Academic Programs Catalog

The master’s degree program in biostatistics is designed to provide graduate students with essential quantitative training necessary for public health and medical research. Students completing the program will be well prepared to design experimental studies and analyze data in important areas of clinical and biomedical investigations. Required courses concentrate on the principles of study design,  methods for analysis of biomedical data of the continuous, categorical and mixed types from clinical experiments and from observational studies. Elective courses are offered in analytic methods for longitudinal data, genomic and genetic data, and censored data. 

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, and of the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission applicants must:

1. Have a bachelor’s degree including undergraduate or graduate level quantitative methods with at least two semesters of college-level calculus, a course in matrix or linear algebra, and an introductory course in statistics.
2. Demonstrate interest or experience in a public health field by submitting a statement of purpose. 
3. Provide an official transcript.
4. Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Test results should not be older than five years.
5. Submit three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic advisor from a previous program.
6. Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores, if an international applicant. A minimum score of 80 on the internet-based test, 550 on the paper-based test or 237 on the computer-based test, or passing grade on the MSU English Language Test (MSUELT). Scores must be no older than two years. International students with full native fluency in English are exempt.

Students with less preparation may be provisionally admitted. Credits earned in collateral course work will not count towards the degree requirements.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Biostatistics

The program is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 33 credits is required for both Plan A or Plan B, with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level.  The student's program of study must be approved by the student's academic advisor and guidance committee with the approval of the Dean of the College of Human Medicine.

Students must:

1.	All of the following courses (11 credits):
	EPI	808B	Advanced Biostatistics						3
	EPI	810	Introductory Epidemiology						3
	EPI	826B	Categorical Data Analysis						3
	EPI	828	Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research						1
	EPI	856	Statistical Consulting in Public Health						1
2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	EPI	853B	Statistical Computing						3
	STT	802	Statistical Computation						3
3.	Complete 12 credits (Plan A) or 15 credits (Plan B) of additional credits in biostatistics electives from the following:
	EC	821A	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I						3
	EC	821B	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II						3
	EPI	851	SAS Programming I: Essentials						1
	EPI	852	SAS Programming II: Data Management and Analysis						1
	EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis						3
	EPI	858	Clinical Trials						3
	EPI	951	Latent Variable Modeling						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
	FOR	875	R Programming for Data Sciences						3
	STT	464	Statistics for Biologists						3
	STT	465	Bayesian Statistical Methods						3
	STT	801	Design of Experiments						3
	STT	814	Advanced Statistics for Biologists						4
	STT	825	Sample Surveys						3
	STT	847	Analysis of Survival Data						3
	STT	861	Theory of Probability and Statistics I						3
	STT	862	Theory of Probability and Statistics II						3
	Additional elective courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
4.	Complete 3 additional credits of epidemiology electives from the following:
	EPI	805	Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought						3
	EPI	812	Causal Inference in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	815	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease						3
	EPI	816	Perinatal Epidemiology						3
	EPI	817	Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases						3
	EPI	819	Spatial Epidemiology and Medical Geography						3
	EPI	823	Cancer Epidemiology						3
	EPI	835	Neuroepidemiology						3
	EPI	890	Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics						1 to 3
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
	EPI	977	Social Epidemiology						3
	EPI	979	Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology						3
	LCS	829	Design and Conduct of Epidemiologic Studies and Clinical Trials						3
5.	Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (Human).
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1.	The following course (4 credits):
	EPI	899	Master’s Thesis Research						4
2.	Pass an oral defense of the thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1.	Complete a capstone project through enrollment in 1 credit of EPI 890 Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
2.	Pass a final oral examination or evaluation of the capstone project.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biostatistics provides students with the quantitative skills needed for the development, evaluation and application of novel methods for the analysis of modern biomedical data.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university, and of the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

For admission to the doctoral degree in biostatistics on regular status, the student must:

1. have a master’s degree in biostatistics, statistics, or related field;
2. submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE)scores, or MCAT scores;
3. provide TOEFL scores if their native language is other than English;
4. provide three letters of recommendation;
5. provide a statement of purpose;
6. provide official transcripts.

Applicants with strong academic records who are in the process of completing a master of science may be admitted on a provisional basis. The first 33 credits applied towards the completion of a master of science may not be counted toward the Ph.D. in Biostatistics.

Applicants who are admitted without a master’s degree will be required to complete collateral course work to make up deficiencies. Collateral course work will not count towards the fulfillment of degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that applicants have taken course work in multivariate calculus, advanced undergraduate linear algebra and probability, and numerical computing.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biostatistics

The doctoral degree program offers three concentration areas: design and analysis of medical studies; big data and statistical genetics; and ad biometry, a flexible option for students with diverse interests. The concentration is selected in consultation with a faculty advisor and guidance committee.

