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COPH Department: Epidemiology & Biostatistics
Concentration: Biostatistics (BST)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
Biostatistics involves the development and application of statistical techniques to scientific research in health-related fields, including medicine, biology, and public health. From the beginning of the 20th century, the field of biostatistics has been at the quantitative core of efforts to improve health and reduce illness. Biostatisticians play indispensable roles in designing studies and analyzing data as diverse as the testing new drugs to combat AIDS, evaluating interventions to reduce drug and alcohol addiction, determining risk factors for heart diseases, regulating environmental hazards, and protecting food safety. Today biostatistics is becoming the backbone of informatics to process massive data that are generated on an unprecedented scale.
The PhD program provides advanced training and research opportunities in statistical theory, biostatistical methods, and their applications in a wide spectrum of fields including epidemiology, mental health prevention, environmental health, clinical trials, and health services research. With a curriculum that is both interdisciplinary and adaptive to individual student needs and interests, the program prepares students for a career as a methodologists in academia, government, industries, and health care organizations.
Program of Study
The courses in your program of study can be found below, for your reference. Note: You may choose a program of study that corresponds to the academic year of your admission or any year thereafter. Please see the guidelines below.
USF Guidelines on Choosing a Program of Study
Competencies
PhD Competencies
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Biostatistics Competencies
Doctoral students successfully completing the Biostatistics PhD program in the Department will possess a defined set of competencies. These competencies should be used to guide the student and the students Doctoral Program committee in planning a program of study. Competencies can be met through previous academic or work experience or through a combination of planned course work and other scholarly experiences. Download the College PhD Student Competency Form at: http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/academicaffairs/For%20Faculty/COPH%20College-wide%20PhD%20competencies.pdf.
In addition to the overall PhD degree competencies graduates with a concentration in Biostatistics will have:
- General knowledge of public health with respect to health policy, healthcare management and delivery, community health, and environmental health;
- In depth knowledge of epidemiology evaluation of healthcare outcome and system; Special knowledge in a chosen field of public health where the student has interests in conducting biostatistical applications;
- In depth knowledge of the history of biostatistics with respect to its role in medicine and public health;
- Skills to search and review health literature to understand substantive research questions;
- Skills to search and review statistical literature to understand the limitations and strengths of key methodologies;
- Ability to articulate research needs for evaluating methods, improving existing methods, and developing new methods;
- Ability to translate a substantive research question into statistical question and identify biostatistical methods to address it;
- Ability to design and carry out a research study plan for an application project, including an analysis plan;
- Clear understanding of the role a Biostatistician plays in enhancing scientific integrity with respect to data collection, analysis, reporting, and interpretation;
- Experience and skills in consultation and collaboration with researchers of diverse background;
- Ability of effective communication, including effective presentation of findings at professional meetings and seminars, teaching introductory biostatistics courses, and interpreting statistical analysis for lay persons;
- Exposure to leadership development in a team environment;
- Experience in scientific writing, including developing applications for pre- or post-doctoral fellowships, manuscript preparation, participating in developing research grant proposals; and
- Knowledge of funding opportunities from federal, local governments, and non-profit sources.
Department Details
For department guidelines see the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Student Resources Page.
Please send feedback on the PhD Guidebook
