Graduate Program: Biostatistics (MS)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Biostatistics (MS) 
Program Description

The Master of Science in Biostatistics is offered by the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.  The educational objective is to prepare individuals to work effectively as applied biostatisticians in a variety of public health, epidemiological and clinical research settings.  The difference between the MS in Biostatistics and the MPH concentration in Biostatistics is that the MS provides training in probability and statistical theory with a research focus, while the MPH provides a broader background in public health.  

The overall course of study for the MS degree will be developed by the student and their Faculty Advisor and approved by the student's Graduate Committee and Chair of the Biostatistics Section. On average, the MS program requires approximately two years for completion. The first year is usually devoted to core coursework and completion of the qualifying exam. The second year is focused on remaining coursework and development of the master's thesis research.

View more about the program and the curriculum at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/academics/masters/ms/biostatistics

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

College of Public Health -

Arizona's first and only accredited college of public health, the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health is uniquely situated in the culturally rich and diverse Southwest. Distinguished for our outstanding community-based research and for our focus on eliminating health disparities among populations of the Southwest and globally, the UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers tremendous opportunities to its students for education, research and community involvement.

The College of Public Health's interdisciplinary activities are enhanced by being part of the Arizona Health Sciences Center with campuses in Tucson and Phoenix. The College consistently ranks among the top five in American Indian and Hispanic graduates and students enrolled among accredited schools of public health, according to recent data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. In addition, the University of Arizona is one of only 62 members in the Association of American Universities, a prestigious organization that recognizes universities that have developed exceptionally strong overall research and academic programs.

 
College
College of Public Health  
Campus where offered
Main Campus - Tucson  
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Amy J Glicken
520-626-3201
Graduate Program Coordinator
Michael J Tearne
520-626-2112
Director of Graduate Studies
Edward John Bedrick
520-000-0000
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Christina M Inocencio
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree with GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • Strong quantitative skills
  • At least three semesters of college-level calculus through multivariable/vector calculus
  • One semester of linear algebra 
  • Documented experience with a computer programming language (C/C++, Fortran, Java, Python or equivalent) are strongly recommended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose and objectives
  • GRE scores (combined verbal and quantitative score of 1200 on the old test or 310 on the new test considered competitive)
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants

View more detailed admissions criteria at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/phd-biostats-admissions-criteria

Applications are to be submitted through SOPHAS, the centralized application service for accredited schools and programs of public health, at www.sophas.org.  

 
Standardized Tests

Required Test 
GRE - Send scores to the University of Arizona College of Public Health/SOPHAS, code 4253

International Students - Tests of English Proficiency
International applicants are required by the UA Graduate College to submit a TOEFL score of 90 on the iBT test. 

For students who take the IELTS examination, an overall score of 7 is required, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual band or module.  TOEFL and IELTS test scores must be dated within two years of the year of enrollment. 

Students may be requested to enter the Center for English as a Second Language to improve their verbal skills.

SOPHAS TOEFL Scores - Code 5688
SOPHAS IELTS Scores - Code SOPHAS

 
Financial Aid

A variety of funding is available in the form of scholarships/fellowships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships.  More information regarding tuition and financial assistance is available at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/prospective-students/tuition-financial-assistance

 
Admissions Deadlines

Fall Deadlines

Priority:  January 5
Secondary:  March 1
Late Rolling Admission:  After March 1, in the event that the program is not full, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 15.

Note:  Students who apply by the priority deadline will be given the highest priority for admissions and consideration for scholarships and assistantships.

 
International Conditional Admission
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0616

Degree Specifics

Degree Requirements

Required Major Courses (24 units)

  • EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
  • BIOS 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3)
  • BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
  • BIOS 576C Applied Biostatistics Analysis (3)
  • BIOS 647 Analysis of Categorical Data (3)
  • BIOS 688 Statistical Consulting (3)
  • MATH 564 Theory of Probability (3)
  • MATH 566 Theory of Statistics (3)

Elective Courses (9 units, at least 6 units from the following courses)*

  • BIOS 648 Analysis of High Dimensional Data (3)
  • BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies (3)
  • BIOS 684 General Linear and Mixed Effects Models (3)
  • BIOS 686 Survival Analysis (3)

Other elective courses:

  • BIOS 576D Data Management and the SAS Programming Language (3)
  • EPID 677 Genetic Association Studies (3)
  • BIOS 685 Special Topics in Biostatistics (3)
  • BIOS 687 Theory of Linear Models (3)
  • STAT 571A Advanced Statistical Regression Analysis (3)
  • STAT 571B Design of Experiments (3)
  • STAT 675 Statistical Computing (3)

*Electives may also be chosen from courses taught in other programs with approval of the Biostatistics Faculty Advisor.

Thesis (minimum 6 units)

  • Required Master's Thesis, BIOS 910 (1-6 units)

MS in Biostatistics Total Minimum Credit Requirement = 39 units

 
Minor Requirements
The Academic Unit has not provided this information. 
Student Handbook
https://publichealth.arizona.edu/graduate-students/handbooks  
Persistent link:
Last revised 06 Sep 2017