Biostatistics, MS

Donald Mercante, PhD
Professor and Academic Program Director

The Master of Science in Biostatistics is a two-year degree program with a minimum requirement of 42 semester hours of graduate work, not more than six hours of which is allowed for research and composition of a thesis, and not more than two credit hours of seminars. It begins with a core of basic biostatistical methods and statistical theory and continues with electives in biostatistical methods directly applicable to public health.

Entry requirements include calculus and linear algebra. In some cases, students deficient in entry requirements may be admitted, provided a remediation plan is developed and approved by the faculty.

CANDIDACY

A student advances to candidacy upon approval of the program and completion of 12 semester hours with at least a B average.

THESIS

When the thesis is nearly complete, the candidate will be required to present successfully the thesis in an open seminar. After the open seminar, students meet with their Research Advisory Committee for an oral examination.  To pass the examination, there may be no more than one negative vote among committee members.  The committee is comprised of three LSUHSC School of Graduate Studies Graduate Faculty, two of whom must also be full-time faculty in Biostatistics and Data Science.

The process for the defense and submission of the thesis includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

1. Schedule the defense before the deadline stated on the university’s Academic Calendar.
2. Students must submit a completed Request for Dissertation/Thesis Defense and Final Examination and a copy of the thesis abstract to the Office of Academic Affairs at least two weeks before the defense.
3. After the defense, students must submit the completed Dissertation/Thesis Defense Final Examination Report to the Office of Academic Affairs as well as an e-copy of the final thesis.

When students are entering their last semester, in addition to continuing meetings with their advisor, students must schedule an appointment with Ms. Martha Cuccia in the SPH Office of Academic Affairs.  She will review the procedures for the electronic submissions of the thesis.

PUBLICATION

After the defense, students must submit at least two copies of the printed thesis for binding. The two copies are for the LSUHSC library and for the School of Public Health. Binding expenses are covered with graduation fees that appear in the fee bill, however all printing costs are the responsibility of the student. Students may order additional copies at a cost of $15 each for binding; this fee may be paid by check or money order made out to LSUHSC. 

Students must also submit the thesis to ProQuest for electronic publication at the following link: https://secure.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/etdadmin_login?form=etdadmin&request_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.etdadmin.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fstudent%2Fetd

TIME TO DEGREE COMPLETION

The Master of Science must be completed in no more than four years.  Any requests for an extension of this policy are subject to approval by the student’s Research Advisory Committee, the ADAA and the Dean.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

The LSUHSC-NO Schools of Graduate Studies and Public Health require one academic year, two semesters, or four summer terms as the minimum residence requirement. Two years of residence represent a more realistic average. Exceptions may be made by petition to the School Dean.