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Master of Science 

Biostatistics

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Fight Public Health Hazards with Advanced Data Analysis

Defend the well-being of diverse populations by analyzing geographic, demographic, and biological information to solve critical problems in public health fields and medical and pharmaceutical industries.

The MS in Biostatistics program provides you with a focused graduate curriculum that includes coursework in various methods of advanced mathematical analysis that can be readily applied to epidemiologic research.

Work alongside renowned faculty as you design clinical experiments, examine big data, identify trends, and perform statistical analyses that lead to improved public health outcomes, health services, and health policies.

Program of Study

Courses below reflect those commonly taken by students in this program. Your advisor will recommend courses based on your background and professional goals.

  • Introduction to the Theory of Statistics I and II
  • Methods of Data Analysis I and II
  • Principles of Public Health
  • Computer Programming and Data Management
  • One or more of the following:
    • Introduction to Bayesian Inference
    • Design of Experiments
    • Sample Survey of Methodology
    • Analysis of Categorical Data
    • Introduction to Stochastic Processes (biometry focus)
  • Supporting Electives (up to 12 credits)
  • Master's Seminar in Biostatistics (required)


Biometry Focus

Take three extra courses in biology, epidemiology, and public health subjects that interest you.


Additional Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Nicole Malachowski at [email protected] or Dr. Melissa Tracy at [email protected].

 

 

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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Learn first-hand from faculty who actively address public health issues facing New York State (NYS). More than 75% of faculty in the School of Public Health hold appointments with the NYS Department of Health, which provides many research opportunities in the labs of the internationally recognized Wadsworth Center.

You may also work with biotechnology firms located on UAlbany’s Health Sciences Campus and with faculty in the University’s Cancer Research Center, Prevention Research Center, Public Health Preparedness Center, Cardiac Quality Improvement Initiative, and Center for Health Workforce Studies.

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CAREER PATHS


Many UAlbany biostatistics graduates are employed with the NYSDOH, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Labor (DOL), and other government agencies.

Others have pursued careers at companies such as General Electric (GE), GlaxoSmithKline, Center for Applied Genomics and Technology, DuPont Corporation, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Admission Requirements

Deadlines

Priority: January 15
General: March 1
Final: Rolling until August 1 on space available basis

Applicants who wish to be considered for a scholarship must submit their application by the priority deadline. Some scholarships require that applications be received earlier than the published priority deadline. Students who wish to be considered for one of the early submission scholarships should consult our Financing Your Degree page and must submit the degree application and any additional required documents by the stated date for that scholarship.

Fee waivers are available for the first program you apply to in SOPHAS to cover the initial $145 application fee. There are three types of fee waivers: financial-based, service-based, and international-based. You may only apply for one type of fee waiver, and the waiver request must be submitted before you submit your SOPHAS application. Fee waivers are granted on a first come, first served basis, so you are strongly encouraged to apply before the priority deadline when requesting a waiver. For more information, visit SOPHAS Fees and Fee Waivers.

Applications are accepted for all programs on a space available basis after the published deadlines. Contact us at [email protected] or 518-402-0361 with any questions.

MS Biostatistics Degree Application

The application and all supporting materials for the MS in Biostatistics must be submitted through SOPHAS. 

Visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center for help with starting your SOPHAS application.

 

Application Requirements

  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university of recognized standing
  • Grade point average of 3.00 or better
  • It is very strongly recommended* to have an undergraduate major in mathematics, statistics, computer science, the biological, physical or social sciences
  • One semester in linear algebra, multivariate calculus and computer programming

*An applicant’s undergraduate major preferably should have been in the mathematical and/or statistical sciences. Students lacking preparation in these areas must make up such deficiencies.

For application specific questions, contact us at [email protected].

 

International Requirements

  • International students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 98 or IELTS score of 7.0. We will only accept official scores sent by the testing institution.
  • UAlbany SOPHAS TOEFL code is 5688. We do not use department codes. 
  • The TOEFL or IELTS is not required for international students who have completed at least four semesters of full-time study within a four-year time frame from time of application, and maintained at least a B average at a college or university in the United States or a country from an approved list.  For questions regarding English Language Proficiency waivers, please email Soha Acosta at [email protected].
  • International students must request a transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The WES evaluation must be sent directly to SOPHAS, NOT the University at Albany or the School of Public Health.


Required Application Materials

Official Transcripts 

  • Official transcripts from EVERY post-secondary academic institution attended, including college coursework completed during high school, must be sent directly from the institution to SOPHAS. You must report all colleges and universities attended and submit official transcripts, even if your transfer credits are listed on your primary transcript. See Sending Official Transcripts for more guidelines.
  • UAlbany students must have an official UAlbany transcript sent directly to SOPHAS.
  • Applicants who use the transcript entry service provided by SOPHAS should note that the entry process adds TWO FULL WEEKS to the time it takes for an application to be verified and considered complete by the admissions committee.


Standardized Exam

  • The standardized test requirement may be waived for applicants who have completed a graduate degree program from an accredited US institution and received a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the program. Applicants should consult directly with the department to determine waiver eligibility. 

Three letters of recommendation

  • A minimum of two letters must be from academic faculty 
  • At least one letter must be from a university faculty member in the major field of study
  • Applicants who have been out of school for five or more years may submit professional references
  • Letters must be signed and on institutional/organizational letterhead

 

Personal Statement

  • Why do you wish to pursue a career in public health and why are you interested in your chosen area of study?
  • 2-page limit
  • The personal statement must have well-defined research interests and should be very specific in nature

 

CV/Resume

 

Application Submission

Applicants should submit their application as soon as the items you have control over are complete (personal statement, resume/CV, institutions attended, coursework entry, and all other required sections of the online application). Test scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation will be added as they are received, after which SOPHAS will begin verifying your application.

Applications will not be reviewed until all required items, including official transcripts, official test scores, and required letters of recommendation, have been received and your application has been verified.  Please note that once SOPHAS has received all of your application materials, it may take up to 4 full weeks to be verified by SOPHAS.  Be sure to request all transcripts, recommendations, and standardized test scores in advance so that your application can be completed and verified by the specified application deadline.



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Student Learning Objectives

 

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Core Competencies
  • Describe the roles biostatistics serves in the discipline of public health.
  • Describe basic concepts of probability, random variation and commonly used statistical probability distributions.
  • Describe preferred methodological alternatives to commonly used statistical methods when assumptions are not met.
  • Distinguish among the different measurement scales and the implications for selection of statistical methods to be used based on these distinctions.
  • Apply descriptive techniques commonly used to summarize public health data.
  • Apply common statistical methods for inference.
  • Apply descriptive and inferential methodologies according to the type of study design for answering a particular research question.
  • Apply basic informatics techniques with vital statistics and public health records in the description of public health characteristics and in public health research and evaluation.
  • Interpret results of statistical analyses found in public health studies.
  • Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses for both public health professionals and educated lay audiences.
  • Capability to build statistical model over real health data.
  • Estimate and compare efficiency of models.
  • Use statistical software to analyze health –related data.
  • Be able to explain the advantages of a Bayesian data analysis.
  • Perform univariate data analysis for continuous and categorical variables.
  • Interpret inferential findings within Bayesian thinking (e.g. credible intervals, hypothesis testing).Conduct inference via posterior simulation and simulations tool.
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