Biostatistics
Fundamental to public health research and policy, biostatistics is also one of the most interdisciplinary departments at Boston University. By designing studies, developing new methodologies, and extracting and analyzing information from data, we help inform decisions to promote better health.
The Department of Biostatistics staff and faculty participate in interdisciplinary master’s and doctoral degrees. The department co-directs the Master of Public Health (MPH) Functional Certificate in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and houses the Master of Science (MS) in Applied Biostatistics through the School of Public Health (SPH), as well as the Master of Science (MS) in Biostatistics and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics, jointly administered by the Department of Biostatistics at SPH and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS). The MS in Applied Biostatistics provides students with comprehensive training in biostatistical methods and real-world experience through rotations and internships. The MS and PhD in Biostatistics offer students the opportunity not only to gain expertise in mathematical statistics but also to specialize in the epidemiologic, medical, and bioscientific applications of statistics.
Biostatistics faculty members are internationally recognized for methodological innovations in clinical trials and observational studies, statistical genetics analysis, and Bayesian methods. They have a long history of collaborating to address some of the world’s most pressing public health concerns, as well as training the next generation of students to tackle emerging public health and medical issues with cutting-edge methods and technological skills.
Faculty research projects include determining risk factors for cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and others; maternal and child health; healthy aging and longevity; clinical and health services research in HIV; tuberculosis and other infectious diseases; the effects of substance use on mental and physical health; Gulf War illness; DNA sequencing; and Superfund research on the impact of hazardous waste sites on community health.
In teaching our students, we emphasize the statistical aspects of research, integration of statistical theory, methodology, and practice in biomedical research, including study design, data management, and statistical analysis, as well as communicating the results in a meaningful way.