Students must:

1.	Complete all of the following courses (13 credits):
	EPI	810	Introductory Epidemiology						3
	EPI	828	Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research						1
	EPI	860	Advanced Inference for Biostatistics						3
	STT	867	Linear Model Methodology						3
	STT	868	Mixed Models: Theory, Methods and Applications						3
2.	Complete one of the following concentrations:
	Design and Analysis of Medical Studies
	1.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
		EPI	858	Clinical Trial I					3
		EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis					3
		Or
		STT	847	Analysis of Survival Data					3
	2.	Complete 11 credits of elective course work:
		ANS	814	Advanced Statistics for Biologists					4
		CSE	331	Algorithms and Data Structures					3
		CSE	480	Database Systems					3
		CSE	482	Big Data Analysis					3
		CSE	847	Machine Learning					3
		CSE	881	Data Mining					3
		EC	821A	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I					3
		EC	821	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II					3
		EPI	812	Causal Inference in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis					3
		EPI	880	Selected Topics in Biostatistics					3
		EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics					3
		EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis					3
		EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies					3
		EPI	990	Independent Study					3
		STT	801	Design of Experiments					3
		STT	825	Sample Surveys					3
		STT	855	Statistical Genetics					3
		STT	861	Theory of Probability and Statistics I					3
		STT	862	Theory of Probability and Statistics II					3
		STT	873	Statistical Learning and Data Mining					3
		STT	874	Introduction to Bayesian Analysis					3
		Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
	Big Data and Statistical Genetics
	1.	One of the following courses:
		EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis					3
		Or
		STT	855	Statistical Genetics					3
		CSE	231	Introduction to Programming I					3
		Or
		CSE	232	Introduction to Programming II					4
		STT	456	Actuarial Models II					3
	2.	Complete 11 credits of elective course work:
		ANS	814	Advanced Statistics for Biologists					4
		CSE	331	Algorithms and Data Structures					3
		CSE	480	Database Systems					3
		CSE	482	Big Data Analysis					3
		CSE	847	Machine Learning					3
		CSE	881	Data Mining					3
		EC	821A	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I					3
		EC	821	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II					3
		EPI	812	Causal Inference in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	858	Clinical Trials					3
		EPI	880	Selected Topics in Biostatistics					3
		EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics					3
		EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis					3
		EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies					3
		EPI	990	Independent Study					3
		STT	801	Design of Experiments					3
		STT	825	Sample Surveys					3
		STT	861	Theory of Probability and Statistics I					3
		STT	862	Theory of Probability and Statistics II					3
		STT	873	Statistical Learning and Data Mining					3
		STT	874	Introduction to Bayesian Analysis					3
		Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
	Biometry
	1.	Complete 14 credits of elective course work:
		ANS	814	Advanced Statistics for Biologists					4
		CSE	331	Algorithms and Data Structures					3
		CSE	480	Database Systems					3
		CSE	482	Big Data Analysis					3
		CSE	847	Machine Learning					3
		CSE	881	Data Mining					3
		EC	821A	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics I					3
		EC	821	Cross Section and Panel Data Econometrics II					3
		EPI	812	Causal Inference in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis					3
		EPI	858	Clinical Trials					3
		EPI	880	Selected Topics in Biostatistics					3
		EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics					3
		EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology					3
		EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis					3
		EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies					3
		EPI	990	Independent Study					3
		STT	801	Design of Experiments					3
		STT	825	Sample Surveys					3
		STT	847	Survival Analysis					3
		STT	855	Statistical Genetics					3
		STT	861	Theory of Probability and Statistics I					3
		STT	862	Theory of Probability and Statistics II					3
		STT	873	Statistical Learning and Data Mining					3
		STT	874	Introduction to Bayesian Analysis					3
		Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
2.	Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (human).
3.	Attend 80% of department-sponsored Seminars.
4.	Attend 80% of department Ph.D. Journal Club meetings.
5.	Present at one Ph.D. Journal Club meeting.
6.	Pass a comprehensive examination.
7.	Complete 24 credits of EPI 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
8.	Pass an oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Academic Standards

Students will sit for a comprehensive examination after the necessary course work is completed, typically at the end of the first year of study. A student who fails the comprehensive examination may repeat it only once. A retake examination will generally be given in January.




 

The master's degree program is designed to provide students with the epidemiologic and biostatistical skills essential to engaging in clinical and population-based research.
Students are trained in a wide range of applications of epidemiologic methods, from investigation into the causes of disease to the means for prevention. The program prepares students to participate in public health activities sponsored by academic, government and non-governmental organizations such as health planning, disease control, and community health projects.. Required core courses concentrate on the population approach to disease, quantification of disease frequency, approaches to acute disease outbreaks, relevant biostatistical techniques, sources of health data, research design and analysis, and the development of skills in epidemiologic judgment.  Specialized elective courses are offered in epidemiologic aspects of heart disease, cancer, reproductive health, and communicable diseases.

