2012-2016 Public Health Specialization

2012-2016 Public Health Specialization

The Public Health specialization requires a core curriculum in theoretical and applied statistics, with a particular emphasis on public health applications. This specialization also requires coursework in epidemiology, and science electives chosen from other areas of public health.

The Public Health specialization requires successful completion of:

  1. Core courses in Biostatistics, Statistics, and Epidemiology
  2.  Electives in Biostatistics and Statistics
  3.  Electives in a cognate area
  4. Qualifying and Candidacy examinations (more information)
  5. Writing of the Dissertation and oral defense

The Biostatistics PhD program presupposes a mathematical background that includes linear algebra and advanced calculus.

Course Requirements

Core Courses (44 credits)

Area     

Course     

Title

Credits

Statistics/Biostatistics

PUBHBIO 7215/STAT 6615

Design & Analysis of Clinical Trials

2

 

PUBHBIO 7245/STAT 7755

Biostatistical Collaboration

2

 

PUBHBIO 8230/STAT 7470

Advanced Longitudinal Data Analysis

3

 

PUBHBIO 8235

Advanced Regression Modeling of Time-to-Event Data

3

 

STAT 6801

Statistical Theory I

4

 

STAT 6802

Statistical Theory II  

4

 

STAT 6860

Foundations of the Linear Model

2

 

STAT 6910

Advanced Statistics I

 

STAT 6950

Advanced Statistics II

4 

 

STAT 6540

Applied Stochastic Processes

3

 

or STAT 7540

Theory of Stochastic Processes

 

 

STAT 7410

Theory of the Linear Model

3 

 

STAT 7430

Generalized Linear Models

 

STAT 7730

Advanced Computational Statistics

3

Epidemiology

PUBHEPI 6430

Epidemiology I

4

Cognate (6 credits) - At least 6 credits outside of statistics/biostatistics, in a health-related field, as approved by the student’s PhD Examination Committee.

Electives (12 credits) - As approved by the student’s PhD Examination Committee (generally chosen from courses at the 7000-level and above in PUBHBIO or at the 6000-level and above in STAT).

TOTAL COURSE HOUR REQUIREMENTS: The doctoral program requires a minimum of 80 credits, including the 62 credits of courses listed above. A maximum of 30 credits of master’s degree work may be applied to PhD requirements if approved by the faculty adviser. A grade of B- or better is required in all courses in the PhD program.

 

Sample PhD in Biostatistics Program with a Public Health Specialization

 

Autumn     

Spring

First Year

STAT 6801

STAT 6802

 

STAT 6910

STAT 6950

 

MATH 4545*

STAT 6860

 

 

PUBHBIO 7215/STAT 6615

 

 

 

Second Year

PUBHBIO 8235*

PUBHBIO 8230/STAT 7470**

 

PUBHEPI 6430

STAT 7302

 

STAT 6540

Elective/Cognate

 

STAT 7410

 

 

 

 

 Third Year

STAT 7730

PUBHBIO 7245/STAT 7755

 

Electives/Cognates

Electives/Cognates

 

*Required for the Methodology specialization but not for the Public Health specialization; recommended for the Public Health specialzation

**These courses are currently offered in alternating years. In the year when one is not offered, it is recommended that the student take the 7000-level version as an elective (PUBHBIO 7230, PUBHBIO 7235). This does not, however, serve as a substitute for the 8000-level course requirement.