Biostatistics

Director: Shuang Wang, PhD, assistant professor of Biostatistics

The MPH in Biostatistics provides a strong general public health orientation and specific training in quantitative methods, enabling graduates to use and adapt statistical procedures in the design and analysis of studies spanning the spectrum of health-related research. The MPH is designed for students seeking careers in public health and those planning to pursue a DrPH on the doctoral level. Graduates serve as statistical collaborators and consultants or technical resource persons in field and programmatic studies.

Many students enter the program with previous master’s or doctoral degrees or with varying years of practical experience in professional fields related to public health. Each student’s program may be designed on an individual basis in consultation with a faculty advisor, depending on the student’s prior educational experience, professional goals, and interests.

Beginning in the Fall 2012, the Department of Biostatistics will only offer an MPH in Biostatistics through the Accelerated MPH Program, an intensive 1-year course of study. Students from other departments enrolled in the 2-year Columbia MPH program can gain a deeper grounding in biostatistics through the Applied Biostatistics Certificate Program.

For more information on program options, visit the Prospective Student website.

Admissions

Applicants to the MPH program typically hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematical, biological, physical or social sciences, or will receive the degree before registering. Students from other backgrounds will be considered for admission if they have taken at least one semester of college-level calculus (required) and a semester of linear algebra (which may be taken after enrollment but will not count towards required degree credits.)

The most important ingredients for the program are a facility for quantitative reasoning and a true enjoyment in working with data. (Note that students interested in biostatistics for their careers are advised to consider the M.S. in Theory and Methods degree which provides a stronger mathematical foundation in statistical methods.)

Candidates interested in the MPH in Biostatistics should visit the Prospective Student site for more information on the application and admissions process.