MS in Biostatistics

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

  • Baccalaureate Field
    • A major in the biological, physical, or social sciences is preferred.
    • MS in Biostatistics students applying to the concentration in Health Analytics must have completed four math courses in algebra and calculus. Exceptions may be granted for applicants with relevant work experience or high-level academic achievements. Exceptions may be admitted with an individually documented plan of study to compensate for deficiencies, although applicants are strongly encouraged to satisfy all deficiencies prior to matriculation.
  • Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00.
  • Tests Required GRE General. For GRE General Tests, the combined verbal and quantitative scores must be at least 300.
  • Minimum English Competency Test Score
    • TOEFL iBT 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21, OR,
    • IELTS Academic 6.5, with 6.0 in each of the four subscores, OR,
    • PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
  • Letters of Recommendation Three required.
  • Personal Statement Required; the statement should address the applicant’s intended research, career goals, and reason for pursuing the MS degree.
  • Other Requirements Students must have earned a grade of B or above in both Calculus I and Calculus II. 

Degree Requirements

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required: 47
  • Coursework: At least 32 semester hours must be in courses other than IPHS 598 and at least 9 semester hours must be at the 500 level. No more than 4 hours of IPHS 596 may be applied to the degree.

School-Wide Requirements 

School of Public Health Core Requirements
EPID 403
Introduction to Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
IPHS 520
Foundations of Public Health
Required Non-Credit Training
Human Subjects Training
Title IX Training
SPH Academic Integrity Tutorial

Divisional Core Requirements

MS in Biostatistics

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements and the School of Public Health core requirements, students must complete the following divisional requirements to reach 47 semester hours.

Biostatistics Divisional Core Requirements
BSTT 506
Design of Clinical Trials
or BSTT 507
 Sampling and Estimation Methods Applied to Public Health
BSTT 523
Biostatistics Methods I
BSTT 524
Biostatistics Laboratory
BSTT 527
Statistical Learning in Health Analytics
BSTT 535
Categorical Data Analysis
BSTT 536
Survival Analysis
BSTT 537
Longitudinal Data Analysis
BSTT 550
Biostatistical Investigations
BSTT 510
Biostatistics Theory I
BSTT 511
Biostatistics Theory II
Electives
A minimum of 8 semester hours of electives. BSTT 400, BSTT 401, and BSTT 505 are not suitable electives.

MS in Biostatistics, Concentration in Health Data Science

In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements and the School of Public Health core requirements, students must complete the following divisional requirements to reach 48 semester hours.

Health Data Science Divisional Core Requirements
BSTT 426
Health Data Analytics Using Python Programming
BSTT 494
Introductory Special Topics in Biostatistics
BSTT 523
Biostatistics Methods I
BSTT 525
Biostatistics Methods II
BSTT 527
Statistical Learning in Health Analytics
BSTT 528
Machine Learning in Health Analytics
BSTT 529
Health Analytics Investigations
BSTT 535
Categorical Data Analysis
STAT 401
Introduction to Probability
STAT 411
Statistical Theory
Electives (Recommended Courses)
BSTT 536
Survival Analysis
BSTT 537
Longitudinal Data Analysis
One additional elective
  • Students will complete the MS in Biostatistics, Health Data Science concentration through coursework only. The course BSTT 529 measures the main competency of Health Data Science concentration. This course includes a comprehensive investigation of either a large or sparse complex health data set that will require application of numerous health analytics methods with an emphasis on public health research applications.
  • A final comprehensive written report is needed to complete the program. At least two faculty members from the division will evaluate the final report.

Other Requirements

  • Comprehensive Examination: Required for MS in Biostatistics; None for MS in Biostatistics, Concentration in Health Data Science
  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only
    • Biostatistics students complete the program through coursework only.
    • Biostatistics students in the Health Data Science concentration complete the program through coursework and a final comprehensive project in BSTT 529.