Applied Statistics in Health-Related Data
The MSTAT in Biostatistics is housed within the Division of Public Health at the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine in the School of Medicine. The goal of this track is to provide the student with a good foundation in:
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- The basics of applied statistics,
- The fundamentals of numerous problems in the areas of health,
- An ability to apply statistical knowledge to health-related data,
- An ability to understand the problems and deal with the personalities of health care personnel, and
- An ability to use computers to good advantage.
Depending on the completed undergraduate coursework the MSTAT Biostatistics program can take two to three years to complete. Please meet with the MSTAT Biostatistics academic advisor to outline a program of study.
As a track in an interdepartmental program, the track leadership is rotated among track faculty, approximately annually. There is a biostatistics director in the Division of Public Health, who assists coordination between the public health programs and the biostatistics track.
Opportunities After Graduation
Graduates of the biostatistics track of the MSTAT program are prepared to assume biostatistical consulting positions in which study design, project management and data analysis and reporting skills are required. Typically, these include state and local public health organizations, health care delivery systems, universities and medical schools, governmental health agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. The track's graduates have pursued careers in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, as well as going on to PhD programs.
While applications from students with varied backgrounds will be considered, the MSTAT-Biostatistics is primarily intended to enhance the skills and career development of those with a bachelor’s in mathematics, statistics or a related field, with coursework in calculus, statistics, programming, matrix algebra and biology.
More information is in the student policy guide.