Biostatistics

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
F600 Health Sciences, Box 357232
206-543-1044
bioadmit@uw.edu

The Department of Biostatistics offers Master of Science, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in quantitative methods applied to the medical and biological sciences. Biology, medicine, and health services are undergoing major changes in their development as quantitative sciences. As technological advances find expression in new research tools, new theoretical concepts are being employed in the analysis of quantitative data. The techniques and viewpoints of mathematics and statistics, traditionally peripheral to biology and medicine, are now woven into the fabric of the life sciences, thereby providing exciting new opportunities in research and teaching.

Many universities have instituted programs relating mathematics or statistics to one particular biological field. The goal of the biostatistics graduate program is to equip students to develop and apply the quantitative techniques of mathematics, statistics, and computing appropriate to medicine, biology, and health services.

Because of the quality of the faculty and their involvement in a diversity of statistical applications, as well as the quality of the students, students receive an excellent education. Students are recruited from undergraduate programs in mathematics, statistics, and biology and are selected on the basis of outstanding quantitative ability.

Master of Public Health

Admission Requirements

Applicants to Biostatistics graduate programs are formally applying to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Although all acceptance decisions are made within the Biostatistics Department, the Graduate School imposes certain minimum admission requirements. Applicants must therefore submit both a general application directly to the Graduate School and a specific application to the Biostatistics Department.

To be considered for admission to the Biostatistics M.P.H. pathway, a candidate must hold a doctoral-level degree in another field (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., J.D.) or be currently working on such a doctoral degree. Candidates who have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree will not be awarded the Biostatistics-pathway M.P.H. until they are awarded their doctoral degree. All other prerequisites and required materials are the same for M.S., M.P.H., and Ph.D. applicants.

Degree Requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum Graduate School requirements, students must also obtain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in each of the biostatistics core courses (BIOST 514, BIOST 515, BIOST 524, BIOST 536, BIOST 537), a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 in non-biostatistics core courses (EPI 512, EPI 513, HSERV 511, ENV H 511, P BIO 511, and HSERV 510), and earn a minimum GPA of 2.70 in each non-biostatistics core course

63 credits minimum, as follows:

1. Biostatistics core courses: BIOST 514, BIOST 515 (8); BIOST 524 (3); BIOST 536, BIOST 537 (8); BIOST 580 (3); BIOST 590 (3); BIOST 700 (9). (Note: BIOST 514, BIOST 515, BIOST 524, BIOST 536, and BIOST 537 must be taken for a numerical grade.)
2. Non-biostatistics core courses: EPI 512, EPI 513 (8); HSERV 511 (3); HSERV 510 (3-4); ENV H 511 (3); P BIO 511 (3). All non-biostatistics core courses must be taken for a numerical grade.
3. Biostatistics elective courses: 6 credits of any approved biostatistics M.S. elective, or STAT 512 or STAT 513
4. Biostatistics M.P.H. practicum: MPH students must also complete a practicum experience for 3 credits in an organization or agency that provides planning or services relevant to public health.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

Applicants to Biostatistics graduate programs are formally applying to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Although all acceptance decisions are made within the Biostatistics Department, the Graduate School imposes certain minimum admission requirements. Applicants must therefore submit both a general application directly to the Graduate School and a specific application to the Biostatistics Department.

Potential M.S. students may enter the graduate program in biostatistics from an undergraduate major in mathematics, statistics, or a biological field. Students are occasionally admitted with backgrounds in other fields; however, all applicants must have 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics to include two years of calculus (to include multivariate calculus), one course in linear algebra, and one course in probability theory.

Degree Requirements

73 credits minimum, as follows:

1. Required Courses: BIOST 514 (4), BIOST 515 (4), BIOST 536 (4), BIOST 537 (4), BIOST 580 (1, max. 9), STAT 512 (4), STAT 513 (4)
2. Elective credits: 12 required elective credits must be taken, with at least 6 credits of elective courses with a methodology emphasis, and 6 credits of electives with a biology or public health emphasis (list provided).
3. Biostatistical consulting: BIOST 590 (3).
4. Master's thesis: 18 credits of BIOST 700
5. Computer proficiency: The department requires a basic level of computing proficiency from all graduates, but encourages them to take the opportunity to gain greater expertise with a variety of computing tools. The computing proficiency requirement is met when a student writes and documents a computer program sophisticated enough to demonstrate the necessary basic competence in programming, or completes an approved programming course. The student's faculty adviser can approve the proficiency requirement or refer the matter to an ad hoc faculty committee for approval. Approved courses include STAT/BIOST 534, STAT/BIOST 535, and CSE 142.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Applicants to Biostatistics graduate programs are formally applying to the Graduate School of the University of Washington. Although all acceptance decisions are made within the Biostatistics Department, the Graduate School imposes certain minimum admission requirements. Applicants must therefore submit both a general application directly to the Graduate School and a specific application to the Biostatistics Department.

Potential Ph.D. students may enter the graduate program in biostatistics from an undergraduate major in mathematics, statistics, or a biological field. Students are occasionally admitted with backgrounds in other fields; however, all applicants must have 30 or more quarter credits in mathematics and statistics to include two years of calculus (to include multivariate calculus), one course in linear algebra, and one course in probability theory.

Degree Requirements

Minimum 100 credits, as follows:

1. Required courses: BIOST 514 (4); BIOST 515 (4); BIOST 533 (3); BIOST 570 (3); BIOST 571 (3); BIOST 572 (3); BIOST 580 (1, max. 9); MATH 574, MATH 575, MATH 576 (3, 3, 3) or equivalent.; STAT 512, STAT 513 (4, 4); STAT 581, STAT 582, STAT 583 (3, 3, 3).
2. Students must earn a minimum 3.0 grade in each of the required courses. At the faculty's discretion, qualifying exam performance may outweigh a course grade below the minimum. (Note: The minimum grade requirement for elective courses is 2.7.)
3. Elective credits: 15 elective credits must be taken, consisting of at least 6 credits of elective courses with a methodology emphasis and 9 credits of elective with a biology or public health emphasis (list provided).
4. In addition to the above courses, students in the Ph.D. program must complete 36 credits of BIOST 800, write a dissertation, complete a consulting class, and demonstrate proficiency in a computer language.
5. If a Ph.D. student enrolls in STAT 512 and STAT 513, he or she must take the M.S. theory examination the following June for advisory purposes. Ph.D. students must also take the Ph.D. statistical theory examination during the summer following enrollment in STAT 581, STAT 582, STAT 533 and the Ph.D. applied examination during the summer following enrollment in BIOST 570, BIOST 571, and BIOST 572; or, if both STAT 581, STAT 582, STAT 583 and BIOST 570, BIOST 571, and BIOST 572 are taken in the same year, the student may elect to delay the Ph.D. applied examination by one year. If either examination is failed, it must be passed the following year.
6. Students in the Ph.D. program must also complete a biology project, and pass the general and final examinations.
7. Computer Proficiency: The department requires a basic level of computing proficiency from all graduates, but encourages them to take the opportunity to gain greater expertise with a variety of computing tools. The computing proficiency requirement is met when a student writes and documents a computer program sophisticated enough to demonstrate the necessary basic competence in programming, or completes an approved programming course. Approved courses include: STAT/BIOST 534, STAT/BIOST 535; and CSE 142.