Biostatistics Degree Option for Statistics Students

The Biostatistics Degree Option (BDO) is a specialization within the Statistics MS/PhD Programs that is implemented jointly by the Departments of Statistics and of Biostatistics & Medical Informatics. Students pursue course work in the theory, methodology, and application of statistics. They focus on developments of statistics in biomedical sciences by taking additional biostatistics courses and (for the PhD) an approved biological sciences course, and they fulfill a total credit requirement by taking elective credits from a menu of relevant courses. MS students prove competency through an applied examination. PhD students pursue a faculty-mentored interdisciplinary collaborative research project and thereby become directly engaged in an active biomedical problem. Finally, PhD students pursue and defend original scholarly research in biostatistics. The program is staffed by faculty members in Statistics and/or in Biostatistics & Medical Informatics (BMI). Students are very often funded by BMI faculty methodological or collaborative research projects and work with BMI faculty for their thesis or dissertation research. A career in biostatistics offers exciting and challenging opportunities in clinical research, genetics, drug testing, and experimental design. Biostatisticians find themselves in demand in academia, government, and the private sector.

An overview and the requirements of the programs (PDF)

Additional program details can be found using the links to the Graduate Guide:

Biostatistics Degree Option for MS Students

Biostatistics Degree Option for PhD Students

How to Apply

All application information can be found on the Department of Statistics website.

Funding Opportunities

In addition to the financial support offered jointly by the BMI Department and the Department of Statistics, PhD students interested in Biostatistics who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for NIH traineeships. Students may also apply for fellowships and individual predoctoral traineeships from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).