biostatistics phd stipend

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Offered By: Department of Biostatistics

Onsite | Full-Time | 5 years

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About the PhD in Biostatistics Program

The PhD in Biostatistics provides training in the theory of probability and statistics in biostatistical methodology. The program is unique in its emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and data science. Students complete rigorous training in real analysis-based probability and statistics, equivalent to what is provided in most departments of mathematical statistics and in advanced data science.

PhD candidates are required to pass a comprehensive written examination covering coursework completed at the end of their first year. Research leading to a thesis may involve development of new theory and methodology, or it may be concerned with applications of statistics and probability to problems in public health, medicine or biology.

Application Fee Waivers: We are able to offer a limited number of application fee waivers. Learn about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for a waiver .

PhD in Biostatistics Program Highlights

Conduct and publish original research.

on the theory and methodology of biostatistics

Apply innovative theory and methods

to the solution of public health problems

Serve as an expert biostatistician

on collaborative teams of investigators addressing key public health questions

Teach biostatistics effectively

to health professionals and scientists as well as to graduate students in biostatistics

What Can You Do With a PhD In Biostatistics?

Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries. We have over 750 global alumni working in academia, government, and industry.

Sample Careers and Next Steps

• Tenure Track Faculty (e.g. Assistant Professor)
• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Data Scientist
• Statistician
• Biostatistician
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Mathematical Statistician
• Principal Investigator

Curriculum for the PhD in Biostatistics

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue  and explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory .

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Coursework

Calculus and linear algebra; accepted applicants are also strongly encouraged to take real analysis before matriculating

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are  not required and not reviewed  for this program. If you have taken a standardized test such as the GRE, GMAT, or MCAT and want to submit your scores, please note that they will not be used as a metric during the application review.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all required application components.

Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative

The  Vivien Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI)  is an endowed fellowship program at Johns Hopkins for PhD students in STEM fields. It provides full tuition, stipend, and benefits while also providing targeted mentoring, networking, community, and professional development opportunities. Students who have attended a historically Black college and university (HBCU) or other minority serving institution (MSI) for undergraduate study are eligible to apply. To be considered for the VTSI, you will need to submit a SOPHAS application ,VTSI supplementary materials, and all supporting documents (letters, transcripts, and test scores) by December 1, 2024. VTSI applicants are eligible for an  application fee waiver , but the fee waiver must be requested by November 15, 2024 and prior to submission of the SOPHAS application.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants

Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help. 

Academic Administrator Mary Joy Argo 410-614-4454 [email protected]

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Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics .

The PhD in Biostatistics trains students in cutting edge data analysis techniques, statistical theory, and effective collaborative skills for biomedical and public health research. The program is jointly administered by the Department of Biostatistics at the School of Public Health in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Our graduates are prepared for a career as a professional, academic, or industrial biostatistician in biomedical or epidemiologic sciences.

Our students work in research teams committed to performing innovative and impactful research in areas such as statistical genetics and genomics, clinical trials, big data analytics, machine learning and AI with applications in areas such as health equity, substance use disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia, infectious diseases, and cancer.

Our students enjoy a student-focused supportive training environment based in a highly productive and collaborative research environment. We are committed to engaging in research to improve health equity and support underserved communities. We are embedded in Boston Medical Center, the largest safety net hospital in New England and a part of the Boston University School of Public Health with a commitment to improving the health of all.

Program Directors:

• Kathryn Lunetta
• Laura White

Program Elements

Students entering with a bachelor's degree must complete a total of 64 credits (16 classes). Students entering with a master's degree must complete at least 32 credits (8 classes).

It is expected that students take courses from both the Biostatistics Department in the School of Public Health and the Mathematics & Statistics Department in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Qualifying Exams

Upon completion of coursework, each student must pass two Qualifying Examinations . One is focused on applied material and the other is focused on more theoretical topics.

Teaching Opportunities

All students are required to TA at least once during their time as a PhD student. Opportunities to teach outside of this are available to our PhD students.

Dissertation

The dissertation work must address a relevant question in statistical methodology and pose a new approach, extend an existing approach, or provide novel application of an existing method. When the dissertation is completed, the candidate defends his or her work before the dissertation committee. More information about the dissertation requirements is available in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Bulletin .

Students admitted to the PhD program (post-master or post-bachelor) in Biostatistics at Boston University as a full-time student will receive five years of financial-aid in the form of fellowship or assistantship support. The financial-aid package will consist of a stipend as well as a scholarship to cover tuition, mandatory fees, and individual basic health insurance. A student will typically be appointed as a Doctoral Research Assistant (RA).

Doctoral Research Assistantship

Eligibility (RA): All eligibility requirements for admission must be met. All qualified PhD applicants (international as well as domestic students) who intend to pursue their education as a full-time student are eligible to receive financial aid through Doctoral Research Assistantship .

How to apply (RA): Eligible individuals who are interested in being considered for Doctoral Research Assistantship must complete the standard online application for the PhD program in Biostatistics by December 1. No separate application for financial aid is required.

Click here to view the Research Assistantship Handbook.

Interdisciplinary Training Program For Biostatisticians

We support multiple students each year through an NIH-funded training grant. This program allows students to perform research rotations during the first two years of the program and receive additional mentoring and training. For more information on eligibility and requirement for the Training Grant program, click here . 

Financial Aid Opportunities

For more information, please visit GRS’s financial aid page for fellowships and scholarships and BUSPH’s financing your education page for additional internal and external funding opportunities.

All requests or questions related to admissions and financial aid should be sent to [email protected] . Applicants should not directly contact faculty members regarding admissions or funding opportunities.

Seminars, Professional Development

Our students participate in a wide range of seminars and other professional development activities . The department holds a monthly seminar series with invited speakers presenting on research from a wide range of areas in biostatistics. There are also topic specific meetings in Statistical Genetics and Genomics , Clinical Trials, Causal Inference, and Infectious Disease modeling.

The department also hosts a monthly career development workshop which covers topics related to finding internships, developing an individual development plan, alumni panels, and other topics pertinent to being a successful student and professional.

Additionally, PhD student dissertation presentations are held regularly throughout the academic year. They are open to the public and all students and faculty are encouraged to attend.

For complete information on the PhD in Biostatistics program of study, please review the PhD Handbook 2024-2025 and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Bulletin .

Alumni Careers

Our graduates are highly sought after and work in a wide variety of careers upon graduating. They work for a wide range of employers in industry including Pfizer, Vertex, Amgen and many other leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies, as well as academic institutions, including Harvard, Yale, and Tufts.

Below is information on our graduates' first jobs after graduation.

Recent Alumni

Han chen, associate professor in the human genetics center.

What is your current position? What do you do in your current role?

I am an Associate Professor in the Human Genetics Center at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) School of Public Health. I teach public health courses, and conduct research on computationally efficient statistical methods and software programs for large-scale genetic and omics data analysis.

If this was not your first job since graduating, what other positions have you held?

After graduating from BU in 2013, I was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, before moving to Houston in 2016. I received an NIH Pathway to Independence (K99/R00) Award in 2015.

How did BU help prepare you for your career?

I learned a lot from my professors, colleagues and fellow students. I became interested in human genetics after taking two statistical genetics courses, when I realized that I could connect my knowledge in both genetics and statistics and work on something exciting that contributes to advancing the field and improving public health. In addition to biostatistics and epidemiology, I also learned statistical computing and scientific programming from coursework and research projects. These knowledge and experience are closely relevant to my current research focus.

What was your background prior to starting your program at BU?

I had a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from Tsinghua University in China, and a Master's Degree in Statistics from Columbia University, before joining the PhD program at BU in 2009.

Anything else?

Carlee Moser, Senior Research Scientist (SRS) and Associate Director of Training

Senior Research Scientist (SRS) and Associate Director of Training at the Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The SRS role is similar to an Associate Research Professor. In my role at CBAR, I work as a senior statistician supporting the ACTG (Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally) clinical trials network; the ACTG focuses on studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases. As a senior statistician, I work with investigators to develop/design clinical trials protocols, including simple size estimation and primary analysis approaches, as well as statistical analysis and study monitoring plans. I also oversee ongoing monitoring of studies that are actively enrolling and/or have participants in follow-up (which can include reviews by independent safety boards) and implementation of primary and secondary analyses of studies. As this work is very research focused, we also play a key role in developing abstracts for conferences and manuscripts. Outside of the collaborative research, I also participate in self-initiated research projects, which are often related to questions/issues that develop as part of our collaborative work. I was recently appointed the AD of Training where I oversee our Training Committee, which is responsible for onboarding new research staff and supporting ongoing biostatistical training, and provide direct mentorship to all newly hired PhDs.

I've been at CBAR since I graduated in 2013, but have been promoted through the ranks to SRS.

During my time at BU, I had the opportunity work with the Framingham Heart Study as an RA. This experience was invaluable as it taught me how to collaborate with clinical researchers, including communication of results, figuring out the best statistical method, and dealing with data issues. I was also able to graduate as a co-author on a few applied publications, which really strengthened my CV. My thesis work, though not directly related to my work now, was also extremely helpful as it allowed me to develop the necessary skills to think through tough problems that may not have actual answers. The process of "how" to figure out an answer to something unknown is so important in research. Of course, the coursework at BU was also great, as it exposed me to many methods, such as mixed effects models. I still find myself pulling out my BS 853 notes from time to time.

Jeremiah Perez, Principal Biostatistician

I am currently a Principal Biostatistician at Avania. It is a global contract clinical research organization (CRO). As part of my role at Avania, I provide statistical leadership and support in the design and analysis of clinical studies. I serve as the lead statistician and statistical reviewer for several clinical research studies across a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic areas, including, but not limited to, oncology, cardiology, surgery, infectious diseases, and ophthalmology.

Previously, I was a Research Associate at the Center for Biostatistics in AIDS Research (CBAR) at Harvard School of Public Health and a Principal Biostatistician at PPD. My experience at BU allowed me to explore and gain hands-on experience in different research areas (clinical trials, observational studies, genetics, bioinformatics) where biostatistics is applied. The work I did at BU led to my very first publications. My coursework at BU provided me the statistical knowledge that I use daily throughout my career as I help design and analyze clinical studies for sponsors. The experience writing my PhD dissertation gave me the ability to think critically and "outside the box", which allowed me to handle complex/new statistical problems that have come up throughout my career. BU gave me the opportunity to teach a statistical course to non-statisticians, which I found helpful in my career since I often have to explain basic statistical concepts to my non-statistical colleagues/clients. BU gave me the opportunity to work on collaborative projects as a graduate research assistant, which I found helpful today in my career as I often work in teams consisting of clinicians, engineers, data managers, and project managers. Lastly, through student groups and internships, BU gave me the opportunity to grow my professional network.

Prior to starting the PhD program at BU, I had a MS degree in Statistical Computing; BSBA in Economics and Decision and Information Sciences; and BA in Political Science. Prior to attending BU, I was a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant. My Master's Thesis was on Monte Carlo hypothesis testing of mean vector for high-dimensional microarray data.

My advice to an incoming PhD student would be to be open-minded and take advantage of the opportunities the program has to offer by exploring and appreciating the interdisciplinary nature of Biostatistics. Take the time to attend social events and/or be part of student groups (e.g., Biostatistics Student Association, Student Chapter of the ASA). Form study groups and get to know your classmates because the PhD experience is like a rollercoaster ride (with highs and lows), but it is more fun when you can experience the ride together.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

All applications are due by December 1 each year for consideration for admission the following fall semester. We do not offer spring admission or part time enrollment.

