Portland-State-University 2019-2020 Bulletin

Biostatistics MPH

The MPH Biostatistics program provides training for biostatistics methods as they apply to public health. Courses in this program emphasize intermediate to advanced applied statistical methods and statistical programming commonly used in public health research and practice, and program competencies highlight population-based study design, analytic methods, data interpretation, and communication. Epidemiological study design and methods are also an important component of the training provided by this program. Graduates of the program will be equipped to pursue careers in local, state and federal agencies, health and medical centers, and research institutions. 

Program Competencies

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

  • Apply appropriate principles of research design and population-based concepts to assess health problems;

  • Apply appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods to analyze risk determinants of disease and health conditions;
  • Apply descriptive and inferential statistical methods that are appropriate to the different study designs used in public health research;
  • Interpret and summarize results and communicate them to lay and professional audiences, in the context of proper public health principles and concepts;
  • Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of alternative research designs and analytic methods, and critically review and assess statistical analyses presented in public health literature.
  • Apply basic ethical principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of public health data.
  • Identify cultural dimensions of conducting research, including culturally sensitive recruitment of study participants, and develop strategies for interpretation of data in the larger cultural context.

For more information and instructions on how to apply to the program visit the MPH in Biostatistics web page.