MPH: Biostatistics Concentration
The Master of Public Health program with a concentration in biostatistics provides the skills to design, analyze, and interpret the results of public health studies. Biostatistics students learn the quantitative skills to prepare them for collaboration in public health research and surveillance projects that will aid in prevention and treatment of diseases and development of public health policy. Biostatisticians provide expertise on the design, analysis, and interpretation of a wide range of studies, including clinical trials for new drugs and devices, epidemiological studies to identify risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, and observational studies for genetic and environmental risk factors for disease. Professionals with training in biostatistics are in tremendous demand, and that demand is expected to grow. The program emphasizes the statistical aspects of research, including study design, data management statistical analysis, and appropriate interpretation of statistical results. Through such courses as biostatistics, advanced regression analysis, and statistical computing, students learn the statistical applications important for public health and medical research. Graduates are prepared for further study or careers in research, project management, academia, or the private sector.
Concentration Requirements
All MPH students must complete SPH BS 704 or its equivalent to meet the MPH core course requirement in Biostatistics. This course does not count for concentration credit in Biostatistics.
All Biostatistics concentrators must take 16 credits in concentration courses and complete the Biostatistics Culminating Experience poster presentation, described below.
Biostatistics concentrators must take all three of the following courses in sequence. BS 805 and BS 852 cannot be taken concurrently without permission of the academic advisor.
- BS 723 Introduction to Statistical Computing, with a B or better
- BS 805 Intermediate Statistical Computing and Applied Regression Analysis
- BS 852 Statistical Methods for Epidemiology
And one course from among the following five:
- BS 722 Design and Conduct of Clinical Trials
- BS 820 Logistic Regression and Survival Analysis
- BS 821 Categorical Data Analysis
- BS 851 Applied Statistics in Clinical Trials I
- BS 858 Statistical Genetics I
Areas of Emphasis
In addition, MPH students may choose an optional emphasis area; see the concentration guide for more information. The emphasis areas are:
The remaining credits for the MPH in Biostatistics may be taken from any SPH BS course numbered 700 or above or from other SPH courses numbered 700 or above.
Culminating Experience
To complete the required MPH Culminating Experience, Biostatistics concentrators must participate in Biostatistics in Public Health Day, which is held once a semester. Students will create and present to the faculty and other students analyses of public health data, which have been prepared beyond coursework. Study questions will need to address issues relating to other fields within public health that concentrators have studied during their MPH training. Posters will contain their research question, analysis methods, and results. Students will be called upon to explain the above elements and their conclusions during the poster presentation.
