MSTAT Project *

Project Overview

The MSTAT-Biostatistics project's objective is to challenge students to think through new statistical methods, use them towards the analysis of a data set, and write a report to another statistician. This report summarizes the statistical and clinical issues, explains one's statistical logic, and summarizes the statistical and clinical results. A student should thoroughly discuss potential project topics with the student's supervisory committee.

Prior to beginning the research project a student should have taken (1) Math 5010, 5080, and 5090, (2) PBHLT 6106 and (3) either Math 6010 or PBHLT 7120. This will ensure they have enough theoretical basis to be successful in using an advanced statistical technique applied to data.

It is preferred that students also have completed Math 6020 or PBHLT 7130. However, it depends on the project and the student. It is advised to start thinking of potential projects and compose the supervisory committee no later than two semesters out from the anticipated graduating semester. This will provide adequate time to gain rapport with faculty who will be on the supervisory committee, to develop research project ideas that align with the specific research interests of the student, and to get IRB approval if necessary.

Project Details

The MSTAT-Biostatistics project is one of the culminating experiences of a student’s degree, typically centered on statistical skills used for a career as a biostatistician. All MSTAT-Biostatistics students are required to complete and successfully defend a project prior to graduating. Students must:

choose a project that coincides with their research interests
create a supervisory committee which consists of MSTAT, Biostatistics faculty
complete three project credit hours (roughly 135 hours of effort)
produce a written report
present the project at a public seminar
successfully defend the project

Form Your Supervisory Committee

To begin, the student will want to identify potential faculty to work with on their project. The supervisory committee form must be completed with the appropriate signatures to determine which faculty have agreed to act as a committee member. The supervisory committee form must be turned into the academic advisor before a permission code will be distributed for registration of project hours. The essential role of the supervisory committee is to provide feedback, guidance and mentorship on the project while also approving the research subject and judging the final defense. Potential faculty members eligible to be on a student's supervisory committee can be found in the policies and guidelines on pages 5-7. Please see the academic advisor with any questions concerning the supervisory committee.

Register for MSTAT Project Hours

Before registration of project hours the student must set up their supervisory committee and turn in the supervisory committee from, with the appropriate signatures, to their academic advisor. At that time, a permission code will be provided to them allowing them access to register for PBHLT 6970 – Statistical Investigation and Reporting (MSTAT Project).

Please be mindful of registration dates to ensure adequate time to obtain all the needed forms and permission code for registration. Students must register for a total of 3 credit hours towards the research project before graduation. Note, the student must be registered for at least 3 credit hours, whether that be project credits, or an actual class, during the semester they plan to defend their project.

Post-Practicum IRB Approval

After approval of the project proposal the student is now ready to develop their research. Any and all approval of the content of the MSTAT project is an academic matter between the student and their committee. Depending on the given project, IRB approval may be required in order to protect the rights and welfare of the research subjects involved. Once IRB approval is established, please complete the IRB research proposal form, and return it to the academic advisor.

Project Defense

Pre-Defense: Prior to scheduling the project defense it is strongly recommended to hold a pre-defense meeting with the supervisory committee. During the pre-defense, the student will present their progress, so that the committee can determine whether sufficient progress has been made in order to schedule the defense.

Publicize the Event: Once the committee agrees that the project is sufficient to move forward with the final defense, the student will work with their academic advisor to schedule the time, location, and public posting of the defense. Please note, the supervisory committee must approve the final defense arrangements before the announcement is publicized. The date and time of the final defense must be widely publicized to the entire department at least ten business days prior to the date of defense. Please use this defense announcement to publicize the event and return this announcement to the academic advisor for dispersal.

Final Defense: For the final defense the student must defend their project satisfactorily introducing their research topic, covering their methods, results, strengthens and limitations and concluding findings. The oral presentation ranges between 30-35 minutes with questions to follow. A PowerPoint presentation is the most common platform used for sharing research findings. Please note, the last day to defend in autumn or spring semester is the last day of class, and the deadline in summer semester is generally a week earlier. Please note that this is the same deadline for the final approvals below. A defense 1-2 weeks prior to the last day of class is strongly recommended. The student must be registered for at least three credit hours during the semester they defend.

Final Approval

The final project must produce a written report explaining the method, the dataset, the statistical logic and the results, that is submitted to the supervisory committee with a copy given to the academic advisor, in order to be deemed complete. This is not the same format as a publishable paper, although a publishable paper is an optional second product of the project. Typically, some editorial changes are required after the defense.

All project forms must be returned to the academic advisor before the project can be deemed complete. Failure to do so by the last day of class in autumn or spring semester, or earlier in summer semester, may delay graduation.

Projected Timeline

To assist students in anticipating how to navigate the completion of their MSTAT project, the following timeline is recommended.

Task	Rough timeline
Compose supervisory committee/ Address potential project topics	Two semesters out from the anticipated graduating semester (after the completion of Math 5010, 5080, and 5090; at least one of the PBHLT 6106 or 6107; and Math 6010 or PBHLT 7120).
Prepare research proposal and submit to supervisory committee for approval	Two semesters out from anticipated graduating semester.
Submit IRB application for IRB review	Two semesters out from anticipated graduating semester.
Development of project and scheduling of committee meetings as necessary	Two semesters out from potential graduating semester and into final semester.
Start written report and prepare for pre-defense of the oral presentation	Two semesters out from potential graduating semester and into final semester.
Send draft of the written report to supervisory committee for review.	Graduating semester
Present pre-defense with supervisory committee. Make any necessary edits and prepare for final defense.	Graduating semester
Schedule time for final defense that is inclusive of the supervisory committees schedules and work with academic advisor for location and submit defense announcement	Submit defense announcement: 10 business days prior to date of defense.
Final Defense	Two weeks prior to last day of class in the semester the student plans to graduate.
Final edits to paper, receipt of supervisory committee approval of final draft, copies to committee and graduate student coordinator, and upload it onto USPACE with this submission form.	Last day of class in the semester the student plans to graduate; 1 week earlier in summer semester.