Biostatistics

The Biostatistics PhD program emphasizes both didactic and experiential learning. Program years 1 and 2 will include theoretical and applied classroom work in the core mathematical statistics and biostatistics courses, with additional electives in mathematics and/or computer science, and in the life sciences. The core courses incorporate classroom projects in theory and data analysis, and introduce literate programming and reproducible research practices. Year 2 requires a set of Biostatistics Rotations under the tutorship of a faculty mentor, using data drawn from collaborative projects in biomedical or public health sciences, with required oral and written presentations. The student will select, by the end of year 2, a primary advisor from among participating program faculty. Additional training in the biomedical area of application will occur in years 3 and 4. Throughout, the student will participate in presentations and discussions in a seminar series and journal club. 
The PhD thesis, completed in years 3-4 and potentially 5, will contain an original contribution of quality that would be acceptable for publication in the biostatistics literature, which extends the theory or methodology of biostatistics, or extends biostatistical methods to solve a critical problem in applied disciplines.

Degree requirements include 64 units of coursework from Mathematical Statistics (24 units), Biostatistics (29 units), Life Sciences (8 units) and Electives (3 units), and training in Human Subjects Research and Ethics. All qualified students will obtain the degree in Biostatistics (PhD or MS). Students will enroll in the PhD but may be granted a terminal MS.

PhD students are required to obtain  64 units of coursework from the following courses. For the MS degree the requirement is 52 units (48 units of required courses in Mathematical Statistics and Biostatistics and 4 units in Life Sciences). Full time graduate student must register for a minimum of 12 units per quarter. These 12 units can be made up of a combination of required coursework as described below, additional elective coursework if any, and special study courses (BST 251ABC). All student course programs, as well as any changes throughout the quarter, must be approved by a faculty advisor prior to registering for classes each quarter.

Required Courses (61 units) 

1. Two among the following courses:

   Required (Core) Courses in the Department of Mathematics (24 units)

   1. MATH 284 (Survival Analysis, 4 units)
   2. MATH 282 A, B (Linear Models, 4 units each)
   3. MATH 281 A, B,C (Mathematical Statistics I-II, 4 units each)
   4. Required (Core) Courses in Biostatistics (29 units) Each of:
      1. FMPH 221: Biostatistical Methods I (4 units)
      2. FMPH 222: Biostatistical Methods II (4 units)
      3. FMPH 223: Analysis of Longitudinal Data (4 units)
      4. FMPH 241: Biostatistics Rotation (2 quarters, 3 units each)
      5. FMPH 290: Biostatistics Seminar/Journal Club (3 quarters, 1 unit each)
      1. FMPH 224: Clinical Trials and Experimental Design (4 units)
      2. FMPH 225: Advanced Topics in Biostatistical Inference (4 units)
      3. FMPH226: Statistical Methods for Observational Studies (4 units)
      4. FMPH 227: Advanced Multivariate Methods (4 units)
   5. We note that all of the Biostatistics core courses except FMPH 290 carry a data analysis component. Students will be exposed to projects involving advanced data analyses to address complex life sciences problems. All courses except FMPH 290 are letter grade only.
   6. Required Life Sciences (8 units)
   7. Two courses at the upper division or the graduate level in Biomedical Sciences, Neurosciences, Epidemiology, Public Health, Biology, Systems Biology, Bioengineering, or Medicine, letter grade if possible. These courses are intended to provide the students with background in the life sciences and an introduction to complex life sciences problems that will constitute the area of application of their thesis and future research. The students are strongly encouraged to take further Life Sciences elective courses that are relevant to their research. Selection of all Life Sciences courses should be made in consultation with the thesis adviser.

Elective Courses (3 units)

Students are required to take at least 3 additional units of elective courses for letter grade from the following list.