Admissions Requirements

Prior academic preparation.

• At least the equivalent of a bachelor of arts degree, no specific undergraduate major is required
• One year of calculus, including multivariate calculus
• One full semester of linear algebra

*Online courses can be used to fulfill prerequisite courses if they: 1) are taken from an accredited university or college, 2) are letter-graded, and 3) carry the same credits as in-person courses at the institution.

English language requirements

Proof of English proficiency is required of all applicants by submitting official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This requirement is waived only if you have received, or expect to receive, an undergraduate or graduate degree from a college or university in any of the following countries prior to enrollment in GRS: the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland.

Visit http://www.bu.edu/cas/prospective-students/graduate-admissions/international-students/ for additional information.

When you are ordering your score reports from ETS, please use institution code 3087 for Boston University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

  Minimum English language proficiency scores are :

IELTS band score of 7.0 or higher.

TOEFL paper-based test: 550

TOEFL internet-based test (no exceptions will be made to the minimum requirements in each section)

• Reading– 21
• Listening– 21
• Speaking– 21
• Writing– 21

Other requirements

GRE is not required for admission.

Some research experience is preferred for PhD admission, though not required.

Application Components

Letters of recommendation.

Three letters of recommendation are required. These should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s potential as a PhD candidate and biostatistician. There are no strict requirements about who should write letters, but we strongly encourage letters from individuals who know the applicant well and a collection of letters that can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities and preparation, potential to perform research, and maturity.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all colleges are universities are required. All transcripts must be in English and WES evaluations not required for foreign transcripts .

Personal Statement

A personal statement is very important to admissions decisions. It can take many forms, but should provide insight into your motivations for pursuing graduate school and your background. Some helpful topics to discuss may include:

• Your motivation for pursuing graduate education.
• Research areas that interest you.
• Your goals and long-term interests.
• Anything in your background that you would like to highlight.
• A description of a time when you were able to overcome academic or personal challenges.
• Anything in your academic record that might require special explanation. 
• An indication of your interest in the Interdisciplinary Training Grant in Biostatistics (please see the link here for more information on the program and eligibility requirements).

Be concise! We recommend a single spaced, 11-12 point font, and one-inch margins. Do not exceed two pages.

Curriculum Vitae

Please include a current CV. This should detail your past educational and work experiences, as well as publications, research experiences and any programming or other skills you have acquired . There are many excellent guides online on how to create a CV.

Statement on Holistic Admissions

The admissions committee will consider the entire application in their evaluation including transcript, cumulative GPA, recommendations, personal statements, and research experience. GRE scores are not required and will not be considered by the admissions committee. We encourage applicants to include special circumstances as well as achievements that may not be apparent in their personal statements. This policy has been adopted to ensure that applicants are not differentially evaluated by admissions committees due to the varied impact of COVID-19 on individuals and/or due to the specific grading policies of their colleges/universities.

Additional Information

Graduate programs are jointly administered by the SPH Department of Biostatistics and the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Program degrees are the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Students can visit the fee waiver application to find out more information about their eligibility.

Webinar Information

Attend a live webinar via Zoom to speak with the Program Directors and learn more about the program. Fill out the Biostatistics Virtual Session Form to RSVP. The 2024 - 2025 webinar dates are as follows:

• Thursday, September 19, 2024 @ 9am EDT
• Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 12pm EDT
• Thursday, November 14, 2024 @ 9am EST
• Thursday, January 16, 2025 @ 9am EST
• Wednesday, February 12, 2025 @ 9am EST

Attend a Webinar: Sept 19, Oct 17, Nov 14, Jan 16, & Feb 12

For more information about the program, please email [email protected] .

Biostatistics Graduate Program

Costs and funding.

All PhD students are fully funded. This includes full coverage of tuition, the student health fee , and individual health insurance, with an annual stipend (currently $38,000). The funding mechanism is a fellowship, research assistantship, or training grant. Continuation of funding is dependent upon the student making good academic progress in the program (as determined by their dissertation committee, their advisor, and the director of graduate studies) and satisfactory performance on their research assistantship. When these conditions are met, funding typically lasts for at least five years.

Academic year 2024–2025

All MS students receive an 80% tuition award. Over the course of a two-year MS program, students must earn credit for at least 30 credit hours; the tuition award currently corresponds to $56,376, with students responsible for the remaining $14,094 ($3,524 per semester). Continuation of this award is dependent on the student making good academic progress in the program (as determined by their academic performance, their advisor, and the director of graduate studies).

* The success stipend is paid to admitted students the summer before their arrival, to offset relocation expenses.

Additional information regarding tuition and fees can be found at the Vanderbilt University Student Accounts site .

Costs & Funding

The Department of Biostatistics is committed to building a diverse student body. We  partner with the UW to seek funding to highly-qualified underrepresented minority students and students who have achieved academic merit despite significant social, economic, disability, and/or educational challenges.

The following documents provide estimates based on rates as of 3/15/2023. Rates are subject to change without notice but represent the best estimates based on current rates and historical trends.

• Master of Science Capstone Program Degree Costs and Financial Support (pdf)
• Master of Science Thesis Program Degree Costs and Financial Support (pdf)
• PhD Program Degree Costs and Financial Support (pdf)
• Student Fees (pdf)

Continue reading for more details on program costs and funding.

PhD students are supported by Research Assistantships (RA) and/or Teaching Assistantships (TA).

• Students with this type of support do not pay their tuition.
• Students are still responsible for certain student fees.

All MS students are responsible for their own tuition and fees.

MS Thesis students:

• The tuition for MS Thesis students varies according to residency status.
• A snapshot of tuition and fees is on the  School of Public Health website .
• For more detailed information, see the Current Tuition & Fees Dashboards  (Graduate Tuition & Fees). Select for the Graduate Program field "SPH Masters (excl MPH)."

MS Capstone students:

• The MS Capstone program is a self-sustaining, fee-based program offered in collaboration with UW Professional & Continuing Education .
• Course fees are charged on a per-credit basis and are the same for Washington state resident and non-resident students. Fees must be paid at the start of each quarter.
• Cost per credit is $1097, with a total of 50 credits required for the degree. This rate is for 2023–2024 and does not factor in other required student fees, course materials, or any annual fee increases.
• The MS Capstone program is not covered by the Washington State Tuition Exemption Program for Washington State employees.

International MS students:

• International MS students must meet the UW’s financial ability requirement to show adequate funding to cover living costs and tuition and campus fees for the first year of study.
• Students submit the financial ability statement after accepting the offer admission.

Students in the PhD program are offered up to five years of guaranteed funding, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress and job performance.

• This financial support is offered through student employment in the form of research assistantships (RA) and teaching assistantships (TA). Some training grant appointments may be available to U.S. citizen/permanent residents; these appointments are paired with a RA or TA.
• RA and TA appointments pay a monthly stipend as well as cover the student's tuition and health insurance through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP) . (Note: Student is responsible for certain student fees.)  
• Guaranteed funding covers all 12 months of the year.
•  Funding offered will total 50% full time equivalent (FTE)—approximately 20 hours per week. A training grant (TG) appointment will be supplemented with a 25% FTE RA or TA. 
• The offer letter (sent in January) offers admission to the program and notes the guarantee of support, but does not have job appointment details.
• The appointment letter (sent in September) communicates the job appointment(s) for the coming year. This letter will include the faculty supervisor/instructor name, project/course name, job duties, salary, benefits, union information, and start/end dates.

Students in both MS degree programs should be prepared to pay for the entire cost of their program.

• Occasionally, masters students find some limited short-term employment, but this does not cover the entire cost of the program.
• Students seeking support are encouraged to start their search early, ideally before and while applying to graduate programs.
• Locating funding/employment is the responsibility of the student. Please see below for helpful resources and fellowship lists.
• Paying for Graduate School : Attending graduate school is a significant investment of time and money. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the financial burden. See this page for several types of financial assistance are available to graduate students.
• Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) : UW Libraries offers GFIS specifically for current and admitted graduate students looking for funding. Visit the website to learn about drop-in hours, or start today by using the GFIS online guide .
• Graduate School Fellowship List : Compilation of popular funding opportunities. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and we encourage you to conduct a broader search based on your field and research interests.
• School of Public Health Funding Information : Check in with the UW School of Public Health website where you will find opportunities for funding in the form of internships, RA/TA, volunteer and fellowships.
• International Student Services (ISS) : Provides information and resources for international students.
• UW Office of Student Financial Aid : Awards and coordinates the major financial aid loan programs for students and need-based institutional grant programs.
• UW Graduate School Office of Fellowships and Awards : Provides information on obtaining fellowships, assistantships, and awards.
• Departments apply on the student's behalf.
• Students in fee-based programs are not eligible for this waiver.
• Waiver covers tuition and fees (except for the International Fee, Tech Fee, and Transit Pass) and may be awarded for up to three quarters.
• School of Public Health Student Scholarships and Funding
• Bonderman Graduate Travel Fellowships
• International Research and Study Fellowships
• NSF Graduate Research Program Fellowships
• HHMI International Student Research Fellowships
• Graduate School Presidential Dissertation Fellowship
• Ford Foundation Fellowships
• Sinegal UW Graduate Fellowship
• Stroum Endowed Minority Fellowship
• Bank of America Endowed Minority Scholarship
• Graduate School Tuition & Supplemental Awards
• Latino/a UW Scholars Graduate School Fellowship
• Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) Research Assistant Award
• Indian Health Service
• American Indian College Fund
• American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)

Biostatistics, PhD

Bloomberg school of public health, program overview.

The PhD program at the Johns Hopkins Department of Biostatistics offers comprehensive training in biostatistical methodology and practice, grounded in both probability and statistics theory and advanced data science. This program is unique in its broad emphasis, spanning the foundations of statistical reasoning and data science. It provides rigorous training in real analysis-based probability and statistics, comparable to that of most mathematical statistics departments, as well as in data science principles and practice.

The Department of Biostatistics PhD program prepares individuals who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics, engineering, and the natural or social sciences to become research biostatisticians in academia, industry, or government. PhD graduates:

• Conduct and publish original research on the theory, methodology and practice of biostatistics and data science;
• Translate methodological advances into software and other tools to facilitate their practical application;
• Apply innovative theories and methods to solve public health problems;
• Serve as expert biostatisticians and data scientists on collaborative teams of investigators addressing key public health questions;
• Teach biostatistics and data science effectively to health professionals, scientists, and graduate students in biostatistics.

Program Requirements

Course location and modality is found on the BSPH website .

The core curriculum consists of the following components:

All PhD students are required to:

• Take at least 14 courses from the core course list above. The 14 courses should contain at least a one-year sequence of Methods (140.751-754), a one-year sequence of Theory (140.646-649 or 140.721-724 or 140.731-734), and a one-year sequence of Data Science (140.776/777/628/629 or 140.644/777/778/779). The 14 courses should contain no more than 4 introductory-level courses (140.646-649, 140.776/628/629).
• In addition to the 14 core courses, take 16 credits of advanced PhD elective courses.
• Take at least 18 credit units of formal coursework in courses outside the Department of Biostatistics. At least nine of these credits must be taken in the School of Public Health.
• Take Current Topics in Biostatistics Research (140.860), Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH (550.860), Responsible Conduct of Research (550.600), and Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I (340.721).

