Biostatistics - Data Science in Public Health Concentration, (MS)

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The goal of the Data Science in Public Health, added to the existing MS program, MS in Biostatistics, is two-fold: 1) to train students with advanced statistical computational skills including machine learning and data mining to solve public health challenges, and 2) to prepare students to seek positions analyzing large data from government and private health agencies, industry, and research institutes.

Master of Science (MS) Degree Program

Hongmei Zhang, PhD, MS

Professor and Director, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health

224 Robison Hall

901.678.1715

Email: hzhang6@memphis.edu

The goal of the MS in Biostatistics program is to train students for positions in government and private health agencies, industry, and research institutes, and to prepare students who plan to enter a doctoral program in biostatistics or bioinformatics. The MS in Biostatistics is more focused and provides in depth training on biostatistical analytical tools and their related theoretical background. An MS in Biostatistics is beneficial to mid-career professionals who want to engage in population health and work in population health related research institutes, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Program objectives are: (1) Prepare students with analytical expertise in the field of public health; (2) Prepare students who plan to enter a doctoral program in biostatistics or bioinformatics with solid theoretical foundation; (3) Pursue innovative and rigorous research on critical public health issues to prevent disease and injury, promote well-being, and foster overall physical and mental health.

Program Admission

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission. It is required that applicants have the necessary mathematical, computational, and statistics background (e.g., calculus and linear algebra, programming, and introduction to statistics). Applicants for this program must show a potential for further study by having maintained a GPA of at least a 3.0 average in their bachelor’s-level coursework. An acceptable score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test (verbal and quantitative) is required from within the past five years. Verbal and quantitative GRE scores at 50% or above are preferred in each area. Other professional school standardized test scores (MCAT, DAT, GMAT, or LSAT) may be substituted for the GRE by applicants who are working toward or who have already earned post-baccalaureate degrees for example, in medicine, dentistry, business, or law.

All applicants who will be attending the University on a visa and who are not native speakers of English must supply a minimum score of 79 on the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL/iBT), 220 on the computer-based test, or 550 on the paper-based test (TOEFL/PBT). International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also acceptable in lieu of the TOEFL with a minimum acceptable score of 6.0.

Letters of recommendation from three individuals (at least one letter from a former professor or instructor) familiar with the applicant’s academic background or experience in public health related issues, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future performance as a public health professional, are required. Applicants must also submit a personal statement of approximately 750 to 1000 words indicating his/her present interests and career goals, including how the MS in Biostatistics will prepare the candidate to achieve these goals.

Materials submitted will be reviewed by the faculty admissions committee. Admissions decisions are made based on the overall quality of the applicant’s scholarship and academic ability (based on GPAs, GRE scores, undergraduate coursework completed, and recommendations).

Program Requirements

The total number of credit hours is 36, including two (2) core courses, seven (7) biostatistics/statistics core courses, two (2) elective courses, and a thesis. Instead of completing a thesis and thesis defense, students have the option to take a written comprehensive exam plus a Master’s project with a report focusing on data analyses. Students are required to take a qualifying exam at the end of year one.

Courses Include:

General Core Courses:
PUBH 7170 - Epidemiology in PUBH I** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7180 - Foundations of PUBH ** Credit Hours: (3)
Biostatistics/Statistics core courses:
PUBH 7150 - Biostatistical Methods I ** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7152 - Biostatistical Methods II ** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7311 - Appl Categorical Data Analys Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7309 - Appl Surv Analys in Pub Hlth Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7310 - Mixed Model Regression Analys Credit Hours: (3)
MATH 6636 - Intro Statistical Theory Credit Hours: (3) *
MATH 7654 - Inference Theory Credit Hours: (3)
Elective courses (6 hours)
PUBH 7190 - Adv SAS for PUBH Prof 1 Credit Hours: (3)
MATH 7680 - Bayesian Inference Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7308 - Appl Multivariate Stat Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7104 - Large Data Sets/PUBH Research Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7153 - Biostat. in Bioinformatics Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7172 - Epidemiology PUBH II ** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7141 - Epidemiologic Survey Method ** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7300 - Spatial Anlys/Sim for UrbnHlth ** Credit Hours: (3)
PUBH 7450 - Randomized Clinical Trials I Credit Hours: (3)
HADM 7206 - Managerial Epidemiology ** Credit Hours: (3)
HADM 7109 - Health Information Systems ** Credit Hours: (3)
*To take MATH 6636 (Introduction to Statistical Theory), students must have either taken or Introduction to Probability Theory (MATH 6635 ) or are able to document its equivalent. Given the importance of this pre-requisite course, each student’s academic advisor will ensure that his/her advisees meet this requirement before taking MATH 6636 .

Note:

** denotes courses that may be available online.

Thesis or Comprehensive Exam Route

One of the following two options:

For students taking the exit Comprehensive Exam route: PUBH 7992 (3 credit hours) and a written Comprehensive Exam including material in the following three courses: 1) PUBH 7310 (Mixed Model Regression Analysis) 2) PUBH 7311 (Applied Categorical Data Analysis) 3) COMP 7745 (Machine Learning).

OR:

For students taking the thesis route: Thesis (3)

PUBH 7996

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for graduation, students need to meet the following requirements: Complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work beyond the bachelor’s degree including a 3 hour thesis credits (students have an option to replace these 3 credits by a written comprehensive exam plus a Master project with a report focusing on data analyses for a research project).

Retention Requirements

All students enrolled in the MS Biostatistics program are expected to attain high academic achievement in all courses taken. The following criteria will be used to determine retention status of students:

Students having been admitted unconditionally who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be considered in good standing if not more than 2 (two) grades of 2.00C+ or lower has been earned.

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.00. In accordance with the Graduate School guidelines, any student not meeting this requirement will be placed on probation. The Coordinator of the MS Biostatistics will review each student’s academic record to determine whether to request permission from the Graduate School to allow a student who has not maintained a 3.00 GPA to continue to enroll in classes while on probation. The Coordinator of the MS in Biostatistics must approve courses for a student on probation. Probationary status continues even if the student has a grade under appeal. If a student remains on probation for two consecutive semesters or remains on probation after taking three courses (9 semester hours) without raising the overall GPA to 3.00, the student will be suspended from the program. Appeals of suspension must be submitted in writing to the Coordinator of the MS in Biostatistics.

A student who has been suspended from the MS in Biostatistics program will be denied enrollment in PUBH courses subsequent after suspension.