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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
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 of Public Health
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
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.
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
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
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 applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0616
74
Required PhD Courses (35 units)
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 Courses* (minimum 12 units)
**Electives may also be chosen from other Statistics or Mathematics courses with approval of the Biostatistics Faculty.
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:
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 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.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 81.82% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 6.25 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 68.42% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 31.58% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 26.32% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 5.26% |