Biostatistics

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics prepares candidates for leadership roles in the development and application of statistical methods to biomedical research for the advancement of public health. The program requirements for the PhD degree differ from those for the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) in that the curriculum, examinations, and dissertation involve more emphasis on statistical theory in the context of public health applications.

The PhD in Biostatistics is awarded by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) of Columbia University as governed by the Doctoral Program Subcommittee on Biostatistics. The program is administered by the faculty and staff of the Mailman School of Public Health.

Building on the foundation of the MS in Theory and Methods (MS/TM), the PhD includes the completion of any MS/TM requirements not previously met in the student’s prior master’s program, the equivalent of four semesters of additional full-time study, written and oral comprehensive examinations, and the completion and oral defense of an independent, original dissertation on a problem in statistical theory or method with relevance to a biomedical or public health application. The typical time for completion of the PhD degree is four to five years- two years for course work and written qualifiers and two to three years for the dissertation.

Admissions

Only students who have a master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics are admitted into the Biostastistics PhD program at Columbia. Highly qualified students without a master’s degree are encouraged to apply to the Accelerated Predoctoral Training (APT) Track or to the Theory and Methods (TM) Track, both offered by the Mailman School of Public Health.

Other admission criteria include: a score of at least 700 on the quantitative section of the Graduate Record Exam; a score of at least 600 on the verbal aptitude test; a thorough knowledge of calculus (equivalent to two years of undergraduate study); a course in linear/matrix algebra; and study of a programming language (e.g., Fortran, C, APL). A course in real analysis is also strongly recommended.

Applicants to the PhD degree program should submit their completed online applications to the Mailman School by December 1st to ensure full consideration for admission and funding.