BIOSTATISTICS, PHD
Biostatistics
Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics
The Department of Biostatistics offers a PhD degree in biostatistics. This program provides a balance between theory and application, the perspective being the role of statistics and modeling in scientific research. The objective is to produce research-oriented scientists who can advance statistical and modeling theory and can interact effectively with scientists in other disciplines to advance knowledge in those fields.
For admission to the program applicants should have a strong academic record and meet the minimum requirements for admission to the School of Public Health. In addition, the applicant’s prior collegiate curriculum must include a 3-semester sequence of calculus or equivalent and linear algebra. Proficiency in computing is preferred, as are additional advanced mathematics courses, e.g., differential equations, advanced calculus including special functions, and complex analysis. Some background in the natural sciences would be helpful. In most cases, a prior MS in biostatistics, statistics, or related field are required for admission to the PhD program. Students with a bachelor’s degree are encouraged to pursue a MS degree in Biostatistics before applying to the PhD program. The Department of Biostatistics admits PHD students in the fall term each year. Interested students should apply online through the UAB Graduate School.
Curriculum
To earn the PhD degree in Biostatistics students must complete a minimum of 87 total credit hours of academic course work. Of these, 45 hours are required core courses and 3 hours are required Graduate School courses. Students then select a minimum 9 credit hours of regular Biostatistics Elective courses of 624 or higher?level; a minimum 6 graduate credit hours of outside electives must be taken from a non?quantitative field (i.e. Biology, Public Health or Medicine) with advisor’s approval and in some cases, also approval of instructor; and at least 24 credit hours of other related courses including dissertation research.
All students in an MSPH, MS, DrPH, or PhD program are required to complete PUH 600: Overview of Public Health. The course must be completed in a single semester (Fall or Spring); students must complete the course by the end of their second semester in the program. Students with prior public health education (BS in Public Health or MPH) or extensive public health experience (5+ years in public health practice) may be waived from this requirement by permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, but this is rare.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental Requirements: (45 hours) | ||
| BST 621 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| BST 622 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| BST 623 | General Linear Models | 3 |
| BST 626 | Data Management and Reporting with SAS | 3 |
| BST 631 | Statistical Theory I | 4 |
| BST 632 | Statistical Theory II | 4 |
| BST 655 | Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| BST 665 | Survival Analysis | 3 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series 1 | 1 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series | 1 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series | 1 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series | 1 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series | 1 |
| BST 691 | Pre-Doctoral Seminar Series | 1 |
| BST 723 | Theory of Linear Models | 3 |
| BST 735 | Advanced Inference | 4 |
| BST 760 | Generalized Linear and Mixed Models | 3 |
| BST 765 | Advanced Computational Methods | 3 |
| School-Wide Requirement: (3 hours) 2 | ||
| GRD 717 | Principles of Scientific Integrity | 3 |
| Biostatistics Electives: (Minimum 9 credit hours) | ||
| 700 level BST Courses | 9 | |
| Required Public Health/Medical/Biological Electives: (Minimum 6 credit hours) | ||
| EPI 610 | Principles of Epidemiologic Research | 3 |
| Non-Quantitative Elective (600 and 700 level courses) | 3 | |
| Other Related Courses including Research in Statistics (BST 698/798) | ||
| BST 798 | Non-Dissertation Research | 1-12 |
| Other Related Courses including Dissertation Research (BST 799) 3 | ||
| BST 799 | Dissertation Research | 1-12 |
| Minimum Credit Hours: | 87 | |
| 1 |
BST 691 - minimum 6 hours required |
| 2 |
At least one (1) course related to research ethics and scientific integrity. Does not count toward the required 24 credit hours of didactic course work. |
| 3 |
Two semesters in candidacy and either (1) 24 credit hours of BST 799 or (2) 12 credit hours of BST 799 and 12 credit hours of research?based coursework (approved by Program Director) |
