Why Biostatistics?
• Wall Street Journal – the best jobs
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_BE
STJOBS0104_20110105.html
Programs at a glance
• The Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics
Program provides basic and intermediate
graduate level applied biostatistics training.
• The upcoming MS and MBStat programs will
provide graduate level training in both
application and theory of biostatistics.
Why pursue a Graduate Certificate
in Biostatistics at OHSU?
• Broaden knowledge base in biostatistics analysis
methods.
• Be able to plan and properly analyze biomedical & health
datasets.
• Enhance understanding of biostatistics methods.
• Establish scientific hypotheses and study designs that
are biostatistically sound
• Develop the ability to contextualize and communicate
research findings
• To become more effective members of multidisciplinary
research teams.
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Potential candidates for the Biostatistics
Certificate Program
• Researchers in various biomedical and health related fields
– Researchers at all levels
– Data managers, Database programmers, Informaticists
– Project Directors, Study Coordinators, Program Coordinators
• Students enrolled in other graduate degree programs
– Certificate in Biostatistics can be pursued concurrently with other degrees
• Clinicians/scientists launching research careers
– K-awardees
– Junior investigators
• Health professionals who are involved (or wish to be involved) with
quantitative analysis (state, county, etc.).
• The program can be completed in 1-year as a full time student, or
2~3 years part time.
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Competencies when Completing Certificate
• Perform a broad range of basic and intermediate statistical
procedures
• Interpret and summarize analysis results to answer questions
posited in the biomedical and health sciences.
• Communicate analysis results to collaborators in oral and written
form.
• Apply the principles of research design to address problems in
biomedical and health sciences.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses of different study designs and
analytic methods.
• Conduct analyses for your own research, or provide support to
multidisciplinary research teams.
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Curriculum
• Curriculum is focused on biostatistics applications in the biomedical
and health sciences.
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Designing appropriate analytic plans
Conducting analyses
Interpreting and synthesizing results
Statistical theory introduced via relevant motivating examples
• Students will have ample opportunity to learn multiple statistical
packages
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Stata
SAS
R
Others
• Hands-on experience working with real datasets
• Students can have opportunity to collaborate with biostatistics
faculty and researchers on current projects.
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Coursework
• 30 credits total
• Most courses are on campus
– Some may have an online component
• Courses usually held in morning or late afternoon or
evening
• 5 required courses (18 credits):
– Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4
credits)
– Linear Models (4 credits)
– Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits)
– Survival Analysis (3 credits)
– Biostatistics Lab (3 credits)
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Courses - continued
• 12 elective credits taken from the following:
– Data Management & Analysis in SAS (3 credits)
– Spatial Data Analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3
credits)
– Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits)
– Topics in Biostatistics (3 credits)
• This course will teach more advanced or specialized statistical methods, for
example, longitudinal data analysis and models for classification and prediction.
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Design and Analysis of Surveys (3 credits)
Epidemiology I (4 credits)
Epidemiology II (4 credits)
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology I (4 credits)
Bioinformatics & Computational Biology II (4 credits)
Reading and Research in Biostatistics (1 – 3 credits)
Lean Six Sigma 1 and 2
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Application Procedures for Graduate Certificate
• Candidates require a bachelor’s degree and one undergraduate
course in statistics
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Application is required for all candidates
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Application materials are found at:
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Application form
Letter of recommendation (at least 1)
College transcript(s)
Personal statement
Application fee
www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics
Applications currently being accepted for Fall 2011 admission
– Accepting applications through May 15th or until program capacity is
reached
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Tuition
• For 2011 – 2012 academic year:
– $371 per credit for in-state students
– $477 per credit for out-of-state students
• Additional OHSU fees (based on 2010-2011 info)
– A Health Service Fee of $257 is charged each term.
– Quarterly charges for Dental Insurance ($108.24) and Major Medical ($1079.72)
can be waived with proof of insurance to Student Health at least a month prior to
matriculation.
– A quarterly “incidental” fee of $299 is charged for all full time students (9 or more
credits per term).
– For more information: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/studentservices/registrar/registration-information/tuition-fees.cfm
– Fees may change slightly in upcoming academic year.
• At this point, OHSU employee tuition benefit is not available.
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Non-matriculated Students
• Some individual courses may be open to nonmatriculated students as space allows.
• Appropriate pre-requisites must be met.
• Program office and instructor approval required prior to
enrollment
• Email biostatprogram@ohsu.edu to request permission.
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Career options/direction post-graduation
• Become a biostatistics-savvy researcher or health professional.
• Research support positions, e.g. biostatistician, data analyst
• Transition from data coordinator or database programmer to more
analysis-oriented positions.
• Further training in Biostatistics
– OHSU
• MS and MBStat – Biostatistics (Approved by OUS Provosts’ Council, and
approval pending by OUS board for 2011-2012)
– Portland State University
• MS - Statistics
• PhD – Applied Mathematics w/ concentration in Biostatistics
– Oregon State University
• MS – Statistics
• PhD – Statistics
The upcoming Master programs
• Two tracks
– Master of Science in Biostatistics requires MS thesis (3 credits)
– Master in Biostatistics requires passing comprehensive test and
taking an additional elective (3 credits) in lieu of thesis.
• Both programs can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.
• Similar to the graduate certificate program, the programs will
include formal didactic sessions and hands-on statistical
computing training.
Competencies when completing the program
• Apply intermediate to advanced biostatistical theory and techniques
to design, plan, and manage data collection to conduct analysis for
own research projects or support collaborative research teams.
• Translate broad research goals into specifications and procedures
for statistical analysis and interpretation of results in basic, clinical,
translational and public health research studies.
• Select and use appropriate statistical analysis software for
assessment, decision-making and information-sharing (e.g., Stata,
SAS, R or other special programs).
• Communicate statistical methods and findings clearly and
unambiguously to specialists and non-specialist audiences.
• For MS in biostatistics, gain basic skills of doing statistics
methodology research.
Coursework for Master degrees
• 48 credits total
• 6 required courses (30 credits):
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Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4 credits)
Linear Models (4 credits)
Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits)
Mathematical Statistics 1, 2 (3 credits each)
Survival Analysis (3 credits)
Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits)
Biostatistics Lab (3 credits)
Thesis or a required elective (3 credit)
• There are a variety of courses for selective credits, including
a few more to be developed.
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Which one suits for me?
• Either program is appropriate for those:
– Wishing to pursue a career as an intermediate level biostatistician.
– Applying for doctoral programs in Biostatistics.
– Graduate Certificate students pursuing further training.
• Degree vs. Certificate
– A degree is more widely recognized and has a better job
opportunity nationwide.
– Master programs will provide more balanced trainings in
applications and theory.
– Certificate program focuses on applied biostatistics.
– Master programs is calculus-based and certificate program is not.
– May start with certificate and transfer to a Master program.
Other questions
Any questions?
More information is available from
• Brochure
• Website:
www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics
• Email: biostatprogram@ohsu.edu