courses (required)

• CAS MA 575 Linear Models
• CAS MA 581 Probability
• CAS MA 582 Mathematical Statistics
• SPH EP 713 Introduction to Epidemiology
• SPH BS 805 Intermediate Statistical Computing and Applied Regression Analysis
• SPH BS 852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology

Biostatistics Courses (any two)

• CAS MA 576 Generalized Linear Models
• CAS MA 583 Introduction to Stochastic Processes
• CAS MA 584 Multivariate Statistical Analysis
• CAS MA 585 Time Series Modeling and Forecasting
• CAS MA 586 The Design of Experiments
• CAS MA 587 Sampling Design: Theory and Methods
• CAS MA 588 Nonparametric Statistics
• CAS MA 685 Advanced Topics in Statistics
• GRS MA 751 Advanced Statistical Methods II
• GRS MA 882 Seminar: Statistics
• SPH BS 722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
• SPH BS 735 Quantitative Methods in Public Health Surveillance
• SPH BS 775 Applications of Advanced Statistical Methods in Clinical Research
• SPH BS 790 Data Management in Public Health Research
• SPH BS 810 Meta-analysis for Public Health and Medical Research
• SPH BS 820 Logistic Regression/Survival Analysis
• SPH BS 821 Categorical Data Analysis
• SPH BS 822 Advanced Statistical Computing
• SPH BS 830 Design and Analysis of Microarry Experiments
• SPH BS 845 Applied Statistical Modeling and Prog. in R
• SPH BS 850 Advanced Statistical Methodology for the Computational Biosciences
• SPH BS 851 Applied Statistics in Clinical Trials I
• SPH BS 853 Generalized Linear Models with Applications
• SPH BS 855 Bayesian Modeling for Biomedical Research
• SPH BS 857 Analysis of Correlated Data
• SPH BS 858 Statistical Genetics I
• SPH BS 859 Applied Genetic Analysis
• SPH BS 860 Statistical Genetics II
• SPH BS 861 Applied Statistics in Clinical Trials II

Count as Biostatistics Courses with Advisor Permission

• GRS MA 781 Estimation Theory
• GRS MA 782 Hypothesis Testing
• GRS MA 861 Mathematical and Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics
• SPH EP 813 Intermediate Epidemiology

One of the following three:

• SPH BS 854 Modern Epidemiology
• SPH EP 855 Design Issues in Epidemiology
• SPH EP 856 Selected Topics in Epidemiological Methods

Limit 4 credits among the following two:

• SPH BS 901 Directed Study in Biostatistics
• SPH BS 902 Directed Research in Biostatistics