Students who use the one-year sequence of introductory-level probability and statistical theory (140.646-649) to fulfill requirement (1) must also take the half-year sequence of advanced data science (140.711-712).

Students who use the one-year sequence of introductory-level data science (140.776/777/628/629) courses to fulfill requirement (1) must take at least two advanced-level probability (140.721-724) and two advanced-level statistical theory (140.731-734) courses.

Student Evaluations

The Department is committed to providing every opportunity for its students to successfully complete the academic program of their choice. To support students in progressing toward the degree and to further their educational experience, the Department offers a comprehensive written examination at the end of the first year. For more details about the first-year PhD comprehensive exam, please visit the PhD in Biostatistics page where students can find a link to our PhD handbook.

The University requires students to successfully complete a preliminary oral examination, typically taken at the beginning of the third year.  The main purpose of this examination is to evaluate students' foundational knowledge and ability to communicate statistical ideas and concepts. Students should prepare a paper/proposal related to their potential thesis topic and present it in the preliminary oral exam. The University also requires students to successfully complete an oral thesis defense before graduation, where the completed thesis is defended in a public forum.

Research and Teaching Assistantships

The Department of Biostatistics offers teaching and research assistantships to its PhD students on a competitive basis. All PhD applicants (US and international) are ranked based on their merits; top candidates are offered admission. All students who matriculate are provided with assistantships that last five years and include full tuition, health insurance, and a living stipend.  Students find the teaching and research assistantships to be the most valuable part of their PhD experience. Please visit the PhD in Biostatistics page where students can find a link to our PhD handbook and the PhD union collective bargaining agreement  for more details on funding and benefits.

The Department offers a weekly seminar program featuring recent work by outstanding statistical scientists from around the world. Attendance is required for all graduate students. One seminar per month may be designated to be part of the Biostatistics "Grand Rounds" series, which features statistical analyses addressing important public health questions.

In addition, first-year graduate students are required to complete the Current Topics in Biostatistics Research course ( 140.860 ), where faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and senior students from the Department present their research, with a focus on the public health and scientific questions driving the work, why the research makes a difference for the subject area and how to translate the research into practice. 

Recommended Curriculum

First-year phd students.

In addition to the core courses described in the program requirements, the following curriculum is recommended:

PH.260.600 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences

"Cells to Society" modules, if applicable*

PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH

PH.140.840 Special Studies and Research Biostatistics (credits as needed in order to get to at least 16 credits total)

PH.140.860 Current Topics in Biostatistics Research

Second Term

Fourth term, second-year phd students.

PH.340.721 Epidemiologic Inference in Public Health I (if not taken the first year)

PH.550.600 Living Science Ethics - Responsible Conduct of Research

PH.550.860 Academic & Research Ethics at BSPH (if not taken in a previous term)

PH.140.840 Special Studies and Research Biostatistics (Credits as needed in order to get to at least 16 credits total)

"Cell to Society" modules, if applicable*

Select one or both of the following:

PH.140.820 Thesis Research Biostatistics (credits as needed in order to get to at least 16 credits total)

Third-Year PhD Students

Coursework in scientific/statistical electives/special studies for a minimum of 16 credits per term

Fourth-Year PhD Students

* Students are required to take eight 552.xxx “Cells to Society” courses (552.601.81, 552.603.81, 552.607.81, 552.608.81, 552.609.81, 552.610.81, 552.611.81, 552.612.81) by the end of Year Two.

Doctoral Student Policies

Below covers policies regarding academic performance of doctoral students that are specific to the Department of Biostatistics. Students also must satisfy the academic standing requirements of the Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

For a full list of program policies, please visit the PhD in Biostatistics page where students can find a link to our PhD handbook.

Academic Standing and Exams

Doctoral students are expected to stay in good academic standing throughout their PhD studies.

Students are expected to maintain grades of B or higher in core classes. Any core class with a grade lower than a B will need to be retaken.

First year students maintaining B grades in core classes can sit for the first year Departmental exam. Students with any grades lower than a B in core classes must receive approval from the graduate committee to sit for the exams. In the event that students are denied, possible resolutions include postponing the exam for one year, switching to a master’s program or being required to leave the doctoral program based on a consideration by the faculty of overall academic performance.

In the event of a failure of the exam, students are allowed one retake. Student retakes typically occur in the following year, with exceptions occurring when mitigating circumstances are present, such as a leave of absence. In the event of a failure in the retake, the student will be asked to leave the doctoral program, typically with the option to join the master’s program. The exams, either a first take or retake, are only given once per year at the start of the summer break (typically in early June).

The grading of the Departmental exam is as follows. Passing scores are determined by exam writers after grading with examiners blinded from student names. Students who pass all sections of the exam pass the exam. Students failing one or more sections will be discussed by the faculty as a whole. This discussion will include exam and course performance. Possible resolutions include: declaring the student as passing the exam, declaring the student as having failed the exam, take-home remediation of sections of the exam or a full retake (only available if it is the student’s first attempt at the exam).

To maintain good academic standing, students must complete their school-wide preliminary oral exam by the end of their third academic year before the start of the first term of their fourth year (typically late August or early September depending on that year’s academic calendar).

Full funding for tuition and stipend is provided to PhD students for five years. Students are expected to finish their doctoral programs within this time. Students who do not finish within five years may continue in the program for up to two additional years. In these cases, a 75% departmental tuition scholarship is provided, but students are responsible for the remaining tuition, their own health insurance, and living expenses. Personal office space cannot be guaranteed for students beyond the five-year point. Common areas (Biostatistics Library, Genome Cafe) remain available for use by these students.

Program Changes from PhD to ScM or MHS

In the event that a doctoral student switches to the ScM or MHS programs, the following should be noted.

Funded doctoral students forfeit their funding in the event of a program switch.

Students have the option of switching to part-time status after switching programs. However, visa residency requirements for maintaining full-time student status typically prevent foreign students from being able to switch to part-time.

MHS and ScM students receive a 75% tuition reduction in their second year provided that they have taken 12 credits of courses outside of the Department (of which at least 6 credit hours must come from the School of Public Health courses) and have passed their Departmental exams. Doctoral students considering a program switch should appropriately plan their first year coursework to ensure eligibility for the tuition reduction in their second year. The 75% tuition remission is contingent on passing the first year exams at the master’s level. PhD students who take the doctoral exam and then elect or are asked to switch to a master’s program will be informed whether their performance on the doctoral exam constitutes a pass at the master’s level. Students who are deemed to have not passed at the master’s level will be asked to take the master’s Departmental exam in the subsequent year to fulfill the requirements of the master’s program and will not be eligible for the tuition reduction until the exam requirements have been met. Students will be allowed this one administration of the master’s exam in these circumstances.

Upon successful completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics, students will have mastered the following competencies:

• Apply quantitative methods to public health and scientific problems;
• Examine and apply foundational concepts of probability theory and statistical inference;
• Construct, fit and interpret different types of linear model (LM), generalized linear model (GLM), linear mixed model (LMM) and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) in the context of scientific and public health applications, and conduct statistical inference in these models;
• Develop foundational insights for applying biostatistical theory and methodology to solve public health and scientific problems;
• Produce a complete data analysis to answer a targeted scientific or public health question.

According to the requirements of the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), all BSPH degree students must be grounded in foundational public health knowledge. Please view the list of specific CEPH requirements by degree type .

PhD in Biostatistics

Prepare for a career at the forefront of biostatistics and bioinformatics theory and practice.

As a PhD in biostatistics candidate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, you will develop deep expertise in the theory and practice of biostatistics and bioinformatics, working alongside faculty who are leaders in both statistical theory and its application to health research. You will learn to work with big data and use powerful statistical tools to drive discovery using complex datasets. You will also conduct original research in collaboration with laboratory, clinical, and biomedical scientists from around the globe to identify and solve problems that threaten the lives and health of people everywhere.

With a PhD in biostatistics from the Harvard Chan School, you will be prepared for a high-impact career in academia or a research or leadership role in government or within the health care, pharmaceutical, or biomedical industries. You will also be positioned to play an important role in safeguarding public health and improving lives through quantitative research.

The PhD in biostatistics curriculum is focused on devising solutions to public health problems through the development of five key competencies in every student:

• Applying innovative probabilistic and statistical theory and computing approaches to the development of new biostatistical or bioinformatics methods, and publishing this original research in academic journals
• Providing leadership in the design, conduct, and analysis of collaborative research studies in medicine and public health
• Applying modern statistical and computational methods to effectively analyze complex medical and public health data, including the development of new software for nonstandard problems and simulation methods
• Collaborating and communicating effectively with research scientists in related disciplines
• Teaching biostatistics or bioinformatics effectively to health professionals, research scientists, and graduate students

All students admitted to the PhD in biostatistics program, including international students, are guaranteed full funding, which includes a stipend as well as tuition and health insurance for four years, provided they make satisfactory progress. In practice, many students require a fifth year to complete the doctoral program, and financial support for this 5 th year will be available with approval of the department.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

All candidates for admission to the PhD in biostatistics program must have a strong background in mathematics—with college-level coursework successfully completed through multivariable calculus and at least one semester of linear algebra—as well as knowledge of at least one computer programming language. We strongly encourage additional coursework in quantitative areas including probability, statistics, numerical analysis, and advanced calculus or real analysis, as well as in biology, computational biology, and genetics (if interested in bioinformatics). Experience using a statistical computing platform such as SAS, Splus, R, Stata, or SPSS is also encouraged. Knowledge of a scripting language such as Python or Perl and some familiarity with relational databases is recommended for those interested in bioinformatics.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Like all PhD (doctor of philosophy) programs at the School, the PhD in biostatistics is offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system located at gsas.harvard.edu/admissions/apply.

OUR COMMUNITY: COMMITTED, ACCOMPLISHED, COLLABORATIVE

As a student in the PhD in biostatistics program, you will join a community of leading scientists and educators from around the world, working alongside world-renowned faculty members and collaborating with peers from across the globe. Our location in the heart of Boston’s Longwood Medical Area—home to Harvard Medical School, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and many world-class hospitals—makes collaboration with eminent laboratory and clinical researchers a natural part of the educational experience. And when you graduate, you will benefit from Harvard’s unparalleled global network of alumni leaders.

LEARN MORE Visit our website at www.hsph.harvard.edu/biostatistics [email protected]

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Biostatistics Ph.D. Program

Requirements of the ph.d. program.

The Ph.D. degree requires successful completion of:

• Core courses
• Electives in Biostatistics and Statistics
• Epidemiology requirement
• Public health requirement (Foundations of Public Health Practice, online non-credit course). Students with an MPH from a CEPH-accredited institution are exempt.
• Electives in a cognate area
• Approaches to the Responsible Practice of Biostatistics (BIOS 810)
• Qualifying Examinations in Theory and Applications

Dissertation

• Presentation of proposal for research including an extensive literature review
• Writing of the dissertation
• Oral defense of the dissertation
• Mandatory Form for Scheduling a Proposal or Defense

After successful completion of coursework and the Qualifying Examinations, the student is advanced to candidacy and begins work on his/her dissertation.

