To complete this degree, you will take a combination of required biostatistics courses, public health courses, biostatistics elective courses, a doctoral minor, further elective courses, independent studies, and directed dissertation research (30 credits) that together total 90 credits. The specific distribution of courses is as follows:
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-P 517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 571 Linear Models and Categorical Data Analysis (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 573 Applied Survival Data Analysis (3 credits) or STAT-I 536 Introduction to Survival Analysis
- PBHL-B 574 Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 626 Advanced Biostatistical Inference (3 credits) or STAT-I 528 Mathematical Statistics I (3 credits)
- STAT-I 519 Introduction to Probability (3 credits)
- STAT-I 526 Multivariate Analysis and Generalized Linear Models (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 582 Introduction to Clinical Trials (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 584 Biostatistics Practicum (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 670 Statistical Learning and High Dimensional Data Analysis (3 credits)
- STAT-I 628 Advanced Statistical Inference (3 credits)
Select 4 for a total of 12 credits; at least 6 credits at the 600 level.
- PBHL-B 520 Introduction to Statistical Learning (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 581 Biostatistics Computing (3 credits)or PBHL-B 552 Fundamentals of Data Management (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 616 Advanced Statistical Computing (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 636 Advanced Survival Analysis (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 646 Advanced Bayesian Statistical Models (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 656 Advanced Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 670 Causal Inference (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 670 Adaptive Clinical Trial Design (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 670 Topics in Public Health (3 credits)
- PBHL-B 698 Research Course (3 credits)
- *Any math or statistics course at the 500 or 600 level with advisor approval
Candidates for the PhD degree may petition for up to 30 hours of graduate credit from other institutions. Students should submit the Petition for Approval of Transfer Course form to initiate the process and receive approval to apply a course completed at a different institution toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.
Normally, a course may not apply toward degree requirements if it was completed more than seven years prior to the passing of the preliminary examination. Students must submit the Petition For Course Revalidation form to initiate an appeal process and receive approval to apply an expired course toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.
Public Health Core Courses
Every student in the program is also required to complete a fundamental epidemiology course and introductory courses in public health for a total of 6 credits:
- PBHL-P 517 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- PBHL-P 510 Introduction to Public Health
Required Coursework
Every student in the program is required to complete the following eight courses:
- STAT-51200 Applied Regression Analysis
- STAT-51900 Introduction to Probability*
- STAT-52500 Generalized Linear Model*
- STAT-52800 Mathematical Statistics I*
- STAT-53600 Introduction to Survival Analysis*
- PBHL-B 574 Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis*
- PBHL-B 582 Introduction to Clinical Trials
- PBHL-B 584 Biostatistics Practicum
*Indicates program core courses
Any four of the following:
- STAT-61900 Probability Theory
- STAT-62800 Advanced Statistical Inference
- PBHL-B 616 Advanced Statistical Computing
- PBHL-B 626 Advanced Likelihood Theory
- PBHL-B 636 Advanced Survival Analysis
- PBHL-B 646 Advanced Generalized Linear Models
- PBHL-B 656 Advanced Longitudinal Data Analysis
In addition, every student must take an additional six credit hours of statistics/biostatistics courses. At least three credit hours of these electives must be taken from 600-level courses or above.
The remaining 42 credit hours will be taken as additional coursework in a minor area (12 credits), further elective courses, independent studies, and directed dissertation research (at minimum 24 credits). This totals to 90 credit hours for the biostatistics program. The minor may be completed in any area related to the health and life sciences disciplines, such as pharmacology and toxicology, epidemiology, genetics, biology, physiology, bioinformatics, health policy, translational science and health economics, among many others.
Elective Coursework
Students must submit the Petition For Approval Of Elective Course form to initiate an appeal process and receive approval to apply a course completed in a different department toward their degree. Students must provide, at minimum, the syllabus for the course under evaluation. Other documentation may be requested.