Overview
The PhD in Biostatistics, offered through the Division of Biostatistics in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine, provides a flexible curriculum to cover the basics.
Admitted PhD students are expected to take a full suite of courses including several iterations of the seminar course, a consulting practicum, and a series of elective coursework (cognate area) that ensure the candidate has studied a subject matter discipline within biomedical research. PhD students are also expected to take high-level courses in statistical theory, survival analysis, and high-dimensional and complex data not generally taken by MS students. The PhD program consists of 37 credits of core coursework, 6 credits of introductory public health coursework, 12 credits of electives, and 12 credits of dissertation research for a total of 67 credits to complete the degree. PhD students are expected to pass a first-year written diagnostic exam at the end of their first year of study. A second oral and written exam will be administered at the end of the third year.
To obtain detailed program curricula on the PhD in Biostatistics, please visit our website.
Admission Requirements
· Application – Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS. Applicants to the MD/PhD program must apply through AMCAS.
· Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.
· Standardized Test Scores – Applicants are required to submit a Graduate Record Exam, GRE, taken within the last five years.
· English Proficiency Exam – International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an academic institution within the United States or from select English-speaking countries.
· Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.
· Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.
· Letters of Recommendation – Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.
For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.
For further information, please contact:
Ginelle Solis, EdD, MPA
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-7246
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| BST 603 | An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications | 3 |
| MTH 625 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| MTH 642 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| EPH 600 | Introduction to the Science Practice of Public Health | 3 |
| BST 610 | Introduction to Statistical Collaboration | 3 |
| EPH 621 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| BST 630 | Longitudinal and Multilevel Data | 3 |
| BST 640 | Modern Numerical Multivariate Methods | 3 |
| BST 650 | Topics in Biostatistical Research 1 | 4 |
| BST 665 | Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials | 3 |
| BST 676 | Introduction to Generalized Linear Models | 3 |
| BST 680 | Advanced Statistical Theory | 3 |
| BST 690 | Theory of Survival Analysis | 3 |
| BST 691 | High Dimensional and Complex Data | 3 |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Dissertation | 12 | |
| Doctoral Dissertation (pre-candidacy) | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation (Post-Candidacy) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 67 | |
1 BST 650 is taken for 1 credit in Fall and Spring during the first 2 years of study
Sample Plan of Study
Admitted PhD students are expected to take a full suite of courses including several iterations of the seminar course, a consulting practicum (or advanced computing course), and a series of elective coursework (cognate area) that ensure the candidate has studied a subject matter discipline within biomedical research. PhD students are also expected to take high-level courses in statistical theory, survival analysis, and high-dimensional and complex data not generally taken by MS students.
The PhD in Biostatistics program consists of 37 credits of core coursework, 6 credits of introductory public health coursework, 12 credits of electives, and 12 credits of dissertation research for a total of 67 credits to complete the degree. Students complete structured coursework (core and elective credits) during the first three years of study. PhD students are expected to pass a first-year written diagnostic exam at the end of their first year of study. A second oral and written exam will be administered at the end of the third year of study.
This is a sample plan of study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine appropriate course selection.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| BST 603 | An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications | 3 |
| EPH 600 | Introduction to the Science Practice of Public Health | 3 |
| MTH 642 | Statistical Analysis | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MTH 625 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | 3 |
| BST 630 | Longitudinal and Multilevel Data | 3 |
| BST 676 | Introduction to Generalized Linear Models | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| BST 610 | Introduction to Statistical Collaboration | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| BST 665 | Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials | 3 |
| BST 650 | Topics in Biostatistical Research | 1 |
| BST 640 | Modern Numerical Multivariate Methods | 3 |
| Elective Coursework | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BST 650 | Topics in Biostatistical Research | 1 |
| BST 691 | High Dimensional and Complex Data | 3 |
| BST 680 | Advanced Statistical Theory | 3 |
| Elective Cousrework | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Summer | ||
| BST 830 | Doctoral Dissertation (pre-candidacy) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| EPH 621 | Fundamentals of Epidemiology | 3 |
| Elective Coursework | 3 | |
| Elective Coursework | 3 | |
| BST 650 | Topics in Biostatistical Research | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| BST 690 | Theory of Survival Analysis | 3 |
| BST 650 | Topics in Biostatistical Research | 1 |
| BST 830 | Doctoral Dissertation (pre-candidacy) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 5 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| BST 830 | Doctoral Dissertation (pre-candidacy) | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Spring | ||
| BST 830 | Doctoral Dissertation (pre-candidacy) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Year Five | ||
| Fall | ||
| BST 840 | Doctoral Dissertation (Post-Candidacy) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| BST 840 | Doctoral Dissertation (Post-Candidacy) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 67 | |
Mission
The Doctorate Program in Biostatistics prepares students who have demonstrated excellence in mathematics, statistics, and the natural or social sciences to become research biostatisticians in academia, industry, or government positions, with a general focus on biostatistical applications, big data, and data science.
Goals
Upon completion of the doctoral degree in Biostatistics, all graduates will be able to:
- Conduct original research on the theory and/or methodology of biostatistics
- Apply innovative theory and/or methods to scientific problems
- Apply appropriate advanced data analysis and management techniques to analyze epidemiological data
- Communicate research findings and conclusions (written and oral) in a clear and concise manner
- Serve as an expert biostatistician on collaborative scientific teams
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate an overall knowledge and understanding of the core concepts in biostatistics, including the essential skills to conduct research in biostatistics.
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, the capability to develop conjectures, and the ability to make scholarly contributions.
- Students will demonstrate mastery of research competencies.