Financial Support

All students admitted to one of our residential programs are considered for financial support. There are four types of financial support that we offer our students: Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA), Training Grants and Fellowships.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

Graduate Student Instructors are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees and a monthly stipend. GSI’s are appointed to help with the instruction of Biostatistics courses offered to students from other Public Health Departments. The duties of a GSI can include preparing materials for and teaching labs, holding office hours, grading homework and exams, and tutoring.

Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA)

GSRA’s are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately twenty hours per week on a research project. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees and a monthly stipend. GSRA’s generally work closely with a faculty member who is a principal or co-investigator on the research project. The duties of the GSRA can involve analysis of biomedical research data or statistical research. Currently, GSRAs are working on projects involving statistical methods development and application to bioinformatics, cancer, clinical trials, dentistry, diabetes, environmental health, epidemiology, genetics, health education, kidney disease, and survival analysis.

Training Grants

Students are also supported through involvement in training grants which provide support similar to the GSRA or GSI appointments. Currently, the Department has three training grants. Information can be obtained by clicking on the links below.

• Genomic Science Training Program
• Training Program in Cancer Research (PDF)

Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Awards for tuition assistance are available and are granted without a work obligation. These awards are generally made on the basis of academic merit, expected contribution to the field, and underrepresented backgrounds. Some examples of awards our students have received include:

• the Shapiro Award
• the Rackham Merit Fellowship for Historically Underrepresented Groups
• the Rackham Non-Traditional Fellowship
• the Rackham Regents Fellowship
• the School of Public Health Tuition Assistance Award.

Other award/scholarship opportunities exist for continuing students. They include:

• the Rackham One-Term Dissertation Grant
• the Barbour Scholarship
• the Pre-doctoral Fellowship
• the Susan Lipshutz Award
• the Rackham Travel Award .

The Rackham Sources of Aid page lists various sources of information on financial assistance available to students on campus.

Prospective students interested in applying for specific awards should contact Student Services at 734-615-9817 or [email protected] .

Financial Aid

Many of our students are offered funding as GSIs, GSRAs or fellows. If a student does not receive such an offer, he or she may apply for financial aid through the University of Michigan’s Office of Financial Aid . This office requires applicants for any and all types of financial aid to complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) provided by the American College Testing Center (ACTC) . A FAFSA will be sent to you directly if you indicate your interest in financial assistance on the admission application form. FAFSAs are available from most high school or college libraries and financial aid officers, as well as from the School of Public Health Office of Student Affairs. FAFSA is also available at www.fafsa.ed.gov .

Prerequisites

Minimum requirements.

• three semesters of calculus
• a course in matrix or linear algebra
• an introductory course in statistics or biostatistics

Students entering with a relevant master's degree in biostatistics or statistics are likely to have completed several of the courses required for the Ph.D. program. For this reason, we outline two programs of study: one for students with a relevant master's degree and one for students without a relevant master's degree. Each student should determine the details of the program of study after consultation with his/her faculty advisor.

Courses for a PhD Student with a Relevant Master's Degree

Typically, a student entering with a relevant master's degree will have had the following courses or their equivalents:

• BIOS 601 Probability and Distribution Theory
• BIOS 602 Biostatistical Inference
• BIOS 650 Applied Statistics I: Linear Regression
• BIOS 810 Approaches to the Responsible Practice of Biostatistics
• MATH 451 Advanced Calculus I
• Foundations of Public Health TBA, starting Fall 2018
• One or two electives in Biostatistics or Statistics

This accelerated program is not possible unless the student has already completed the first three courses listed above. MATH 451 can be taken in the first term of year 1, if necessary.

* Or another advanced probability course.

It is assumed that students entering with a relevant Master's degree will have taken equivalent courses that will enable them to be exempted from 3-6 hours of this requirement.

B. Electives (15 credit hours)

Electives may be selected from Biostatistics at the 600/800 level, from Statistics at the 500/600 level, or with approval of the Candidacy Committee, from courses taught in other departments. At least 12 of these hours should be in formal courses and 9 of the 12 hours should be at the 800 level in Biostatistics or 600 level in Statistics. A formal course is defined to be a graded course that is taught in a lecture format.

C. Epidemiology Requirement

All students in the School of Public Health are required to demonstrate competency in biostatistics and epidemiology. The epidemiology requirement may be satisfied in any one of the following ways:

• Completing Epidemiology 601 (Fall) or PH 512 (Fall & Winter).
• Taking and passing the Epidemiology exemption examination.
• Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course. (Option available to MS student but not to MPH students)
• Epidemiology 621 as an option for students funded by the Training Program in Cancer Research.

D1. Open Elective Requirement

Depending on the number of credit hours used to complete their epidemiology cognate, Ph.D. students will take 7-10 credit hours of "open elective" courses to be selected from an approved list. If the Epidemiology course taken is 515/516, the student needs 7 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 601, then 9 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 503, then 10 credits. All current Biostatistics students are granted access to the approved list, which is maintained on a Google Drive document. The approved list includes additional electives in biostatistics (600+ level) and statistics (500+ level), applied courses in public health or related topics, and courses in computational methods. Students who want to take University of Michigan courses that are not currently on the approved list are encouraged to request approval from the Curriculum Committee; please contact Nicole Fenech ( [email protected] ) and provide the name, number of the course and description.  (Courses far afield from biostatistics and public health will not be approved).

In Table 3, we present a possible sequence of courses and examinations for a student entering with a relevant Master's degree. Prior to registering for this sequence, the student should confirm with his/her faculty advisor that he/she has adequate prior course work. Also, the student should discuss with his/her faculty advisor the possibility of receiving exemptions from the Core courses listed above. BIOS 820 or 990 taken in the last term are individually-tailored reading courses in the area of biostatistics in which the student would like to do his or her literature review.

May Year 2:Qualifying Examinations

*Students who have taken BIOS 651 or equivalent prior to entry in the PhD program could finish Core courses (BIOS 801, 802, 653, 699) the first year and write the Qualifying Examinations May Year 1.

*This represents a minimal program of study for the PhD degree. The timing of electives and of cognates/open electives may be freely interchanged.

D2. Public Health Requirement 

All MS and Ph.D students (who do not have MPH degree) are required to take a 1-credit course on "Introduction to Public Health" (PUBHLTH 610) during the first semester of the program. This course is offered in the Fall of every year.

Courses for a PhD Student without a Relevant Master's Degree

This program does not assume any relevant course work for a student entering the PhD program. In practice, students with a relevant Master's are likely to have had some courses that are equivalent to requirements in this program. Therefore, prior to registering for courses the student should discuss with his/her advisor the specific courses that should be taken.

At least 15 credit hours of electives are required. They may be selected from Biostatistics at the 600/800 level, from Statistics at the 500/600 level, or with approval of the Candidacy Committee, from courses taught in other Departments. At least 12 of these hours should be in formal courses, 9 of the 12 hours should be at the 800 level in Biostatistics or 600 level in Statistics. A formal course is defined to be a graded course that is taught in a lecture format.

• Completing Epidemiology 601 (Fall) or PH 512  (Fall & Winter).
• Completing Epidemiology 516 and any necessary prerequisites to that course. (Option available to MS students, but not to MPH students)
• Epidemiology 621 as an option for students funded by the Training Program in Cancer Research 

D1a. Cognate Requirement (for entering class prior to Fall 2015)

PhD students must complete at least 9 hours of course work in a cognate area. This should consist of a coherent set of courses in an area (or in related areas) of application of biostatistics; the courses should be approved for graduate credit and may be from more than one department. Cognate courses should be primarily applied as opposed to mathematics/statistical in nature. For example, courses in areas such as mathematics, statistics, operational research, computer science, econometrics and psychometrics would most likely not qualify as cognate courses. Courses from other departments in Public Health or in areas such as genetics, biology, psychology, economics and many other similar areas will likely qualify as cognate courses. Courses in Bioinformatics that are biological or experimental in nature would typically count toward the cognate, whereas those that are more quantitative or technical would not. Courses taken to satisfy the epidemiology requirement count toward the cognate requirement. Faculty advisors can provide guidance and recommend approval of cognate courses. If questions arise on review by Student Services, the Curriculum Committee will make the final decision.

Waivers of cognate requirements .   It is possible to have cognate courses taken in a graduate program elsewhere recognized and to receive a partial or complete waiver. It should be noted, however, that if the previously taken courses were applied toward a degree, the required credit hours for the UM degree will not be reduced. A waiver of cognate requirements should be discussed with your advisor and must be approved by the Curriculum Committee and all requests must go through the Department's Student Services office.

D1b. Open Elective Requirement (for entering class Fall 2015 or later)

Depending on the number of credit hours used to complete their epidemiology cognate, Ph.D. students will take 7-10 credit hours of "open elective" courses to be selected from an approved list. If the Epidemiology course taken is 515/516, the student needs 7 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 601, then 9 credits. If the Epidemiology course is 503, then 10 credits. All current Biostatistics students are granted access to the approved list, which is maintained on a Google Drive document. The approved list includes additional electives in biostatistics (600+ level) and statistics (500+ level), Math 451, applied courses in public health or related topics, and courses in computational methods. Students who want to take University of Michigan courses that are not currently on the approved list are encouraged to request approval from the Curriculum Committee; please contact Nicole Fenech ( [email protected] ) and provide the name, number of the course and description.  (Courses far afield from biostatistics and public health will not be approved).

D2. Public Health Requirement (new requirement for MS and Ph.D students beginning Fall 2013 cohort)

In Table 4 we present a possible sequence of courses and examinations for students entering without a relevant Master's degree.

Spring/Summer Year 2: Qualifying Examinations

* This represents a minimal program of study for the PhD degree. The timing of electives and of cognates may be freely interchanged. These courses also allow a student to receive a Master's degree at the end of the second year. Three additional electives would be taken in year 3 for a total of 15 credit hours of electives. BIOS 820 or 990, which are individually-tailored reading courses in the area of biostatistics in which the student would like to do his or her literature review, are particularly recommended.

Qualifying Examinations and Advancement to Candidacy

Qualifying examinations.

As a rule, students must be admitted to the Biostatistics Ph.D. program before taking the Qualifying Examination. This rule may be waived in exceptional circumstances, subject to written consent of the Admission and Candidacy Committees. The Qualifying Examination is not individualized to the student. They are prepared and graded by the members of the Candidacy Committee.

The Qualifying Examination is offered once each year, in late May. Questions will be at the level of the final exams used in our required Biostatistics core courses (601, 602, 650, and 651). In addition, students are required to take and pass 699 before taking the Qualifying Examination.

Full-time Ph.D. students entering without a relevant master's degree are expected to take the Qualifying Exam within two years of entering the program, while students entering with a relevant master's degree are expected to take it within one year of entering the program. 

The requirements for part-time students are prorated, so that, for example, a half-time student entering with a relevant master's degree will be required to take the Qualifying Examinations within two years. A student retaking a Qualifying Examination must retake it the next time it is offered. If a student wishes to delay the examinations, he/she must submit a written request to the Candidacy Committee, justifying the delay.

A student who has failed the Qualifying Examination and wishes to continue in the Ph.D. program, may retake the examination. If a student fails the examination twice, then he/she will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancing to candidacy requires passing the Qualifying Examinations and completing the required coursework. Once these requirements are met, the student should apply for candidacy by submitting the Candidacy Requirements form to the chair of the Candidacy Committee. The Candidacy Committee then makes the final decision regarding advancement.

