Summary

Introduction

Graduate study in Biostatistics prepares students for careers in the application of statistical and mathematical methods to the design and analysis of health research and biomedical studies and to the planning and evaluation of health services programs.  Career opportunities are found in government, private industry, medical research institutions, and universities.  Demand for Biostatistics graduates is high, and graduates of our program have their choice of a variety of attractive job offers. 

To work effectively in the health field, a biostatistician must be knowledgeable about health issues and statistical methods and ideas.  Thus, each student's program includes training in both the 'bio', or life science, and 'statistics' portions of Biostatistics; these two components of training complement each other.

The statistics portion aims to develop understanding and strength in the theory and applications of statistics.  A wide range of courses is offered on statistical theory and application.  A specific objective for training in a 'bio' area is that the student develops sufficient knowledge for effective collaboration with scientists in that area.

Residential M.S., M.P.H. and Ph.D. Programs

The residential graduate curriculum in Biostatistics includes three degree programs; Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).  The M.S. and Ph.D. programs are administered through the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies and the M.P.H. is administered through the School of Public Health.  The statistics portions of all of these programs include courses in biostatistical theory and methods.  The 'bio' part of both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs consists of a concentration in a single cognate area to which statistics may be applied.  This area may be selected from departments within the School of Public Health such as Epidemiology or Environmental Health Sciences, from areas such as physiology or human genetics in the Medical School, or from other areas such as psychology, biology, sociology, or economics.  Thus, a student has considerable flexibility in planning an individual program of study.  The 'bio' part of the M.P.H. program consists of a core program in public health and includes a broad exposure to public health fields.

During the 2005-2006 academic year, 24 teaching faculty members have academic appointments in the Department of Biostatistics, 20 of whom have their primary appointment in the department.  This Fall, there are 143 graduate students, 45 in the Ph.D. program, 55 in the M.S. program, 3 in the M.P.H. program, and 40 in the non-residential M.S. program in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis.

Non-residential M.S. program in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis

In addition to its residential programs, the Department of Biostatistics also offers an M.S. Program in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis in a non-residential On-Job/On-Campus (OJ/OC) format.  Students in this program come to the Department for a four-day weekend each month for eighteen months.  The program provides a means for health care professionals involved in clinical research to develop appropriate expertise in research design and statistical analysis while remaining in their current employment.  The program is not intended to be a substitute for the residential M.S. or M.P.H. programs in Biostatistics and in particular does not prepare students for doctoral study in Biostatistics.  For further information about this program, please contact Nichole Fenech, Student Services Associate, OJ/OC M.S. Program in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 by email at fenechn@umich.edu or call (734) 615-9817. 

The Public Health Genetics Interdepartmental Concentration

Advances in genetics are occurring at a rapid pace, challenging our collective ability to respond to the many social, legal, ethical, and public health policy implications.  The Public Health Genetics Interdepartmental Concentration (PHGIC) provides an opportunity for future public health professionals to gain an understanding of the effects of genes on health and disease and to apply genetic information to public health practice and research.  Students will be trained to incorporate a knowledge of how genes, together with the environment and behavior, influence health.  Faculty representing all five departments in the School of Public Health, along with faculty from other School on campus, are participating in the PHGIC.

The curriculum of the PHGIC is designed to be accessible to students in Biostatistics or any other School of Public Health Department, and to enrich each program of study.  The curriculum is composed of 5 courses; a two-semester seminar course; three additional core courses and one elective course.  Students completing the PHGIC curriculum will achieve a genetics focus in conjunction with their selected program of study.  Both their Biostatistics degree and the PHGIC will appear on their transcript.  The PHGIC is appropriate for any students who will be completing either a Master's or Ph.D. program, and can be used to fulfill the cognate requirement for the M.S. or Ph.D.

Students applying for graduate study in Biostatistics may apply for the PHGIC by completing a supplemental application.  For more information, please contact Sharon Kardia, Ph.D., Director for the PHGIC (734) 936-0866, e-mail skardia@umich.edu, Michael Boehnke, Ph.D., Member of the PHGIC Executive Faculty (734) 936-1001, e-mail boehnke@umich.edu, or Peter Menard, IC Coordinator (734) 936-1257, e-mail pnmenard@umich.edu.

In addition to the Public Health Genetics Interdepartmental Concentration, there is also an interdepartmental concentration for Reproductive and Women's Health and one for Global Health.  For more information on these interdepartmental concentrations, please see http://www.sph.umich.edu/academics/interdepartmental.html.

Exemptions/Credits Based on Previous Course Work

Prior equivalent course work may be used to receive exemption from course requirements (core, electives or cognate) in any of the programs described. The student should discuss the possibility of receiving exemptions with his/her faculty advisor. Upon approval of the faculty advisor, a formal request for exemptions from a requirement should be submitted to the Department’s Student Services Office. The request will then be forwarded to the appropriate departmental committee for review.

Up to six hours of credit may be obtained for relevant course work at the graduate level provided that the courses were not taken to fulfill the requirements of another degree program. After approval by the Department (see preceding paragraph), a petition for this credit must be submitted to the School of Public Health for the M.P.H. degree and to the Rackham School of Graduate Studies for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. (See the Rackham Student Handbook for details.)

The Department requires that all requests for exemptions/credits based on previous course work be submitted to the Student Services Office no later than the last day of classes for the student’s first Fall term. Please be advised that you may be required to provide courses materials such as a syllabus, course description, etc.

Grades

The passing range for grades is from A+ to C-.  Graduate students are required to maintain a B average to remain in good standing and to graduate.  No course with a grade below C- is credited towards satisfaction of department requirements.

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