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Program Details

Graduate Program: Biostatistics (PHD)

General Information

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Program/Degree
Biostatistics (PHD)  
Program Description

The PhD in Biostatistics is offered by the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The doctoral degree program in Biostatistics will have an emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and will require its graduates to complete rigorous training in applied probability and statistical analyses. This program prepares students who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics and the sciences to become research biostatisticians in academia, industry, or government.

To the extent possible, the curriculum of each student will be tailored to his or her background and interests. 

The doctoral program requires approximately four to five years for completion. The first two years of this time are usually devoted to coursework, the comprehensive doctoral examinations, and development of doctoral research. The program is research oriented and centers on a major research project. The overall course of study is developed by the student and the Faculty Advisor, and is approved by the student's Graduate committee and the Chair the Biostatistics Section. Students will be required to defend their dissertation through a public presentation and oral examination with their committee.

View more about the program and the curriculum at:  http://publichealth.arizona.edu/academics/doctoral-programs/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

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Courtney Faryab
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
Tammy Tran
520-621-0119
 
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
  • Master's degree in Biostatistics, Statistics, or a similar field 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, R or equivalent) is strongly recommended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of purpose and objectives
  • Writing sample
  • Mission and values statement
  • 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

Optional 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 (web-based) 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

 
Funding Opportunities

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

Federal Financial Aid  https://financialaid.arizona.edu/apply-for-aid/graduate-professional

 
Admissions Deadlines

Fall Deadlines

Priority:  December 1
Secondary:  April 1

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

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

74 

Core Coursework Requirements

Required PhD Courses (35 units) 

  • MATH 564 Theory of Probability (3)
  • MATH 566 Theory of Statistics (3)
  • EPID 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
  • BIOS 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
  • BIOS 685 Special Topics in Biostatistics (3)
  • BIOS 687 Theory of Linear Models (3)
  • BIOS 688 Statistical Consulting (3)
  • STAT 571B Design of Experiments (3)
  • STAT 675 Statistical Computing (3)
  • PHCL 595B Scientific Writing, Presentation and Bioethics (2)
  • BIOS 696S Biostatistics Seminar (1 unit; 2 times)
  • HPS 609 Evaluating Public Health Literature (1)
  • BIOS 585 Public Health Fundamentals for Researchers (3)

Elective Courses* (minimum 12 units required)

Note:  BIOS 576A, Biostatistics in Public Health (3 units), is considered a prerequisite, which will have been met by most entering students.

Minor Courses (minimum 9 units)

Dissertation (minimum 18 units)

PhD in Biostatistics - Total Minimum Credit Requirements = 74 units

 
Elective Coursework

Elective Courses* (minimum 12 units)

  • BIOS 576C Applied Biostatistics Analysis (3)
  • BIOS 576D Data Management and the SAS Programming Language (3)
  • BIOS 647 Analysis of Categorical Data (3)
  • BIOS 648 Analysis of High Dimensional Data (3)
  • BIOS 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies (3)
  • EPID 677 Genetic Association Studies (3)
  • BIOS 686 Survival Analysis (3)

**Electives may also be chosen from other Statistics or Mathematics courses with approval of the Biostatistics Faculty.

 
Additional Requirements

Doctoral Qualifying Exam

All doctoral students must pass a written Qualifying Exam (commonly referred to as the “QE”) after their first year of study. The exam is designed to ensure that students have the necessary background to continue with more advanced courses. The exam includes both Theory and Application sections. The exam is offered early in summer at a time announced at the beginning of the preceding spring semester.


The material covered on the exam is based on the following courses:

  • Theory of Probability (STAT 564/MATH 564)
  • Theory of Statistics (STAT 566/MATH 566)
  • Biostatistics in Public Health (BIOS 576A)
  • Biostatistics for Research (BIOS 576B)

Students must have completed each of these courses with a grade of A or B to be eligible for the exam.

Transfer of Credits from a Master’s Program to the Doctoral Plan of Study

Students who enter the Biostatistics PhD program after completion of a Biostatistics MPH/MS may use 23 units of Biostatistics related courses towards the Doctorate in Biostatistics (PhD).

Previously Earned Coursework

Per the Biostatistic Program's policy, coursework being considered for the doctoral program, should be less than 10 years old at the time the student begins the program.

 
Minor Requirements for Doctoral Students in this Program

Minor Courses (minimum 9 units)
Each PhD student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of course work in a minor area. The minor area of study specifies the number of required minor units. This should consist of a coherent set of courses in an area (or in related areas) of application of biostatistics; the courses may be from more than one program. Minor courses should be primarily applied as opposed to mathematics/statistical in nature. Many minor require more than 9 units.

Biostatistics doctoral students often minor in Epidemiology and Pharmacology/Toxiology.

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

Program-level Information
Application Acceptance Rate 76.47%
Avg. Time-to-degree (years) 6.52
 
Department-level Information
Enrollment Percent Male 66.67%
Enrollment Percent Female 33.33%
Enrollment Percent International 25.93%
Enrollment Percent URM 14.81%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2022.
  • Average Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2018-2022) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/BIOSPHD
Last revised 21 Mar 2022
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