1. Biostatistics Elective Courses
2. The Biostatistics elective courses are listed under one umbrella course number: FMPH 242, Advanced Topics in Biostatistics (3 units). This course is taught in rotation by the Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics faculty, and the curriculum will vary. Among the topics are:
   1. Random field theory and applications in image analysis
   2. Advanced Statistical Computing
   3. Bayesian methods
   4. Statistical collaboration in health sciences
3. Statistical Methods Electives:
   1. MATH 280 ABC (Probability Theory, 4 units)
   2. MATH 287 B (Multivariate Analysis, 4 units)
   3. MATH 287 D (Statistical learning, 4 units)
   4. MATH 287A, C (Time Series Analysis, 4 units each)
   5. MATH 202A (Applied Algebra I, 4 units)
   6. MATH 240ABC (Real Analysis, 4 units)
   7. MATH 271ABC (Numerical Optimization, 4 units)
   8. MATH 285 (Stochastic Processes, 4 units)
4. Computer Science Electives:
   1. CSE 202 (Algorithm Design and Analysis)
   2. ECE 273 (Convex Optimization, 4 units)
   3. CSE 250B: (Learning Algorithms, 4 units)
   4. CSE 255: (Data mining and predictive analytics, 4 units)
   5. CSE 260: (Parallel computation)
   6. CSE 283 (Genomics, Proteomics, Systems Biology, 4 units)

Biostatistics Rotations (FMPH 241) 

The Biostatistics Rotations are a singular feature of this PhD program that takes advantage of the extensive involvement of the program faculty in collaborative and interdisciplinary work within the Life Sciences. Students will complete at least two and up to five quarter-length rotations before advancing to candidacy, each in the form of an interdisciplinary applied data analysis project. They may work in collaboration with any UCSD faculty researcher who conducts studies or experiments which generate data in the medical, biological, public health or pharmacologic sciences, and who will serve as a subject area mentor, under the primary mentorship of any Biostatistics or Statistics member of the interdepartmental program. Each practicum will last a minimum of 10 weeks and will involve the analysis of original data. The student will prepare or substantially contribute to a project report, which will be reviewed and signed off on by the mentor. The rotation may be conducted as part of employment as a Graduate Student Researcher or as part of the dissertation research. A report based on an internship of at least 10 weeks duration at a facility, government health office, institute or company outside of UCSD focusing on biological or medical research can also be used to satisfy this requirement.

Requirements

• Statement of Purpose (details provided below)
• Transcripts (official transcripts will be required if admitted into the program); GPA >= 3.0 required for admission.
• List of mathematics and statistics courses taken/projected as well as textbooks used
• Three letters of recommendation; at least two should address academic and/or professional  qualifications for pursuing a PhD program in biostatistics. If more than three are received, the first three received will be reviewed.
• General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores
• TOEFL test scores (for international applicants from non-English speaking countries)
• PhD Applicants Who Are U.S. Citizens are required to complete a FAFSA. This will assist in determining which applicants are eligible for grants that may have been awarded to support the interdepartmental program by various agencies and donors. FAFSA information plays no role in admission decisions.
• Curriculum vitae

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose and objectives (1200-1500 word limit suggested) should address all of the following items:

• Describe those experiences that have shaped your interest in biostatistics. Do you have a preferred area of interest within the biostatistics discipline?
• Describe the one academic experience that has meant the most to you in your educational career.
• Outline your professional goals, both immediate and long term.
• Discuss why you are interested in the Biostatistics PhD program offered in the School of Medicine (Dept. of Family Medicine and Public Health, UCSD), the strengths you bring with you, and those areas in which you would like to increase your expertise and personal growth. Please specify if you have publications, work  or other experience which you feel makes you more likely to succeed in this program.

Financial Support

Qualified students will receive financial support for up to 5 years.

Students will be supported by:

1. Teaching Assistant Positions (generally first or second year students)
2. Graduate Student Research Positions (generally 3rd, 4th and 5th year students)
3. Biostatistics consulting positions in collaborative research (any level, depending on qualifications)
4. Potential NIH and NSF graduate fellowships