Biostatistics

Department Overview

Founded in 1970, the Department of Biostatistics is a leader in statistical sciences. Its 78 faculty include a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, two members of the Institute of Medicine, and 20 fellows of the American Statistical Association. Four hundred eighty-eight alumni hold leadership roles in academia, government, and industry worldwide. The department is a center for development and application of statistical methodology across the health sciences, and has collaborative partnerships with Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, Group Health Cooperative, and the Veteran's Administration. To complement research, the department recently established the Center for Biomedical Statistics to provide consulting and collaborative services.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
H655 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 sciences are undergoing major changes in their development as quantitative sciences. As technological advances generate huge quantities of information, biostatistical tools and concepts are critical for the analysis of these 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 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 other health science disciplines.

Because of faculty involvement in diverse statistical applications, the department produces graduates at all levels. Students are recruited from programs in mathematics, statistics, and biology and are selected on the basis of quantitative ability.

Master of Public Health

This track combines broad training in public health with specific training in biostatistics. The track includes core courses in biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health services, and social and behavioral sciences. In addition, successful candidates are required to complete a public health practicum and write a research-based master's thesis. The degree is designed for individuals who anticipate careers as data analysts in public health research or practice and for individuals who plan doctoral work in public health or biomedical field, but who want more methodological training than those PhD programs offer.

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 MPH pathway, a candidate must hold a doctoral-level degree in another field (e.g., MD, PhD, JD) or be currently working on such a doctoral degree. Candidates who have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree are not awarded the Biostatistics-pathway MPH until they are awarded their doctoral degree. All other prerequisites and required materials are the same for MS, MPH, and PhD applicants.

Degree Requirements

In addition to meeting the minimum Graduate School requirements, students must also obtain a minimum of 64 credits minimum, as follows:

63 credits minimum, as follows:

1. Biostatistics core courses: A minimum grade of 3.0 in each of BIOST 514 (4), BIOST 515 (4); BIOST 524 (3); BIOST 536 (4), BIOST 537 (4); BIOST 580 (3); BIOST 590 (3)
2. Non-biostatistics core courses: EPI 512 (4), EPI 513 (4); HSERV 510 (3); HSERV 511 (3); ENV H 511 (3); G H 515 (4). All non-biostatistics core courses must be taken for a numerical grade and earn a minimum grade of 2.7 in each non-biostatistics core course with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
3. Biostatistics elective courses: 6 credits of any approved biostatistics MS elective, or STAT 512 or STAT 513
4. Biostatistics MPH practicum: BIOST 595 (3). 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.
5. Master's thesis: 9 credits of BIOST 700

Visit department website, www.biostat.washington.edu/grad, for the most up-to-date information on degree requirements.

Master of Science

The Master of Science program offers advanced training in biostatistics. The program includes coursework in biostatistics, statistics, and one or more biomedical fields. In addition, successful candidates are required to pass a master's theory examination and write a research-based master's thesis. The degree is designed for individuals who anticipate a career as a data analyst in public health or biomedical research or practice and for individuals who plan doctoral work in a public health or biomedical field, but want more methodological training than those PhD programs offer.

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 MS 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

63 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 534/BIOST 534, STAT 535/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 PhD 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 PhD 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 PhD student enrolls in STAT 512 and STAT 513, he or she must take the MS theory examination the following June for advisory purposes. PhD students must also take the PhD statistical theory examination during the summer following enrollment in STAT 581, STAT 582, STAT 533 and the PhD 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 PhD applied examination by one year. If either examination is failed, it must be passed the following year.
6. Students in the PhD 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.