Departmental Guidelines for Ph.D. Dissertation

Dissertation committee.

In accordance with Rackham Graduate School regulations, the dissertation committee must have at least four members, with at least two from within and at least one from outside the Department of Biostatistics. A member whose research interests are closely aligned with those of the student is the committee chair, unless this member is from outside the Department, in which case this member and a member from within the department are designated as co-chairs. The dissertation committee is selected by mutual agreement between the student and committee members and is nominated to the dean of the Graduate School by the chair of the department. The committee directs and reviews the student's doctoral research, conducts the oral defense of the dissertation, and decides whether or not the dissertation is approved.

• Ph.D. candidates should form their dissertation committee within 12 months of reaching candidacy; it is recommended that meetings with the committee members take place every six to 12 months.
• Candidates are expected to present their thesis proposal within 24 months of achieving candidacy. The proposal presents an opportunity to practice writing skills for the thesis and to present the materials to the members of the dissertation committee. The dissertation proposal does not require a complete outline of the dissertation or the very near completion of the work. Rather, the proposal should be presented along the lines of an NIH grant proposal and generally address questions of overall aims, carry out a comprehensive literature review in the research area, present a section on preliminary results, and provide a detailed plan for additional research. Presentation of the proposal offers a very useful milestone for the student to give a more formal summary of work and to get feedback and comments from the dissertation committee. The additional purpose of the thesis proposal is for the whole committee to review and approve the proposed direction and content of the proposed research.

Dissertation Content

The dissertation research must be a creative and significant original contribution to the field of biostatistics, involving the development and evaluation of biostatistical methodology that has application to important biomedical problems. The development of software and computational techniques for novel statistical methods is an important aspect of scholarly work. Various models for the structure of a dissertation have been used and are acceptable. In some cases, the thesis consists of three separate, often fairly loosely related, papers that are judged to be of publishable quality. A more traditional form of thesis would be one that provides an in-depth treatise on a topic, that may look at various facets of a problem and may not easily subdivide into a set number of separate publishable papers. For guidance, students may wish to review the collection of Ph.D. dissertations that have been written in the department and that are on display in the departmental library.

Dissertation Submission

• It is the responsibility of the student to see that the dissertation defense is advertised within the department at least three weeks in advance of the scheduled defense time. In addition, the student is responsible for providing a copy of the submitted dissertation to each member of the dissertation committee at least two weeks in advance of the date of the defense.
• The dissertation should be submitted by the student to the graduate office in the department at least two weeks prior to the defense. The thesis would then be available for review to any faculty member or student in the department prior to the defense. The Front Office will send a note to all faculty and students regarding the availability of the thesis and lend it out to anyone interested.

Conduct of Defense (Examination)

• The chair will call on the candidate for presentation of the dissertation, typically for a 50-minute presentation and will then call on committee members for questions. It is typical to call on the external member(s) of the committee first and then on others on the committee. Once the committee has completed a first round of questions, the chair will solicit any questions from the audience. Further questions from the committee will also be invited.
• The defense is to be public; therefore, examination of the candidate by committee members and others should take place with all who are interested present. There would still be time for an ‘in camera’ deliberation of the dissertation committee, and in exceptional circumstances where more information is needed, the committee may decide to meet again with the candidate after the public meeting is complete.

Rackham Procedures

Please make sure to read important Rackham guidelines and procedures .

Ph.D. Student Directory

Frequently asked questions

For more information about the admissions process, contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Nicole Fenech.

E-mail : [email protected] Telephone : 734-615-9817

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More detailed information is available below, in the Department of Biostatistics Student Handbook , and in the School of Public Health's Policies and Procedures Memorandum on the PhD degree .

Program Overview | Entrance Requirements | Student Evaluations | Research and Teaching Assistantships | Seminars | Scientific Minor | Recommended Curriculum | School of Public Health's Policies and Procedures Memorandum on the PhD degree |  School of Public Health Course Search Engine | Academic Ethics

Incoming students without a strong background in basic biology are strongly encouraged to register for the course Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (260.600), held in advance of the first term each year during the latter part of August. (Click here to search for course times and descriptions.)

Students in the Bloomberg School of Public Health are expected to abide by the highest levels of academic and research integrity.   The Johns Hopkins Academic Ethics Code can be found at:  https://my.jhsph.edu/Resources/PoliciesProcedures/ppm/PolicyProcedureMemoranda/Students_01_Academic_Ethics.pdf

All students must complete an online module to familiarize themselves with this code. (See http://apps2.jhsph.edu/academicethics/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/academicethics/WelcomeLoggedIn.aspx ).

As stated in the Academic Ethics Code, "violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: cheating; plagiarism; knowingly furnishing false information to any agent of the University for inclusion in the academic record; violation of the rights and welfare of animal or human subjects in research; and misconduct as a member of either School or University committees or recognized groups or organizations."

For a Biostatistics student, abiding by the Academic Ethics code includes:

Awards and Funding

Student funding.

Graduate students in the Department of Biostatistics are funded through a variety of sources, including Graduate Research Assistantships, Training Grants, BIOS Departmental Scholarships, and University-Wide Scholarships. For the current school year, more than 90 percent of our doctoral students are funded by the department, typically by Graduate Research Assistantships or Training Grants. The remaining students not funded by the department are generally funded from other departments or outside sources. The Graduate Funding Information Center (GFIC)  provides information on some of these outside sources.

Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) carry with them a stipend and comprehensive major medical insurance (option to  waive  mandatory student health insurance for students with departmental funding sources), as well as an in-state tuition and fee award for students meeting  eligibility requirements . A GRA is eligible (but not guaranteed) for  tuition remission . Tuition remission are competitive awards that reduce out-of-state tuition to in-state tuition levels for students with Graduate Research Assistantships. Applicants are automatically considered for tuition remission after they are awarded Graduate Research Assistantships. The yearly stipend ranges depend on degree program. As recipients of Graduate Research Assistantships, students generally work on theoretical statistical research or health-related applications under the direction of a faculty member in the Department of Biostatistics for 20 hours per week. In addition to the financial support offered by Graduate Research Assistantships, students also gain valuable practical experience in research and data analysis. In previous years, as many as 66 BIOS graduate students were supported on Graduate Research Assistantships.

Obtaining in-state residency status

Environmental Biostatistics Training Grant

The Environmental Biostatistics Training Grant includes a stipend of $26,352, health insurance, and 60% of tuition and fees (the remainder of tuition is typically covered from other sources). Students funded by the training grant are expected to complete on-campus summer research internships and to grade papers for one biostatistics course annually. Recipients of these fellowships must be either U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. Currently, 23 predoctoral scholars and 5 postdoctoral scholars across 3 departments are supported on this training grant. To be considered, students should describe their interest in environmental biostatistics in the personal statement accompanying their application for admission.

Genomics and Cancer Training Grant

The Biostatistics for Research in Genomics and Training Grant includes a stipend of $26,352, health insurance, and 60% of tuition and fees (the remainder of tuition is typically covered from other sources). Students funded by the training grant are expected to complete on-campus summer research internships and to grade papers for one biostatistics course annually. Recipients of these fellowships must be either U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status. Currently, there are slots for 5 predoctoral students. To be considered, students should describe their interest in genomics and cancer biostatistics in the personal statement accompanying their application for admission.

Fellowships

The  Fryer Fellowship,  offered by the Department of Biostatistics to outstanding applicants as a supplement to a traineeship or Graduate Research Assistantship, is made possible by John and Diane Fryer. All applicants to the program are automatically placed under consideration for this award.

The  Dennis Gillings Leadership Endowment Fund Fellowship  provides funds to help cover tuition and expenses for a graduate student in the department.

Scholarships

The  Nguyen V. Dat Endowed Scholarship  is offered to a graduate student in the Department of Biostatistics. This award is designated for an outstanding applicant and gives preference to physically challenged students. It is made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Nguyen Dat.

The  Bernard Greenberg Scholarship Fund  is offered to outstanding applicants by the Department of Biostatistics as a supplement to a traineeship or Graduate Research Assistantship. This scholarship is named after Dr Bernard G. Greenberg, founder and former chair (1949-72) of the Department of Biostatistics, and is made possible by generous contributions by the Greenberg family and friends. All applicants to the program are automatically placed under consideration for this award.

The  Max Halperin Award  is a scholarship offered to a first- or second-year doctoral student and is made available by donations from friends and family of Max Halperin.

The  Hardison Scholarship in Bioinformatics  is offered to an outstanding applicant in the Department of Biostatistics to encourage studies in health informatics in the department. This award is made possible by the gifts of the Hardison family.

The  Mohberg Scholarship  is offered to an outstanding applicant to the Department of Biostatistics. This award is made possible by gifts to the Public Health Foundation by the family of Dr. Noel Mohberg.

The  Kalyani Sen International Student Scholarship in Biostatistics  are funds used to enable international students to receive educational support in their final year of seeking a doctoral degree in biostatistics. These funds are given by Dr. P.K. Sen and wife Gauri to honor Kalyani Sen.

Other departmental awards, including the  Barry H. Margolin Dissertation Award  and the  Regina C. Elandt-Johnson Master’s Paper Award , include a cash prize provided by the Alumni Association. These awards are administered through a departmental committee and are reserved for current BIOS students.

The James E. Grizzle Distinguished Alumnus Award was established to honor Dr. James Grizzle, former Chair, for his outstanding contributions to biostatistical research, training and service. This award recognizes a biostatistics alumnus for outstanding contributions to biostatistical methodology, consulting and/or teaching. The intent is to identify and encourage rising stars in the field of biostatistics.

The  Kupper Dissertation Publication Award Fund  honors yearly both the doctoral student and the dissertation advisor of the best doctoral dissertation-based paper published in a prestigious biostatistical journal.

The Graduate School awards several  fellowships  to highly qualified candidates in a school-wide competition. These include several five year scholarships for doctoral students and one year merit awards for doctoral and masters’ level applicants. In addition, the Gillings School of Global Public Health offers the  Cole Scholarship  to two outstanding applicants each year.

For all of the Graduate School Awards, students may not apply directly but may indicate their desire to be considered for these awards when they apply to the BIOS department. Students must submit applications by December 15 to be considered for any graduate school award.

Additional Graduate Funding

The Graduate School  can help connect you to funding options. You can apply for merit-based grants, awards, fellowships and assistantships. Many of these funding awards include full tuition support. You may also apply for financial aid, including need-based grants.

The UNC  Graduate Funding Information Center  is a resource for those seeking information on funding sources for independent research, collaborative projects, fellowships, program development and other scholarly activities. You can  email the GFIC  for hands-on, individual help.

The UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Scholarships and Student Aid

In its 50-year history, the Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center has coordinated activities for over 40 large, multi-site clinical trials and epidemiology studies. These studies have involved hundreds of clinical or field centers and hundreds of thousands of research subjects and produced over 2,000 research publications.

Building on the research strength of biostatistics faculty who are highly engaged in various areas of methodological and applied research in clinical trials, the LICT has become a global leader in research development in the design and conduct of clinical trials.

The Biometric Consulting Laboratory provides collaborative biostatistical consultation for study design and data analysis for investigators within the Health Affairs Division of UNC and beyond.

New Gillings School center will leverage AI for improved public health

Featured events, 29th national health equity research webcast, biostatistics 75th anniversary conference and celebration, information for:.

Department of Biostatistics

School of public health.

