Portland-State-University 2021-2022 Bulletin

Biostatistics MS

The Master of Science in Biostatistics degree is designed to provide graduate level training in the application and theory of biostatistics. The program is primarily aimed at those wishing to pursue careers as intermediate level biostatisticians or apply for doctoral programs in Biostatistics. The program is also appropriate for individuals who have earned a Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics and wish to pursue further training.

Target audiences for this program include individuals who desire careers as collaborative biostatisticians in the basic, clinical, translational or population sciences. The program will also be appropriate for some clinical and translational researchers (e.g. K awardees or postdoctoral trainees), students in other Oregon graduate programs, as well as working professionals throughout the state and region (e.g. public health practitioners, laboratory scientists, data managers, database programmers, other research professionals).

All faculty members in the Department’s Division of Biostatistics are actively involved with externally funded projects. Students will have opportunities to work with real world applications under the supervision of faculty.

Program Competencies

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

  • 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

Required Coursework (40 credits)

Bsta 511Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics

4

Bsta 512Linear Models

4

Bsta 513Categorical Data Analysis

4

Bsta 514Statistical Analysis of Time-to-Event Data

3

Bsta 517Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials

3

Bsta 519Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis

3

Bsta 530Biostatistics Lab

3

Bsta 550Intro to Probability

3

Bsta 551Statistical Inference I

3

Bsta 552Statistical Inference II

3

Epi 512Epidemiology I

4

PHE 513Introduction to Public Health

3

Comprehensive Examination: Written section

0; Pass

Comprehensive Examination: Lab section

0; Pass

Elective Coursework (14 credits)

Bsta 500Reading and Research in Biostatistics

1-3

BMI 550Computational Biology I

4

BMI 551Computational Biology II

4

Bsta 515Data Management & Analysis in SAS

3

Bsta 516Design and Analysis of Surveys

3

Bsta 521Bayesian Methods for Data Analysis

3

Bsta 522Statistical Learning and Data Science

3

Bsta 523Design and Analysis of Experimental Designs

3

Bsta 524Statistical Methods for Next Gen Sequencing

3

Epi 513Epidemiology II

4

Stat 567Applied Probability I

3

Stat 568Applied Probability II

3

Stat 580Nonparametric Methods

3

Other courses may be may be used as electives with approval from the Program Director.

Total Credit Hours: 54

For more information and instruction on how to apply visit the MS in Biostatistics web page.