Biostatistics, MS

Zhide Fang, PhD
Professor and Director

The School of Public Health offers a master of science degree in biostatistics, that comprise both formal classroom instruction and guided research with faculty mentors trained at top universities nationally and internationally. The program prepares students for careers in industry and government as well as for advanced study at the doctoral level. All students entering the master of science program will receive a foundation in public health knowledge and an understanding of the manner in which their specific field of study contributes to achieving the goals of public health.

Admissions

Admission is competitive. Applicants should have a bachelor degree in a relevant field.  A background in health or biological sciences is desirable, but not required. Applicants should have strong quantitative aptitude and skills including calculus I, II, and III and linear algebra.

Requirements for the Degree

• Residence - 1 academic year, 2 semesters, or 4 summer terms represents the minimum requirement. 2 years residence represents a more realistic average. 
   
• Semester Hours - Minimum requirement is 39 semester hours of graduate work, not over six hours of which is allowed for research and composition of a thesis, and not more than 2 credit hours of seminars.
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• Transfer Credit - Candidates for the M.S. degree may receive up to 10 hours of transfer credit at the discretion of the biostatistics program, provided they have completed the courses, which are comparable to Schools of Graduate Studies and Public Health courses in another graduate level institution, and satisfy the subject matter requirements. No transfer credit is permitted for course work receiving a grade below B. Transfer of the credit does not reduce the residency requirement. 
   
• Candidacy - A student becomes a candidate if the student has completed 12 semester hours of work with at least a B average and has received program approval. 
   
• Foreign Language - There is no School of Graduate Studies requirement for foreign languages. 
   
• Thesis Instructions - Instructions on the preparation of the thesis may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies website. For the planned graduation date, the student should check the school calendar date for the final date for the submission of the thesis to the School of Graduate Studies. Final approval of the thesis rests with a committee of not less than 3 graduate faculty members nominated by the head of the department, and appointed by the dean. The dean may serve as a member or may appoint members to the committee.