The Emphasis in Biostatistics requires two biostatistics courses. One additional course is required and may be selected from topics in probability, categorical data, sample survey, nonparametrics, and multivariate analysis. In order to complete the M.S. degree requirements, students must take a written exam involving the analysis of two applied problems, plus an oral defense of the solutions. This is usually done during the second year. At the Ph.D. level, three biostatistics courses are required as part of the usual Ph.D. degree.
Students typically spend a total of two and one-half to three years taking course work.
A written Ph.D. qualifying exam is required plus an oral preliminary examination and a dissertation. For the PhD degree, an additional required course is Statistics 741, a course which covers theoretical and methodological aspects of survival analyses. A two semester sequence covering regression and linear models is also required. Financial support, awarded on a competitive basis, is available through project, research, and teaching assistantships as well as traineeships if the candidate is a U.S. citizen. Considerable opportunity exists for both M.S. and Ph.D. graduates in industry, government, and medical centers.