PHD BIOS DAT - Biostatistics and Data Science (PhD)
Download as PDF
Program Title
Default Credentials
Program Description
Admission Requirements
The program accepts students for fall enrollment. To be considered for fall admission, all applications must be submitted and completed by June 1.
PhD in Biostatistics and Data Sciences applicants will be evaluated based on the following:
Baccalaureate degree in a relevant scientific discipline
Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (preferred)
Three letters of recommendation
A personal statement
Curriculum Vitae
GRE; A GRE score >300 on the combined verbal and quantitative scores is preferred.
In addition, applicants must have documented training in calculus (including multiple variable integration and differentiation) and linear algebra. Additional training in programming languages is preferred. Applicants may submit code exhibiting their knowledge in a statistical or computer programming language and/or slides presenting a completed data analysis project. These materials are optional but may strengthen the overall application.
Degree Requirements
Program Completion Requirements
The PhD degree is a research degree and is not conferred solely as a result of formal course work, no matter how superior and extensive. The program leading to the PhD degree represents more than the sum of time in residence, and the plans of study listed below are only a minimum. To receive the doctoral degree, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of proficiency and distinctive attainment in a special field and a recognized ability for independent investigation as presented in a dissertation based upon original research.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination covers four first-year courses, namely BDS 721: Analytics, BDS 722: Advanced Analytics, BDS 741: Statistical Inference I, and BDS 751: Statistical Inference in Genetics. The comprehensive exam is offered in May to students who have completed the requisite coursework. Students must successfully pass this exam before undertaking the qualifying examination.
Qualifying Examination and Admission to Candidacy
The qualifying examination is given to graduate students in good academic standing upon completion of coursework and successful passage of the comprehensive examination. The qualifying examination must be successfully completed for admission to candidacy for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. This examination includes a 45-minute oral presentation of a biostatistics or data science project that the student completed under the mentorship of a program faculty member. The examination panel includes the research mentor and two additional faculty from the Biostatistics and Data Science program.
Dissertation
The dissertation must show the originality of thought and demonstrate the results of independent investigation. It should contribute to the advancement of knowledge, exhibit mastery of the subject literature, and be written with an acceptable degree of literary skill. The dissertation, written according to the prescribed form, is prepared under the direction of the candidate's advisor and must be approved by the candidate's doctoral advisory committee and the Dean of the SOPH. This approval must be obtained, and all other requirements must be completed by the date given in the official academic calendar. Guidelines outlining the prescribed form for a student's written thesis can be found on the SOPH Dissertation and Thesis website.
Dissertation Proposal and Dissertation Defense
The oral dissertation proposal defense to the doctoral advisory committee and dissertation defense to the public are mandatory for the successful completion of the dissertation. The candidate's advisory committee will oversee the dissertation process. See the SOPH Thesis and Dissertation Defense policy for details.
Publication Requirement
A student enrolled in the Biostatistics and Data Science Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program must have the results of their co-author research accepted for publication and the results of their first-author research submitted for publication before the awarding of the degree, as outlined in the SOPH Student Publication Requirement policy.
Required Coursework
Students must successfully complete BDS 706: Ethics in Biostatistics and Data Science Research and Practice.
Plan of Study
Year 1 – Fall | ||
|---|---|---|
BDS 721 | Analytics | 3 |
BDS 741 | Statistical Inference I | 3 |
BDS 723 | Statistical Programming with R | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Year 1 – Spring | ||
BDS 706 | Ethics in Biostatistics and Data Science Research and Practice | 1 |
BDS 722 | Advanced Analytics | 3 |
BDS 754 | Principles of Programming with Python | 3 |
BDS 751 | Statistical Inference in Genetics | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
Year 2 – Summer | ||
BDS 797 | Biostatistics & Data Science Internship | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 2 – Fall | ||
BDS 725 | Survival Analysis | 3 |
BDS 761 | Data Science and Machine Learning I | 3 |
PHS 703 or MSCI 710 | Epidemiology I** | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Year 2 – Spring | ||
BDS 724 | Longitudinal and Multilevel Models | 3 |
BDS 765 | Data Science and Machine Learning 2 | 3 |
BDS 792 | Statistical Consulting | 3 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Year 3 – Summer | ||
BDS 797 | Biostatistics & Data Science Internship | 9 |
Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Year 3 – Fall | ||
BDS 739 | Computational Statistics | 3 |
BDS 750 | Study Design and Clinical Trials | 3 |
BDS 790 | Dissertation Research Proposal | 6 |
BDS 794 | Journal Club | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 13 | |
Year 3 – Spring | ||
BDS 795 | Dissertation and Research Proposal II | 6 |
Elective* | 3 | |
Elective* | 3 | |
Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Year 4 – Summer | ||
BDS 797 or BDS 798 | Biostatistics & Data Science Internship or Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 4 – Fall | ||
BDS 798 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 4 – Spring | ||
BDS 798 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 5 – Summer | ||
BDS 797 or BDS 798 | Biostatistics & Data Science Internship or Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 5 – Fall | ||
BDS 798 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
Year 5 – Spring | ||
BDS 798 | Dissertation Research | 1 |
Total Credit Hours | 1 | |
*Electives will be chosen from the courses offered by the Department of Data Science or other graduate degree departments upon approval of the program director.
**Students may substitute PHS 703 - Epidemiology I for MSCI 710 - Epidemiology I in the fall of their second year.
For more information about this program, contact:
Jeannette Simino, PhD, MS
Phone: (601) 984-2696
Email: jsimino@umc.edu