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Biostatistics Core Requirement

Options for fulfilling the biostatistics core requirement include satisfactory completion of one of the following three options:

• Option 1: The student will complete either Biostatistics 503 or 553 depending upon his/her preparation, offered only in the fall term.
• Option 2: The student will complete Statistics 400, an upper-level undergraduate course offered by the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
• Option 3: The student will complete both Biostatistics 650 and 651.

Most SPH students select option 1. Biostatistics Department students select option 3.

SPH students from departments other than Biostatistics may be exempted from the biostatistics requirement under the following procedures:

• Students who have satisfactorily completed one of the options above or Statistics 350 (B or better grade) at the University of Michigan within the last five years are exempt from this requirement.
• Students who pass an exemption examination offered and graded by the faculty of Biostatistics will be exempted from the requirement.
• Students who are enrolled in other degree programs on campus that have statistics requirements may be able to substitute such requirements, but only in consultation with and with prior approval from the current Biostatistics 503 faculty member.

If you qualify for an exemption on the basis of prior course work, you must obtain an exemption form from the student services staff member in your department and have it signed by your department curriculum committee chair. After the exemption form is prepared and signed, the Biostatistics 503 instructor will also sign the exemption.

For those students in departments that require more than one course in biostatistics, completion of one of the options above will satisfy the prerequisite for entry into the second-level course, Biostatistics 523, which is offered only in the winter term.

Choosing Between Biostatistics 503 and 553

Biostatistics 503 and 553 are both introductory courses for non-majors that assume no prior course work in biostatistics or statistics. Either course satisfies the school-wide requirement for biostatistics; however, some departments require 553 instead of 503. While both courses cover the same statistical topics and methods, 553 assumes stronger preparation in mathematics and goes into greater depth in statistics. The prerequisite for 503 is elementary (high school) algebra. Students taking 553 need to have had one term of calculus and be comfortable with function notation and algebra. The stronger mathematical prerequisite for 553 allows time for more detailed study. Students who have satisfied the calculus prerequisite are strongly encouraged to enroll in 553. Biostatistics 503 and 553 are offered only in the fall term.

Biostatistics 503 Algebra Prerequisite

To be eligible to enroll in Biostatistics 503, you must demonstrate competence in elementary algebra. This can be accomplished by:

• Scoring at or above the 50th percentile on the GRE/GMAT quantitative section; or
• Taking and passing a short algebra examination that includes problems on arithmetic and elementary algebra. If your GRE/GMAT score is below the 50th percentile or if you have not taken either of these tests, you are required to take the algebra exam.

The algebra examination is closed book; a calculator is not permitted. A sample algebra examination is available. Please find time to take this sample examination and to grade yourself using the answer key. Students may have up to two hours to take the examination. Score ½ point for each correct true/false question in problem 24, and 1 point for every other question, so that the total possible score is 31. If you score 26.5 or more points, then you are likely to be prepared for taking Biostatistics 503. If you score between 22 and 26 points, you may find Biostatistics 503 difficult unless you review elementary algebra before enrolling in the course. Several review books are recommended below. If you score less than 22 points, then you probably do not have adequate preparation for taking Biostatistics 503. We strongly urge you to study algebra using one of the books listed below or to enroll in an algebra course at a local community college.

Recommended Tutorial Reviews

• Downing, Douglas. Algebra the Easy Way, Second edition. Barron's Educational Series, Inc., Woodbury, NY (1989).
• Slavin, Steven. Practical Algebra. Self-Teaching Guides. Second Edition, John Wiley and Sons, NY (1991).

We strongly encourage students to enroll in the biostatistics course to which their mathematical and statistical background best suits them. Entering a course that is too easy or too difficult often results in frustration for both the student and the instructor.

The algebra test and both exemption exams are typically offered the week prior to fall term. The epidemiology exemption exam is also offered prior to winter term. No pre-registration for these exams is required. These exams are not given at any other time; it is your responsibility to allow time on one of these days to take the exams.