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Rutgers School of Public Health

Biostatistics & Epidemiology

Master of Science (MS) in Biostatistics (30 credits)

The MS in Biostatistics is offered by the Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology on the New Brunswick location. MS in Biostatistics students will have the comprehensive knowledge and technical skills needed for planning and conducting statistical analyses for studies. The objectives of the MS in Biostatistics program are: (1) to educate graduate students as biostatisticians at the Masters level with the ability to collaborate and consult with researchers of other disciplines in the biomedical and public health sciences, (2) to meet the need for well-trained masters-level biostatisticians for the pharmaceutical industry, medical research institutions and public health and other governmental organizations in New Jersey and nation-wide, and (3) to identify and educate promising doctoral students in Biostatistics. The proposed program is designed to provide qualified students with comprehensive knowledge and technical skills needed for planning and conducting statistical analyses for studies that are required for evidence-based medicine, epidemiology survey and public health policy decisions. In addition, for those graduate students who may intend to continue their studies towards a PhD in Biostatistics, the MS in Biostatistics program will equip them with the necessary training and preparation for further advanced studies and research.

For more information contact:

Jason Roy, PHD
Chair, Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology
732-235-9168

Competencies

Competencies for the Master of Science in Biostatistics (30 credits)

Each Department 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:

  • Apply probability and statistical methods to design experimental and observational studies in biomedical, clinical, and public health research
  • Use probability and statistical theory to evaluate and identify appropriate methods of analysis
  • Conduct appropriate statistical analysis of data to solve medical and public health problems
  • Use a variety of statistical computer packages
  • Communicate the results of statistical studies both in writing and orally to investigators and lay community members

Curriculum

Curriculum for the Master of Science in Biostatistics (30 credits)

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.

  • 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 (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0512 - Public Health Foundations
  • REQUIRED COURSES (18 credits) Note: 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
    • BIST 0613 - Biostatistics Theory I (or 16:960:592 within Department of Statistics, Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences)
    • BIST 0614 - Biostatistics Theory II (or 16:960:593 within Department of Statistics, Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences)
    • BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis
    • BIST 0625 - Fundamentals of Biostatistics
    • -also-
  • Choose one of the following two:
    • BIST 0627 – Applied Survival Data Analysis (formerly BIST 0616 - Lifetime Data Analysis)
    • BIST 0650 - Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis
  • RESEARCH (0 credits)
    • RESH 0600 - Master of Science Research
  • RECOMMENDED ELECTIVE COURSES (6 credits)
    • BIST 0630 - Sampling Methods
    • BIST 0655 - Biocomputing II
    • BIST 0660 - Clinical Trial: Design and Analysis of Medical Experiments
    • BIST 0687 - Biostatistics for Environmental and Occupational Health
    • BIST 0688 - Statistical Methods in Genetics
    • BIST 9619 - Design of Experiments
    • BIST 9655 - Nonparametric Statistics
  • Other Requirements
    • Comprehensive examination
    • Research paper