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, computational, economics, mathematical, physical, psychological, social, or statistical sciences is preferred.
    • MS in Biostatistics students applying to the concentration in Health Data Science 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 None. Standardized test scores are optional. Test scores are not required but will be considered if an applicant chooses to submit them.
  • 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 complete the following program requirements:

  • Minimum Semester Hours Required: 42
  • Coursework:
    • Generalist Program: School-wide requirements totaling 6 semester hours, at least 32 semester hours in divisional core courses, and the remaining hours in elective coursework. At least 9 semester hours must be at the 500 level. No more than 5 semester hours of IPHS 596 may be applied to the degree.
    • Health Data Science Concentration: School-wide requirements totaling 6 semester hours, and the remainder as specified in divisional core courses and electives.

School-Wide Requirements 

School of Public Health Core Requirements
Introduction to Epidemiology: Principles and Methods
Foundations and Determinants of Public Health
Biostatistics I a
Required Non-Credit Training
Human Subjects Training
Title IX Training
SPH Academic Integrity Tutorial
a

BSTT 400 is not required for students in the MS in Biostatistics, Generalist Concentration or the MS in Biostatistics, Health Data Science Concentration.

Divisional Core Requirements

MS in Biostatistics, Generalist Program

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 42 semester hours.

Biostatistics Divisional Core Requirements
Design of Clinical Trials
Sampling and Estimation Methods Applied to Public Health
Biostatistics Methods I
Biostatistics Laboratory
Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Data Science
Categorical Data Analysis
Survival Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Biostatistical Investigations
Biostatistics Theory I
Biostatistics Theory II
Electives
A minimum of 4 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 42 semester hours.

Health Data Science Divisional Core Requirements
Python for Data Science and Large Language Models
Biostatistics Theory I
Biostatistics Theory II
Biostatistics Methods I
Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Data Science
Machine Learning in Health Analytics
Health Analytics Investigations
Categorical Data Analysis
Electives
Students must take a minimum of 8 semester hours in electives. BSTT 400, BSTT 401, and BSTT 505 are not suitable electives.
Recommended Courses:
Survival Analysis
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Artificial Intelligence

Other Requirements

  • Thesis, Project, or Coursework-Only Options: Coursework only.
    • Biostatistics students in the Generalist Program and Health Data Science Concentration complete the program through coursework only.