Department of Biostatistics 
Biostatistics Programs and Degrees
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. For further information about this program, please contact Nicole Fenech, Residential M.S. and PhD. Programs in Biostatistics, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights,
fenechn@umich.edu or call (734) 615-9817.
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 Fatma Nedjari, OJ/OC M.S. Program in Clinical Research Design
and Statistical Analysis, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights,
fned@umich.edu or call (734) 615-9812.
The Certificate in Public Health Genetics
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 Certificate in Public Health Genetics
(CPHG) 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 CPHG.
The curriculum of the CPHG 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 CPHG curriculum will achieve a genetics
focus in conjunction with their selected program of study.Both their Biostatistics degree and the CPHG will appear on
their transcript.The CPHG
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 CPHG (734) 936-0866, e-mail skardia@umich.edu, Michael Boehnke, Ph.D.,
Member of the CPHG Executive Faculty (734) 936-1001, e-mail boehnke@umich.edu, or e-mail erenda@umich.edu
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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