Biostatistics Ph.D. Program

Our Ph.D. in biostatistics program is ideal for students who want to dive into a comprehensive curriculum, work on cutting-edge research projects and publish their work.

Applications now open for Fall 2025 admission!

Our students serve as biostatisticians on research assistantships in collaboration with health sciences researchers and organizations, which often leads to collaborative, peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Students also earn credit each semester via our Biostatistical Consulting Laboratory where they help design studies, create and maintain research databases, analyze data and report statistical evidence.

The first two summers are spent working with faculty members on a health sciences or methodological research project.

Optional Concentration

Students can add an optional concentration that allows specialization within biostatistics:

• Ph.D. with Genomics Concentration

Financial Support

Full-time Ph.D. students are eligible for stipend and full tuition support. Stipends start at $34,000 a year (in addition to tuition and fees) for up to five years and are contingent upon availability and student performance. We aim to support all full-time students.

Students who receive full support are not permitted to hold other jobs. The priority deadline to be considered for admission with full funding is December 1, 2024 . Additional applications may be accepted until January 8, 2025, but funding consideration is not guaranteed.

The VCU Graduate School also provides financial advising and opportunities .

Student Profile

Students in our Ph.D. program typically:

• Pursue leadership positions in the pharmaceutical industry or government
• Seek a university faculty appointment
• Have extensive theoretical backgrounds

Meet our students

Admission Requirements

• Students must meet the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School
• Applicants for the Ph.D. in biostatistics (including the genomics concentration) must complete the verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections of the Graduate Record Exam
• All applicants are expected to hold at least a B.S. or B.A. degree and have completed courses as specified in the VCU Bulletin (multivariate calculus, linear algebra, probability theory, and statistics)
• Three professional letters of recommendation 
• Transcripts of all previous college work
• If applicable, a personal interview may be requested by the departmental admissions committee
• Statement of intent

Apply Here     International Students Apply Here

Admission items to note:

• Unofficial test scores (GRE) and transcripts are suitable for the application. Students who have been admitted to the program will need to submit official materials prior to enrolling for the fall 2025 semester.
• International students no longer need to provide evaluated transcripts. The International Admissions office at VCU will evaluate educational materials internally.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements , Ph.D. students must complete a minimum total of 78 credit hours (59 didactic hours, eight hours each of seminar and consulting, and three hours of research).

After completing the eight core courses (BIOS 513, BIOS 514, BIOS 524, BIOS 601, BIOS 602, BIOS 606, BIOS 653, and BIOS 654), students must pass a two-part qualifying examination to continue in the Ph.D. program. A dissertation and proposal defense are also required.

View Curriculum Here

Ph.D. Student Perspective - Christine Orndahl

“I believe that the engagement of the faculty in my learning is unparalleled. I have been able to go to faculty with questions, and they have taken the time to make sure that I not only know the answer, but also that I understand the process.  Because the department is on the smaller side, I don't feel like I am just a number, but a person who has aspirations that the faculty and my peers are willing to help me achieve.”

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Biostatistics

Director: Ian McKeague, PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics prepares candidates for leadership roles in the development and application of statistical methods to biomedical research for the advancement of public health. The program requirements for the PhD degree differ from those for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in that the curriculum, examinations, and dissertation involve more emphasis on statistical theory in the context of public health applications.

The PhD in Biostatistics is awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) of Columbia University as governed by the Doctoral Program Subcommittee on Biostatistics. The program is administered by the faculty and staff of the Mailman School of Public Health.

Building on the foundation of the MS in Theory and Methods (MS/TM), the PhD includes the completion of any MS/TM requirements not previously met in the student’s prior master’s program, the equivalent of four semesters of additional full-time study, written and oral comprehensive examinations, and the completion and oral defense of an independent, original dissertation on a problem in statistical theory or method with relevance to a biomedical or public health application. The typical time for completion of the PhD degree is four to five years- two years for course work and written qualifiers and two to three years for the dissertation.

Admissions Requirements

While many of the applicants admitted to Columbia’s PhD program in biostatistics have already completed (or are completing) master’s degrees in biostatistics, statistics, or a related field, admission is open to well qualified students holding (or completing) bachelor’s degrees. Those admitted with a bachelor’s degree are typically strong students from programs that emphasize a rigorous background in mathematics and/or statistics.

Depending on prior training and background, students may be required to take additional master’s level course work in the Mailman School of Public Health as part of their PhD training.

In addition to the requirements listed below, all applicants must submit an official transcript from each prior institution, a statement of academic purpose, and three letters of evaluation from academic sources. All international students whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate degree is from an institution in a country whose official language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

• Deadline for Fall Admission:  December 1
• Deadline for Spring Admission:  No spring admission
• Resume/CV:  Yes
• Writing Sample:  No
• GRE General:  Optional
• GRE Subject:  No

Course Work

The PhD program builds on the foundation of an MS in Biostatistics (or its equivalent). Any course work or other requirements of the MS in Biostatistics (or its equivalent) not included in a doctoral student’s previous master’s training must be completed before (and in addition to) the requirements for each doctoral program. The specific course requirements of the PhD program are designed to prepare the student to take the doctoral qualifying examinations.

Students are encouraged to take full advantage of graduate course offerings in other departments of the Mailman School of Public Health, other departments and schools of the Columbia Medical Center (CUMC), and Columbia’s Morningside Heights Campus including, but not limited to the Department of Statistics , to extend their knowledge of theory and methods, develop an area of expertise, and familiarize themselves with the content and issues specific to the biomedical or public health problem or application of their research.

A grade of B or better is necessary in all required courses for both doctoral programs, but up to two elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis, especially to encourage students to take courses outside their field of expertise.

Competencies

PhD students gain all competencies of the MS Theory and Methods Track ( MS/TM ), and achieve additional competencies in the areas of data analysis and computing, public health and collaborative research, consulting, data management, a cognate field requirement, teaching, and biostatistical research.

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Biostatistics, graduates will be able to:

Data Analysis and Computing

• Identify and implement advanced statistical models for the purposes of estimation, comparison, prediction, and adjustment in non-standard settings.
• Public Health and Collaborative Research [Sub-header]
• Develop and execute calculations for power and sample size when planning research studies with complex sampling schemes;
• Formulate and prepare a written statistical plan for analysis of public health research data that clearly reflects the research hypotheses of the proposal in a manner that resonates with both co-investigators and peer reviewers;
• Evaluate research reports and proposals for research funding on the basis of their scientific integrity, validity, and the strength of the quantitative analysis; and
• Prepare written summaries of quantitative analyses for journal publication, presentations at scientific meetings, grant applications, and review by regulatory agencies.

Data Management

• Identify the uses to which data management can be put in practical statistical analysis, including the establishment of standards for documentation, archiving, auditing, and confidentiality; guidelines for accessibility; security; structural issues; and data cleaning;
• Differentiate between analytical and data management functions through knowledge of the role and functions of databases, different types of data storage, and the advantages and limitations of rigorous database systems in conjunction with statistical tools;
• Describe the different types of database management systems, the ways these systems can provide data for analysis and interact with statistical software, and methods for evaluating technologies pertinent to both; and
• Assess database tools and the database functions of statistical software, with a view to explaining the impact of data management processes and procedures on their own research.

Cognate Field Requirement

• Identify important scientific problems in an area of biomedical or public health research outside of biostatistics/statistics (i.e., cognate field) that require the development of innovative biostatistical methodology for their solution;
• Review and evaluate the use of biostatistical methods in the cognate field of study;
• Demonstrate proficiency in the language of the cognate field; and
• Build productive collaborations across fields and disciplines.
• Review and illustrate selected principles of study design, probability theory, estimation, hypothesis testing, and data analytic techniques to public health students enrolled in all levels of graduate public health courses; and
• Explain advanced concepts in the theory of statistical inference to beginning and advanced graduate students in biostatistics and mathematical statistics.

Biostatistical Research

• Identify and integrate new developments in the statistical literature for challenging research problems in public health;
• Generate original computer code for new statistical techniques;
• Recognize gaps in current inferential methods that limit further public health research and propose solutions based on rigorous theoretical justification; and
• Develop guidelines for practical implementation and evaluation of public health research and programs.

Course Requirements

Course selection, done in consultation with academic advisors, is based on background, previous education, and research interests.

Students who already have a master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics enter the program with introductory course work already completed in the theories of probability and statistical inference. Students may then immediately register for the required three-semester sequence of advanced courses in the theory of statistical inference and asymptotic statistics. Students will also have had master’s level courses in regression analysis, experimental design, multivariate methods, and the analysis of categorical data and be able to register for advanced courses on these topics as well.

Students who enter with a bachelor's degree will take introductory coursework in probability, statistical inference, regression analysis and multivariate methods during the first year of the program.  

In addition to mastering course work in statistics, PhD students must satisfy a “cognate field” requirement to gain knowledge and expertise in a biomedical research field other than statistics/biostatistics. Examples of cognate fields of study include biomedical informatics, computational biology, environmental sciences, epidemiology, genomics, health policy research, human biology, physiology, and imaging. Students must take a minimum of two courses at the graduate level in the selected cognate field, chosen in consultation with their advisor and approved in writing by the Department chair or director of academic programs. The requirement is fulfilled when a grade of B or better is obtained in two cognate field courses, which should be completed by the end of the second year of study.

Consulting Experience

The consulting experience is designed to enable students to demonstrate their ability to integrate their academic studies with the role of biostatistical consultant/collaborator, which will comprise a major portion of their future professional practice. P9185 Doctoral Consulting Seminar is a course where students gain exposure to real world design, analysis, and report writing by helping CUMC investigators who come through the Biostatistical Consulting Service for design, data management, and statistical assistance.  Students are required to enroll in the Doctoral Consulting Seminar prior to taking the Statistical Applications Exam.  

PhD students are encouraged to take full advantage of graduate course offerings in other departments of the Mailman School of Public Health, other departments and schools of the Medical Center, and Columbia’s Morningside Heights Campus including, but not limited to, the Department of Statistics , to extend their knowledge of theory and methods, develop an area of expertise, and familiarize themselves with the content and issues specific to the biomedical or public health problem or application of their research.

PhD Curriculum

Students are required to take the following biostatistics courses, or to have taken the equivalent courses elsewhere with grades of B+ or better.

Required Courses

Residence and Registration Requirements

All PhD students are required to accumulate six Residence Units (RUs). A Residence Unit is the equivalent of a semester of full-time study. After one year of study, students who entered with a master's degree may apply for advanced standing of two RUs representing work completed in their master’s program. All PhD students are expected to attend full-time, especially during the research and dissertation phases of their program. A whole RU, Extended Registration (ER), or Matriculation and Facilities (M&F) are all considered full-time registration statuses. In instances of extreme financial hardship, students may be permitted to work part time during course work when tuition costs are higher.

The Department of Biostatistics offers a limited number of fellowships for students in both the DrPH and PhD doctoral programs. Admission to both doctoral programs is highly competitive, and departmental fellowships are awarded to the most outstanding applicants as funding allows. Full fellowship support consists of tuition and a stipend. International students are also eligible for departmental doctoral fellowships. As part of their fellowship training and duties, all doctoral fellows are expected to serve as Teaching Assistants for one or two courses each year.

To ensure full consideration for admission and funding, submit your completed online application by December 1st. Applicants interested in financial aid, including fellowship support, should indicate their interest on their online applications.

