Effective Summer 2012, Ohio State University adopted a new semester-based calendar. As part of the transition, the degree requirements for the Biostatistics PhD changed. Thus there is a quarter-based curriculum and a semester-based curriculum.
Which curriculum will students follow?
Students who started the program in Spring 2012 or earlier will follow the quarter-based curriculum.
Students who started the program in Summer 2012 or later will follow the semester-based curriculum.
Students who entered under quarters but will be finishing under semesters should meet regularly with their faculty advisor or mentor to ensure a smooth transition.
Students who have taken some courses under quarters and some under semesters are encouraged to use the Transition Plan of Study Forms to ensure they complete all degree requirements.
What is the typical course load for graduate students under semesters?
Full-time graduate students will typically be required to take 9-12 semester credit hours per fall and spring semesters; summer term may be fewer credit hours. The Graduate School at Ohio State requires the following:
- Eight hours establishes full-time semester enrollment for graduate students. Full-time status for post-candidacy doctoral students is three hours.
- Sixteen credit hours per semester is the maximum graduate student course load without permission from a student's advisor and the Graduate School.
- Graduate associates (GA) holding 50 percent time or greater appointments must maintain full-time enrollment status (eight hours pre-candidacy for GAs, three hours for post-candidacy GAs).
- Fellows and trainees must register for a minimum of 12 hours per semester (except post-candidacy students, who must register for only three).
Conversion of Course Sequences
Most statistics and biostatistics courses required for the Biostatistics PhD underwent straight one-to-one conversions. For courses taught as sequences under quarters, the following transition plans have been developed:
Statistical Theory Sequence (required for both specializations)
Under Quarters: STAT 620-621-622 (3 quarter credits each)
Under Semesters: STAT 6801-6802 (4 semester credits each)
Biostatistics PhD students typically take this sequence during a single academic year. However, if a student already has credit for Stat 620, but not for Stat 621, then the student will have the option of taking a two-hour reading course (Stat 6193 or Stat 6194) to complete the equivalent of Stat 6801; if a student already has credit for Stat 620 and Stat 621, but not Stat 622, the student will take Stat 6802.
Probability Sequence (required for Methodology specialization)
Under Quarters: STAT 620-621-622 (3 quarter credits each)
Under Semesters: STAT 6801-6802 (4 semester credits each)
Biostatistics PhD students in the Methodology specialization typically take this sequence during a single academic year. However, if a student already has credit for Stat 722, but not for Stat 723, then the student will have the option of taking a two-hour reading course (Stat 8193 or Stat 8194) to complete the equivalent of the sequence. Students entering under quarters who do not start the sequence until semesters will take only Stat 7201.
