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The UA Zuckerman College of Public Health offers the following doctoral degrees with a focus in Biostatistics: Doctorate (PhD) in Biostatistics, and a PhD Minor in Biostatistics.
The PhD in Biostatistics is offered by the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The doctoral degree program in Biostatistics will have an emphasis on the foundations of statistical reasoning and will require its graduates to complete rigorous training in applied probability and statistical analyses. This program prepares students who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics and the sciences to become research biostatisticians in academia, industry, or government.
The PhD program in Biostatistics is designed for individuals having strong quantitative skills with a background or interest in the biological, medical, or health sciences, and potential to become effective researchers in biostatistics. Applicants for the PhD in Biostatistics must have a prior Bachelor’s degree. Applicants with a Master’s degree in biostatistics, statistics, or applied mathematics will be given preference for admission and financial support. To the extent possible, the curriculum of each student will be tailored to his or her background and interests. A competitive applicant to the PhD in Biostatistics will have a strong quantitative background; at least three semesters of college-level calculus through multivariable/vector calculus is required; in addition, one semester of linear algebra is strongly recommended.
The doctoral program requires approximately four to five years for completion. The first two years of this time are usually devoted to coursework, the comprehensive doctoral examinations, and development of doctoral research. The program is research oriented and centers on a major research project. The overall course of study is developed by the student and the advisor, and is approved by the student’s Graduate committee and the Chair the Biostatistics Section. Students will be required to defend their dissertation through a public presentation and oral examination with their committee.
FACULTY:
Denise Roe, DrPH - Section Chair; Angelika Gruessner, PhD; Paul Hsu, PhD; Chengcheng Hu, PhD; Bonnie LaFleur, PhD, MPH; Duane Sherrill, PhD.
Required PhD Courses (32 units)
MATH 564 Theory of Probability (3)
MATH 566 Theory of Statistics (3)
CPH 573A Basic Principles of Epidemiology (3)
CPH 576A Biostatistics in Public Health (3)
CPH 576B Biostatistics for Research (3)
CPH 685 Statistical Consulting (3)
CPH 687 Theory of Linear Models (3)
STAT 571B Design of Experiments (3)
STAT 675 Statistical Computing (3)
PHCL 595B Scientific Writing Strategies, Skills and Ethics (2)
CPH 696S Biostatistics Seminar (1 unit – 3 times)
Elective Courses*(minimum 15 units)
CPH 576C Applied Biostatistics Analysis (3)
CPH 576D Data Management and the SAS Programming Language (3)
CPH 647 Analysis of Categorical Data (3)
CPH 648 Analysis of High Dimensional Data (3)
CPH 675 Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies (3)
CPH 677 Genetic Association Studies (3)
CPH 686 Survival Analysis (3)
*Electives may also be chosen from other Statistics or Mathematics courses with approval of the Biostatistics Faculty.
Minor Courses (minimum 9 units)
Each PhD student must complete a minimum of 9 credit hours of course work in a minor area. The minor area of study specifies the number of required minor units. This should consist of a coherent set of courses in an area (or in related areas) of application of biostatistics; the courses may be from more than one program. Minor courses should be primarily applied as opposed to mathematics/statistical in nature.
Dissertation (minimum 18 units)
Total
Minimum Credit Requirement
= 74 units
Students, who enter the Biostatistics PhD program after completion of an MPH with a concentration in Biostatistics from MEZCOPH, may use 23 units towards the Biostatistics PhD. Thus, students with an MPH must complete a minimum of 18 additional units of course work, 6 units of seminar, 9 units or more in a minor subject, and 18 dissertation units. They will be allowed to substitute more advanced courses for any required courses already completed.
Students entering the program with a Bachelor’s degree and limited undergraduate biology course work will be required to take “Biology in Public Health Research and Practice” (CPH 505).
The PhD Minor in Biostatistics is designed for individuals from other University of Arizona doctoral degree programs who wish to obtain graduate training in Biostatistics.
For more information regarding the Graduate Program in Biostatistics, please contact Becky Corran, Recruitment and Admissions Coordinator, at phadmit@u.arizona.edu.
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