Master of Science (MS) in Biostatistics

Each concentration identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the MS curriculum in Biostatistics will be able to:

• MS-BIST1: Apply probability and statistical methods to design experimental and observational studies in biomedical, clinical, and public health research;
• MS-BIST2: Use probability and statistical theory to evaluate and identify appropriate methods of analysis;
• MS-BIST3​: Conduct appropriate statistical analysis of data to solve medical and public health problems;
• MS-BIST​4​​​​: Use a variety of statistical computer packages; and
• MS-BIST5: Communicate the results of statistical studies both in writing and orally to investigators and lay community members.

Students seeking the MS in Biostatistics degree must complete 30 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.0; earn no more than six (6) credits bearing grades less than “B,” and complete the degree requirements within four years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted and semester when each course is typically offered is noted parentheses. Students should review the Forward Schedule for long-term course planning and the Course Schedule for each semester to determine when, where, and how a course is offered.

 PREREQUISITES

• 3 credits in college biology, human behavior, social or health science
• 3 credits in college calculus
• Demonstration of computer competence

CORE COURSES (6 credits)

• PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (Fall/Spring/Summer)
• PHCO 0512 - Public Health Foundations (Spring)

REQUIRED COURSES (18 credits) Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.

• BIST 0610 - Advanced Regression Methods for Public Health Studies (Spring)
• BIST 0613 - Biostatistics Theory I (Fall)
• BIST 0614 - Biostatistics Theory II (Spring)
• BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis (Fall)
• BIST 0625 - Fundamentals of Biostatistics (Fall)

-also-

Choose one of the following two:

• BIST 0627 - Applied Survival Data Analysis (Spring)
• BIST 0650 - Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis (Fall)

RESEARCH (0 credits)

•  RESH 0600 - Master of Science Research

 RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits)

• BIST 0660 - Clinical Trial: Design and Analysis of Medical Experiments (Spring)
• BIST 0663 - Statistical Learning for Biomedical Studies (Fall)
• EPID 0678 - Analysis Real-World Pharmacoepidemiological Data (Fall)

Students may choose elective courses from courses not taken in the selective list for the concentration, from across Rutgers School of Public Health, or from other Rutgers graduate programs, such as the Department of Statistics or the Department of Computer Science, with faculty advisor approval.

 Other Requirements

•  Research paper (as part of Master of Science Research)
• Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training on Human Subject Research Protections (For Students Enrolled Fall 2024 and After)