Biostatistics

Course selection, done in consultation with academic advisors, is based on background, previous education, and research interests.

As the PhD program only admits students who already have a master’s degree in biostatistics or statistics, doctoral students enter the program with introductory course work already completed in the theories of probability and statistical inference. Students may then immediately register for the required three-semester sequence of advanced courses in the theory of statistical inference and asymptotic statistics. Students will also have had master’s level courses in regression analysis, experimental design, multivariate methods, and the analysis of categorical data and be able to register for advanced courses on these topics as well.

Cognate Field Requirement

In addition to mastering course work in statistics, PhD students must satisfy a “cognate field” requirement to gain knowledge and expertise in a biomedical research field other than statistics/biostatistics. Examples of cognate fields of study include biomedical informatics, computational biology, environmental sciences, epidemiology, genomics, health policy research, human biology, physiology, and imaging. Students must take a minimum of two courses at the graduate level in the selected cognate field, chosen in consultation with their advisor and approved in writing by the Department chair or director of academic programs. The requirement is fulfilled when a grade of B or better is obtained in two cognate field courses, which should be completed by the end of the second year of study.

Course Work

PhD students are encouraged to take full advantage of graduate course offerings in other departments of the Mailman School of Public Health, other departments and schools of the Medical Center, and Columbia’s Morningside Heights Campus including, but not limited to, the Department of Statistics, to extend their knowledge of theory and methods, develop an area of expertise, and familiarize themselves with the content and issues specific to the biomedical or public health problem or application of their research.

Inter-University Doctoral Consortium

Another resource contributing to the wide selection of course offerings available to PhD students is the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium (IUDC), which enables Columbia Graduate School students in their second academic year to cross-register for courses at any of the following member institutions: CUNY Graduate Center, Fordham University, New School for Social Research, New York University, Princeton University, Rutgers University, and Stony Brook University. For additional information and the application form please refer to the IUDC pages.

PhD Curriculum

Students are required to take the following biostatistics courses, or to have taken the equivalent courses elsewhere with grades of B+ or better.

Residence and Registration Requirements

All PhD students are required to accumulate six Residence Units (RUs). A Residence Unit is the equivalent of a semester of full-time study. After one year of study, students may apply for advanced standing of up to two RUs representing work completed in their master’s program. All PhD students are expected to attend full-time, especially during the research and dissertation phases of their program. A whole RU, Extended Registration (ER), or Matriculation and Facilities (M&F) are all considered full-time registration statuses. In instances of extreme financial hardship, students may be permitted to work part time during course work when tuition costs are higher.