In addition to offering doctoral fellowships, the Department of Biostatistics participates in several other training programs listed below which provide funding for doctoral students. Training grant funding is limited to American citizens and permanent residents. Please refer to each of the following programs for their specific guidelines. Doctoral applicants who meet the additional eligibility criteria for any of the programs below should indicate their interest in that program on their application to the Department of Biostatistics as well.

Cancer Training Program

The multidisciplinary Cancer Training Program, directed by Dr. Alfred I. Neugut of the Department of Epidemiology and funded by the National Cancer Institute, supports both predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees involved in cancer-related studies and research, including students from the Department of Biostatistics. Fellows receive a stipend, partial tuition support, and travel funds. Predoctoral fellows are typically students in the Department’s PhD or DrPH programs who are interested in cancer biostatistics. Post-doctoral fellows may be MDs or PhDs from other areas of science who wish to acquire more training in cancer biostatistics, or holders of a doctoral degree in statistics or a related area who wish to develop a research specialization in cancer. For more information about the Cancer Training Program visit their website or contact: Brenda Scariff , Cancer Training Program Coordinator.

The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

The purpose of the National Institutes of Health-funded IMSD program is to increase the number of historically underrepresented students who receive doctoral training in public health. For more information about the IMSD program for full-time DrPH or PhD students in Biostatistics contact: Ana Abraido-Lanza, PhD , IMSD Program Director.

 [email protected]

• Degrees Offered

PhD in Biostatistics

Description.

The doctoral program in Biostatistics trains future leaders, highly qualified as independent investigators and teachers, and who are well-trained practitioners of biostatistics. The program includes coursework in biostatistics, statistics, and one or more public health or biomedical fields. In addition, successful candidates are required to pass PhD applied and theory exams and write a dissertation that reports the results of new biostatistical research undertaken by the candidate.

Likely Careers

Clinical medicine, epidemiologic studies, biological laboratory and field research, genetics, environmental health, health services, ecology, fisheries and wildlife biology, agriculture, and forestry.

Applicants usually have a degree in mathematics, statistics, or a biological field. All applicants should have the equivalent of 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics, including linear algebra, probability theory, and approximately 2 years of calculus.

Concurrent Option:    PhD/MD

Application Deadline:   Dec 1 - Autumn Quarter Entry

Competencies

Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD in Biostatistics, graduates will be able to:

• Meet the  learning objectives of the MS program in Biostatistics ;
• Recommend and defend appropriate choices of methods to analyze independent outcome data; 
• Implement non-standard statistical methods accurately and efficiently; 
• Provide rigorous proofs characterizing the properties of standard statistical methods;
• Consult effectively with other scientists, addressing statistical issues in the design and analysis of public health or biomedical studies; and
• Design and carry out biostatistical research that will propose a new statistical method or will provide new information about the properties of existing methods.

Learning objectives for the PhD program in Biostatistics in the Generic Pathway:  Upon satisfactory completion of the PhD program in Biostatistics in the Generic Pathway, graduates will be able to:

• Recommend and defend appropriate choices of methods to analyze longitudinal, clustered and other non-independent outcome data; 
• Develop expertise in an area of biostatistical methodology; explain the strengths and weakness of different statistical methods in that area; and
• Explain both orally and in writing how advanced statistical methods work, assessing their strengths and limitations, and the place of particular methods in the larger statistical literature.

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Biostatistics Graduate Programs

PhD in Biostatistics

The Biostatistics PhD program emphasizes both didactic and experiential learning. Program years 1 and 2 will include theoretical and applied classroom work in the core mathematical statistics and biostatistics courses, with additional electives in mathematics and/or computer science, and in the life sciences. The core courses incorporate classroom projects in theory and data analysis, and introduce literate programming and reproducible research practices. Year 2 requires a set of Biostatistics Rotations under the tutorship of a faculty mentor, using data drawn from collaborative projects in biomedical or public health sciences, with required oral and written presentations. The student will select, by the end of year 2, a primary advisor from among participating program faculty. Additional training in the biomedical area of application will occur in years 3 and 4. Throughout, the student will participate in presentations and discussions in a seminar series and journal club. The PhD thesis, completed in years 3-4 and potentially 5, will contain an original contribution of quality that would be acceptable for publication in the biostatistics literature, which extends the theory or methodology of biostatistics, or extends biostatistical methods to solve a critical problem in applied disciplines.

Degree requirements include 64 units of coursework from Mathematical Statistics (24 units), Biostatistics (29 units), Life Sciences (8 units) and Electives (3 units), and training in Human Subjects Research and Ethics. 

• PhD Milestones & Sample Program of Study
• PhD Course Requirements
• PhD Qualifying Exams & Dissertation Requirements
• PhD Milestones
• PhD Qualifying Exams & Dissertation

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• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Biostatistics PhD

• Major Coordinator Sally Olander 612-625-9185 [email protected]
• Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Extract and communicate meaning from complex biomedical data.

A biostatistician is an important part of many research teams. Working in close partnership with researchers across a wide array of scientific disciplines, a biostatistician designs studies and develops statistical tools to extract meaning from complex data.

With a biostatistics PhD, you’ll conduct original research, collaborate and consult with biomedical researchers, implement and disseminate results of this research, and teach and mentor others in this field.

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Biostatistics PhD Profiles

It’s been a unique experience being able to apply my data science knowledge [at Netflix].

John Ssenkusu

Biostatistics, PhD '18, is passionate about the potential to harness data to improve health.

Carlos Serrano

Originally I was planning to go to medical school. In fact, I applied before coming here.

Advantages of the Program

• Personal Attention. The PhD student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 1.5:1, one of the lowest of any biostatistics program in the nation.
• Impact. The Division of Biostatistics & Health Data Science (BHDS) plays a leadership role in many national and international clinical trials, including the first vaccine trial for Ebola and the largest HIV/AIDS treatment trial in history .
• Breadth. Interdisciplinary research includes collaborations across the University of Minnesota with the Medical School, College of Veterinary Medicine, the Carlson School of Management, the Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, the Supercomputing Institute, and Minnesota Population Center.
• Productivity. PhD students graduate with at least one peer-reviewed publication before graduation; many have three or more.
• Placement. Graduating students have gone on to faculty and postdoctoral positions at top research universities, as well as research leadership positions at government agencies and in private industry.

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Contact 420 Delaware St. S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-3500 [email protected]

colorado school of public health

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PhD in Biostatistics

This program will prepare you for advanced study and research in biostatistics. It's a great fit for students with a strong background in mathematics and statistics who are interested in working in health care and biological settings. As a student in this program, you'll function as an independent investigator or co-investigator with researchers in other areas, taking the lead in designing studies and analyses. Our faculty are studying the analysis of longitudinal data, clinical trials, statistical methods in genetics and genomics, causal modeling, treatment of missing data and imputation, image analysis, functional data analysis, and data visualization, which means you can find the mentor who's right for you. 

Quick facts, careers, and skills

When you leave this program, you'll be prepared to teach and carry out research developing new statistical methods.

Quick facts

Program location: CU Anschutz Credit hours: 79 Est. time to complete: 5-6 years (with MS)

Sample careers

Independent research investigator Lead or co-investigator Faculty & more

Skills you'll gain

Applied and theoretical statistics Computational statistics Study design and analysis & more

If you have an MS in Biostatistics or a related field, this program can be completed in three to four years. Typically, you'll spend the first one to two years devoted to coursework and the later years on research and your dissertation. Research and dissertation work involves developing, comparing, and evaluating statistical methods (e.g. methods for analyzing data), typically motivated by an application in healthcare or biology.​ Check out the Department of Biostatistics & Informatics FAQ page for more information about this program.

Required MS biostatistics courses

Required public health courses

MS electives

Required PhD biostatistics courses

PhD electives

Students are required to enroll in 9 credits of Elective PhD Biostatistics Courses. (Courses not listed require director approval)

Elective health sciences courses

Dissertation

Total credits: 80

Competencies, phd-bios competencies.

Support from the department

The past several years, all PhD students desiring funding have been supported on Research or Teaching Assistantships (RA/TA) that pay a stipend, tuition, and health insurance. Through these positions students conduct independent research as well as receiving real-world research and collaborative experience on a very large and active health sciences campus. PhD students are also required to serve at least one semester as a TA.

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PhD in Biostatistics

The PhD program in biostatistics (BIOS) is offered through Emory’s  Laney Graduate School . The program is designed for people with strong quantitative skills and a background or interest in the biological, medical, or health sciences. The program is ideal for students seeking to deepen their knowledge of biostatistics through advanced course work, research, analysis, and collaboration. To the extent possible, the curriculum can be tailored to each student’s individual background and interests.

View a list of BIOS graduate faculty and their research interests.

View a list of current  BIOS PhD students .

For data and demographics of the Biostatistics PhD program, please click here . 

Emory Biostatistics Doctoral Program Interest Event

We invite you to learn more about the program by attending the virtual information session. The event will occur October 18, 2024, at 9:00 am EST. Register for the session no later than October 15 by clicking here or by scanning the QR code.

Application Deadline

Apply early through laney graduate school.

Applications are accepted each fall  starting  in September with a December 1 deadline. Admissions are offered for the following fall only.

BIOS PhD Admission Requirements

How to Apply  

The following items are required for a successful and complete application submission:

• Degree: A minimum of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

• Multivariate calculus (typically Calculus III) 
• Linear algebra
• GRE scores taken within the last five years.
• Scores in the 50 th  percentile or higher are recommended
• Official TOEFL Scores for international students only. We do not accept alternative exams.  Select the Emory Laney Graduate School code 5187. More information below.
• Application  Fee: $75
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 are required.
• Statement of Purpose: in 500 words or less, tell us about your research or professional experience leading you to apply to this program. You are encouraged to share your research interest and how obtaining this degree will assist with your long-term goals.
• For applicants with a post-secondary degree from a non-US institution, a course by course educational credential evaluation is highly recommended. This will assist faculty with comparing the education of an international institution to a similar education at a U.S. institution.
• Acceptable credential evaluations from any evaluator affiliated with NACES, the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .  The most common ones are  World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators , and  Educational Perspectives .
• Diversity Statement : Optional

View the full list of the Laney Graduate School admission requirements here . You can also review Biostatistics admissions data on the school’s website.

*GRE scores are waived if the applicant has a doctoral degree from a U.S. institution in a relevant field.

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant , please review additional requirements to support the application through the Laney Graduate School. Biostatistics requires international applicants to submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

TOEFL scores should be at least 96 on the Internet-based test, 243 on the computer-based test, and 590 on the paper-based test. Students who earned a degree from an institution within the United States may be eligible to waive the TOEFL requirement.

GRE and TOEFL Scores

The Graduate School code for both test is 5187. Please note: do not use the code for the Rollins School of Public Health. Visit the  Educational Testing Service  site for additional information.

Finalist Interviews

A small number of finalist are required to interview with faculty. We anticipate notifying finalist mid- January for interviews via Zoom beginning late January and early February.

Admissions Applications Guidance

You are encouraged to begin your application process early especially if you’re submitting credential evaluations. The Biostatics Doctoral program receives more than 200 applicants for an incoming class of eight. To ensure your application advances for review, you must apply in a timely manner that ensures a complete application is received by December 1.