Admission

A bachelor's degree is required for admission to the program.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Epidemiology

The program is available only under Plan A (with thesis).  The distribution of credits within the student's program is determined by the student's academic advisor and guidance committeee. The guidance committee determines the form, scope, and time of required examinations.

Students must complete 40 credits, with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level:

1.	All of the following courses (31 credits):
	EPI	808	Biostatistics I						3
	EPI	809	Biostatistics II						3
	EPI	810	Introductory Epidemiology						3
	EPI	812	Causal Inference in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	817	Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases						3
	EPI	826	Research Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	828	Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research						1
	EPI	836	Practicum in Epidemiological Methods						3
	EPI	851	SAS Programming I: Essentials						1
	EPI	852	SAS Programming II: Data Management and Analysis						1
	EPI	899	Master's Thesis Research						4
	LCS	829	Design and Conduct of Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials						3
2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
	EPI	815	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease						3
	EPI	823	Cancer Epidemiology						3
3.	An additional 6 credits of elective course work from the following list of approved courses:
	EPI	805	Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought						3
	EPI	815	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease						3
	EPI	816	Perinatal Epidemiology						3
	EPI	823	Cancer Epidemiology						3
	EPI	835	Neuroepidemiology						3
	EPI	890	Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics						1 to 3
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
	EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics						3
	EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
	EPI	977	Social Epidemiology						3
	EPI	979	Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology						3
	STT	847	Analysis of Survival Data						3
	Additional elective courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
4.	Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops (human)
5.	Pass an oral examination in defense of the thesis.

The Ph.D. degree program is designed for students who plan to become independent researchers in epidemiology. Emphasis is on the development and mastery of epidemiologic ad biostatistical skills required for the highest levels of scholarship investigation, and leadership in public health work. Students design and complete their own investigator-initiated research projects are prepared to compete for research grant awards supported by the National Institutes of Health and other agencies that fund epidemiology research. Learning experiences are pursued through course work and readings, apprenticeships with supervising faculty, participation on a research team, and completion of the dissertation research project.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the program:

1. an applicant must have earned a bachelor's or master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology degree with at least 40 credits.
2. applicants who earned their master of science or master of public health in epidemiology at an institution other than Michigan State University will be evaluated individually by the department to determine if any additional collateral course work will be required. Credits earned in collateral courses will not count toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.
3. submit GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores, or MCAT scores.
4. present evidence of competency in English (TOEFL or MELAB scores) with their application if their native language is not English.
5. submit three letters of recommendation.
6. submit a statement of purpose.
7. submit official transcripts.

Applicants with strong academic records who are in the process of completing a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may be admitted on a provisional basis. The first 40 credits applied towards the completion of a master of science or a master of public health in epidemiology may not be counted toward the Ph.D. in Epidemiology.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and the College of Human Medicine, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Epidemiology

Students must complete 51 credits for the degree with no more than 6 credits at the 400-level. 

1.	All of the following courses (7 credits):
	EPI	805	Readings in the Historical Roots of Epidemiological Thought						3
	EPI	828	Seminar in Responsible Conduct of Research						1
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
2.	Two of the following courses (6 credits):
	EPI	855	Biostatistical Modeling in Genomic Data Analysis						3
	EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics						3
	EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
3.	Complete a minimum of 15 credits of elective course work from the following list of approved courses. Additional courses may be chosen with advisor approval.
	EPI	815	Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease						3
	EPI	816	Perinatal Epidemiology						3
	EPI	823	Cancer Epidemiology						3
	EPI	835	Neuroepidemiology						3
	EPI	890	Independent Study in Epidemiology and Biostatistics						1 to 3
	EPI	910	Themes in Contemporary Epidemiology						3
	EPI	920	Advanced Methods in Epidemiology and Applied Statistics						3
	EPI	950	Advanced Biostatistical Methods in Epidemiology						3
	EPI	952	Duration and Severity Analysis						3
	EPI	953	Analytical Strategies for Observational Studies						3
	EPI	977	Social Epidemiology						3
	EPI	979	Advanced Topics of Infectious Disease Epidemiology						3
	STT	847	Analysis of Survival Data						3
4.	Attend all MSU Graduate School Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Workshops.
5.	Attendance at 80% of all presentations in the departmental epidemiology seminar series during the period of course work.
6.	Attendance at 80% of Ph.D. Journal Club meetings.
7.	Present at one Ph.D. Journal Club meeting.
8.	Pass a Qualifying Examination at the end of the first year of study.
9.	Pass a Comprehensive Examination.
10.	Successfully complete 24 credits of Epidemiology 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
11.	Successfully defend the oral defense of the doctoral dissertation.

Academic Standards

A student who fails the Qualifying Examination may repeat it only once. A Remediation Examination will be given in late summer immediately following the failed examination. A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination may repeat in only once. A retake examination will be given at the beginning of the subsequent semester.