"My educational and research experiences at Berkeley have exceeded all of my expectations. Not only are the faculty in my department at the very cutting-edge for new biostatistics methodology, but the opportunities for collaboration with other faculty in the School of Public Health and the entire campus are endless. When I graduate, I hope to obtain a position where I can continue working on innovative methods while also applying them to answer important real-world public health research questions."
Biostatistics
Degree Options:
Many issues in the health, medical, and biological sciences are addressed by collecting and exploring relevant data. The development and application of techniques to better understand such data is the fundamental concern of the Group in Biostatistics. The program offers training in theory of statistics and biostatistics, computer implementation of analytic methods, and opportunities to use this knowledge in areas of biological/medical research. The resources and facilities in the School of Public Health and the Department of Statistics, together with those of other university departments, offer a broad set of opportunities to satisfy the needs of individual students. Involvement of faculty from the Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology at UC San Francisco enriches instructional and research activities.
Biostatistics Faculty
Biostatistics Links
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Curriculum & Requirements
The M.P.H. in Biostatistics is a 2-year program consisting of 48 units with courses selected from biostatistics and statistics, public health, and biology. The M.P.H. program in Biostatistics prepares students to become proficient in the:
- storage, retrieval, analysis and interpretation of health data;
- design and analysis of health-related surveys and experiments; and
- concepts and practice of statistical data analysis
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Applicants should have completed undergraduate course work in the biological, social, or math sciences.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Health, biological, natural, social, and cognitive sciences
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Volunteer work in public health, research assistant, lab technician
Employment Opportunities:
Graduates are qualified for positions in federal, state, and local health departments as well as a variety of positions in academic research and in the private medical and health care fields. Some go on to pursue doctoral studies in epidemiology or biostatistics.
Curriculum & Requirements
The M.A. in Biostatistics is a 2-year program consisting of 40-48 units with courses selected from biostatistics and statistics, public health, and biology.
The oral comprehensive examination for the M.A. degree is designed to test a candidate's breadth of understanding and knowledge and the ability to articulate and explain the basic concepts gained from the curriculum. Alternatively, a thesis may be submitted to fulfill requirements though the decision to submit a thesis rather than take the oral examination must be made early in the final semester of the program.
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.66
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants:
Verbal: 680 (96%); Quantitative: 790 (91%)
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Previous coursework in calculus and linear algebra is suggested.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biomedical & biological sciences, mathematics, statistics
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Typical successful applicants have work experience in Research Assistant positions at a health department.
Employment Opportunities:
Some students pursuing the M.A. intend to go on for a Ph.D. but many others take research, statistical, and analytical positions in federal agencies, state and local health departments, and health care delivery.
Curriculum & Requirements
The Ph.D. program in Biostatistics requires 4-6 semesters of coursework followed by 2-4 semesters to complete examinations and prepare a dissertation. Since there are no unit or course requirements for the Ph.D., a program of courses appropriate to a student's background and interests may be developed.
All doctoral students are required to:
- take a qualifying examination to test both a candidate's general competence in the field of biostatistics and the ability to apply biostatistical methods to a broad research area
- prepare a dissertation
- defend their dissertation in a formal presentation to a student-selected committee
Sample Curriculum (PDF)
Fall 2011 Admissions Statistics:
Average GPA of admitted applicants: 3.34
Average GRE scores of admitted applicants:
Verbal: 620 (89%); Quantitative: 790 (91%)
What we look for in competitive applicants:
Applicants should have completed undergraduate and graduate work in calculus, linear algebra, and have a strong overall quantitative background.
- Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biological sciences, math, statistics
- Common work experience for admitted applicants: Typical admitted applicants have work experience in quantitative analysis in a research setting. Many of them have co-authored articles published in medical or scientific journals. The following is a sample of the job-titles of successful applicants: Research Analyst, Data Director, Biostatistician, Programmer Analyst, Statistical Consultant, Research Assistant.
Employment Opportunities:
Doctoral graduates most often accept faculty positions in schools of public health and statistics and/or math departments at colleges and universities in the United States and abroad, although some Ph.D. graduates have taken research positions in pharmaceutical companies or hospital research units and the like.