A complete application is defined as all required documents including required test scores and letters of recommendation. Follow up with your recommenders well in advance of December 1 to ensure they have the opportunity to provide information prior to the deadline.

  If your application is incomplete as of December 1, your application will not advance for review.

The program will host an information session annually in October. Please join us on October 18, 2024, at 9:00 am EST. Registration is required Please click here for the QR code. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Could you provide more information regarding the applicant pool and admitted students?

The Laney Graduate School maintains data for the program.  Biostatistics admissions data   can be found by clicking on the hyperlink?

Question: Is the GRE required?

The Biostatistics doctoral program requires GRE scores. Scores valid from the previous 5 years through December 1 are acceptable.

Question: What is your policy regarding transcripts?

You may upload a copy of your transcript(s) issued by a registrar’s office. Ensure we are able to open the document without a password. Printed information from an institutions student information system, including advisement reports are not acceptable.

Applicants with transcripts in a language other than English: Transcripts must be in English or accompanied by an official notarized translated document. You must upload the original and translated document as one file.

If you decide to submit a credential evaluation, ensure the evaluation service provide a copy of the transcript that was evaluated.

Official transcripts are required if offered admissions and at a designated time specified by the Laney Graduate Schools.

Question: I am an international student; do I need to submit TOEFL scores? Do you accept IELTS?

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL, scores for which are valid two years from the date of the exam. We must receive an official score from ETS by the application deadline.

TOEFL is waiver for applicants whose native language is not English but who have or will obtain a degree from a U.S. institution prior to beginning the program. In addition, students from country where English is the official language (except Quebec, Canada) and language of instruction.

We only accept TOEFL. 

Question : I am currently taking linear algebra or multivariant calculus. Will my application be considered?

If you are currently enrolled in in either or both of the prerequisite courses, provide documentation verifying enrollment. You may be contacted to provide an unofficial transcript.

Question: Does Biostatistics accept transfer students?

Students who are currently enrolled in a PhD program at another institution may apply to following the normal application process. Students enrolled at in a PhD program are required to follow the process as stated by the Laney Graduate School.

Question: Do you accept courses from Coursera to fulfill pre-requisites?

No, not at this time.

Question: Can I receive an extension to the application deadline?

The application deadline of December 1st is firm .  The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications immediately. As mentioned previously, you are encouraged to begin the application well before the last two weeks of the application cycle to ensure all required aspects of the application are met prior to December 1. The application remains open for five days after the December 1st deadline. 

Paying for your PhD

All full-time Emory PhD students receive a generous financial support package from the Laney Graduate School consisting of a tuition scholarship and stipend. Additionally, a 100% student health insurance subsidy is provided.

This support is for the first five years of the program, conditional upon being in good academic standing. Exceptionally qualified applicants will be considered for special admissions fellowships, which offers additional financial support up to five years contingent upon satisfactory academic performance.

Special Admissions Fellowships

In addition to the tuition scholarship, stipend and health insurance subsidy, Laney Graduate School offers special fellowships designed to address specific admission priorities. Please review these opportunities in the LGS Admissions financial support overview .

Degree Requirements

The appropriate class schedule is determined on a case-by-case basis through a review and a discussion of the student's academic record, academic interests, and previous experience in the biological and health sciences.

Students are required to enroll for a minimum of 9 credit hours each semester and term. It typically takes students two-to-three years to complete PhD coursework, depending on the number of 500-level courses needed, and two years to complete their dissertation. Students who have a master's degree in biostatistics or statistics are exempt from 500-level courses.

BIOS PhD Competencies

BIOS PhD Curriculum

BIOS Courses

RSPH Course Schedules

Please review the Biostatistics PhD and the Laney Graduate School Handbooks for additional information regarding degree requirements.

PhD Curriculum

The curriculum for each student is personalized according to a student’s educational background and research interest.

All PhD students must participate in the Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities (TATTO) program. This includes a two-day summer teacher training workshop (taken in the summer before the second year in the PhD program), serving as a teaching assistant during the second and third years in the program and practical experience in statistical consulting. Click here for more information.

All students are required to complete 12 credits of elective courses in biostatistics; at least 6 of these credits must be in 700-level courses.  Enrollment in the invited speaker’s seminar series (BIOS 790R) is required for the first two years of coursework in which 2 credit hours will count toward elective hours. In addition, students are required to complete 6 credits of elective courses (at the 500-level or above) outside of biostatistics; at least 2 of these credit hours must be in epidemiology for students who lack prior training in epidemiology. Students must maintain an average GPA of at least B- and a minimum of 54 credits must be taken as graded.

PUBH 701 and PUBH 700

All doctoral students are required to have training in public health. The primary means of obtaining this knowledge is through BIOS 701: Translational Public Health Research (1 credit hour) which is taken the fall semester of your second year.

Dissertation

All PhD students are required to complete and defend a dissertation. Students are encouraged to begin exploring potential research topics as soon as they enter the program by meeting with faculty advisors. 

The doctoral dissertation must meet the requirements of both the department and Laney Graduate School. In particular, the dissertation must make a new contribution to the student’s field of study, or present a unique new interpretation on existing knowledge. Students are required to pass an oral defense of the dissertation proposal. 

Past Dissertations

Bayesian Analysis for Repeated Compositional Data and Approaches for Correcting Measurement Errors in General Multivariate Linear Model

New Statistical Techniques for High-dimensional Neuroimaging Data

Likelihood Methods for Logistic Regression with Missing Data

View more>>

The Bioinformatics Interest Group (BIG) is open to PhD students across Emory University. The main purpose of the group is to promote collaboration, share research ideas, and invoke interest from students within the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, as well as across Emory University. Learn more >>

Statistics PhD Program

Financial aid.

PhD Statistics

M.A. Statistics & M.S. Biostatistics

PhD Students

Doctoral students receive a generous funding package that includes a full tuition scholarship, paid coverage through the Student Health Program (health insurance and mandatory health fee), and a competitive 10-month stipend while they are enrolled and making satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree.

No special application is required for the standard funding award. Funding is offered to every PhD student who is accepted into the program, regardless of the applicant’s citizenship status or background. The stipend is reviewed for possible increase annually, but is not guaranteed beyond the end of the 6 th year of study.

The fellowship award comes from the Dean for the first two years (excluding summers). Starting in Year 3, the department (as opposed to the Dean) assumes responsibility for funding, supporting students as research assistants on collaborative medical research grants (e.g., supporting data analyses), our NIEHS-funded training grant (T32) in Environmental Health Biostatistics, and grants supporting the development of statistical methodology (often linked to the student's dissertation research). We attempt to match each student with a project based on the mutual interests of the student and supervising faculty member.

The 10-month stipend is $28,050 for the 2024-2025 academic year (September 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) and $28,611 for the 2025-2026 academic year (September 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). While not guaranteed, students may, upon request, receive summer support (July-August) depending on funding availability.

The Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology recognizes the role of participation in scientific meetings and conferences in the professional development of our doctoral students and strongly encourages such participation. Each PhD student may apply for a maximum of $1,500 in support of travel expenses from central departmental funds over the course of their doctoral studies. Funds obtained from other sources, including awards provided directly by conference organizers, will be considered supplemental. Students are also encouraged to apply for travel awards in the School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Since 2023, the University of Rochester has been offering a childcare grant program for full-time PhD students, on University appointments, who are parents of children, newborn through age 6 (“student-parents”). The objective of this pilot program is to provide some financial assistance to PhD students with childcare expenses.

Master's Students

Most students pursuing Master’s degrees are self-funded. Contact the Bursar's Office for current tuition rates and fees.

The Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology offers a limited number of partial tuition scholarships for full-time study. Students will be notified separately if they are selected to receive a M.S. Biostatistics scholarship or M.A. Statistics scholarship .

Federal loans to help cover the costs of graduate study are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who qualify. In addition, many alternative loans are available to graduate students though private lenders. Full information and application materials are available from the Financial Aid Office .

International students requiring a F-1 student visa will need to provide financial documentation after accepting an admissions offer. Documentation to cover estimated expenses for at least one full year of study, including tuition and living expenses, is required before the Form I-20 will be issued.

It is strongly recommended that applicants identify personal or external funding options while simultaneously pursuing admission to the program, as the process often takes longer than expected.

After arriving in Rochester and beginning courses, Master's students may seek hourly-paid on-campus positions across the University of Rochester through the Student Employment Office.

In the News: Statistician ranked as the #1 Best Business Job for 2020 and in the Top 10 Best STEM Jobs according to U.S. News & World Report! Check out the list.

PhD in Biostatistics

Lead the future of biological data analysis with our doctorate in biostatistics..

Bayesian methods. Biomarker discovery. Machine learning. Experiment with these and other areas of research to examine causes and effects of disease as you harness your quantitative aptitude and sense of curiosity to pursue UMass Amherst’s PhD in biostatistics.

Designed to prepare you for research and teaching positions in academic institutions as well as leadership roles in health-related agencies, our program offers both major and minor areas of concentration. Core courses include graduate work in generalized linear models, Bayesian inference, survival analysis, as well as statistical theory. Every student is encouraged to select, in consultation with their academic advisor, the elective courses to take, based on their training, background, and interests.

Completion of a doctorate in biostatistics requires self-direction, independence, perseverance, and, naturally, quantitative aptitude. Evidence of these qualities plays an important role in our admissions decisions.

Related offerings

Students interested in our PhD in Biostatistics may also be interested in these other offerings.

• 4+1 Accelerated MS in Biostatistics
• MS in Biostatistics

Benefits list

Funding Your Education

Many PhD students are supported with research assistant (RA) positions funded by faculty grants. Doctoral students are also provided financial support via teaching assistant (TA) positions. All full-time PhD students are currently fully funded.

Partner With Research Centers and Institutes

You’ll find a wealth of opportunities in our campus research centers, including state-of-the-art research hubs like the  Institute for Applied Life Sciences , and international collaborations with researchers in the  Institute for Global Health , to support a wider breadth of research inquiries.

CEPH Accreditation

Every program in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences is fully accredited by the  Council of Education for Public Health , a key benefit of attending UMass.

Featured class

The goal of this course is to introduce statistical modeling approaches that are widely used in medical and public health research, including novel approaches developed in the past few years.

Featured faculty

Nicholas reich.

Focus on forecasting, machine learning, time series, infectious disease modeling, cluster-randomized trials.

Leontine Alkema

Focus on Bayesian inference; statistical demography; global child, maternal, and reproductive health.

Raji Balasubramanian

Metabolomic studies, pediatric HIV studies, measurement error in self-reported outcomes, study design, high-dimensional data and analysis of biological networks

Ken Kleinman

Focus on cluster-randomized trials, missing data, statistical software, electronic medical records

In the spotlight

"Biostatistics as a field has helped me find that niche of working collaboratively with other people who are trying to make the world a better place, and you're putting your math and data science skills to work in a way that feels important."

Application information & deadlines

Prospective students must apply first through the SOPHAS site and then the UMass Graduate School Supplemental Application, which will be emailed to you upon completion of the SOPHAS application.

Priority Deadline

December 1, 2024.

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who submit the application by Dec. 1.

Application Deadline

February 1, 2025.

The application deadline is Feb. 1.

Biostatistics

Advancing public health, medicine, and biology through statistics

• Graduate Admissions in Biostatistics
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• SPHHS Graduate Student Handbook
• Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology

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