Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • describe current statistical theory, methods, and practices used in health sciences;
  • analyze data from experimental and observational studies;
  • design new statistical methods;
  • communicate research findings to various audiences in writing and though oral presentation; and
  • Interpret analytical results from health science studies.

The Doctor of Philosophy program in biostatistics requires a minimum of 79 s.h. of graduate credit, including credit from a master's degree. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00. Those who receive a grade of C on 7 s.h. of coursework may be dismissed from the program.

All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination and a dissertation. The research topic and content, which vary depending on the program of study, must be approved by a student's dissertation committee. Other degree requirements include approved electives chosen from Department of Biostatistics and other University of Iowa courses.

The Ph.D. with a major in biostatistics requires the following work.

Master of Science Background

Ph.D. students must take the following courses required for the Master of Science in biostatistics. Students who have completed equivalent coursework at other institutions may request waivers and/or transfers of credit. Students who earned a Master of Science with a major in biostatistics at the University of Iowa automatically receive credit for these courses.

This sequence:
STAT:5100-STAT:5101Statistical Inference I-II6
All of these:
BIOS:5510Biostatistical Computing (taken twice for 2 s.h. each; topics should be programming with R and programming with SAS)4
BIOS:5710 & BIOS:5720Biostatistical Methods I-II8
BIOS:5730Biostatistical Methods in Categorical Data3
BIOS:6610Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials3
BIOS:7500Preceptorship in Biostatistics3
EPID:4400Epidemiology I: Principles3

Public Health Requirement

This course:
CPH:6100Essentials of Public Health2

Responsible Conduct of Research Training

This course:
BIOS:7270Scholarly Integrity in Biostatistics1

Core Courses

All of these:
BIOS:6810Bayesian Methods and Design3
BIOS:7110Likelihood Theory and Extensions4
BIOS:7210/STAT:7570Survival Data Analysis3
BIOS:7250Theory of Linear and Generalized Linear Models4
BIOS:7310Longitudinal Data Analysis3

Electives

With approval of their advisor, students choose 16-23 s.h. of courses according to their interest in biostatistics, statistics, genetics, computing, public health, or in other areas. No more than 5 s.h. in nonquantitative courses (e.g., epidemiology, environmental health) may count toward the electives requirement. Courses required for the M.S. degree that are not listed above also may be used to satisfy the electives requirement, although BIOS:7800 Independent Study in Biostatistics does not generally count as an elective. At least 6 s.h. of elective coursework must be taken with grades awarded.

These courses are recommended, but other coursework may be selected; students should consult their advisor.

BIOS:6420Survey Design and Analysis3
BIOS:6650Causal Inference3
BIOS:6720Statistical Machine Learning for Biomedical and Public Health Data3
BIOS:7230Advanced Clinical Trials3
BIOS:7240High-Dimensional Data Analysis3
BIOS:7330Advanced Biostatistical Computing3
BIOS:7410/STAT:7510Analysis of Categorical Data3
BIOS:7600Advanced Biostatistics Seminar (topics include model selection, spatial biostatistics, statistical methods in genetics/genomics, analysis of network data)1-3
STAT:6560Applied Time Series Analysis3
STAT:7400Computer Intensive Statistics3

Dissertation

Students must enroll in the following dissertation course for at least two semesters in residence.

BIOS:7900Thesis/Dissertation6-13

Ph.D./M.D.

Students may work toward the Doctor of Medicine degree and a Ph.D. in biostatistics in a combined degree program offered by the Carver College of Medicine and the College of Public Health. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. See the Medical Scientist Training Program (Carver College of Medicine) in the Catalog.

Applicants to the Ph.D. program in biostatistics must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). After the SOPHAS application is verified, the applicant pays a supplemental Graduate College admission fee to the University of Iowa Office of Admissions. For detailed application information, visit Requirements and How to Apply to Biostatistics on the Department of Biostatistics website.

The biostatistics faculty considers several factors when evaluating applications for admission, including grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests.

All applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and have a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). They must score at least 100 (internet-based) on the TOEFL. Applicants with lower scores are not considered for admission. In place of TOEFL scores, the department accepts IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher, with no subscore below 6.0, and the Duolingo English Test (DET) with a score of at least 105.

All biostatistics applicants are required to have strong written and oral communication skills.

Completion of an M.S. program in statistics or biostatistics generally is required for admission to the Ph.D. program. However, full consideration is given to baccalaureate degree recipients.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.

Ph.D. application deadlines are posted on the Department of Biostatistics website. Application deadline is December 1. Visit Requirements and How to Apply to Biostatistics on the department's website.

A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available. Assistantships offer financial support and tuition assessed at the resident tuition rate along with a tuition scholarship. They also provide valuable on-the-job training experience.

For information on financing education through jobs, grants, and loans, contact the University's Office of Student Financial Aid.

The program prepares students for professional and academic careers in biostatistics, especially for positions that emphasize developing and applying statistical methodology to solve important biological and public health problems.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Biostatistics, Ph.D.

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any SemesterHours
79 s.h. of graduate level coursework must be completed; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a
 Hours0
First Year
Fall
STAT:5100 Statistical Inference I 3
BIOS:5710 Biostatistical Methods I 4
BIOS:5510 Biostatistical Computing b 2
BIOS:5510 Biostatistical Computing b 2
CPH:6100 Essentials of Public Health 2
 Hours13
Spring
STAT:5101 Statistical Inference II 3
BIOS:5720 Biostatistical Methods II 4
BIOS:5730 Biostatistical Methods in Categorical Data 3
BIOS:7270 Scholarly Integrity in Biostatistics 1
 Hours11
Summer
Exam: Master's Core Exam if entering the program without a MS in statistics or biostatistics
 Hours0
Second Year
Fall
EPID:4400 Epidemiology I: Principles 3
BIOS:7500 Preceptorship in Biostatistics c, d 3
BIOS:7110 Likelihood Theory and Extensions e 4
BIOS:6810
Bayesian Methods and Design e
or Survival Data Analysis
3
 Hours13
Spring
BIOS:6610 Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials d 3
BIOS:7310 Longitudinal Data Analysis e, f, g 3
BIOS:7250 Theory of Linear and Generalized Linear Models e, h 4
 Hours10
Summer
Comprehensive Exam
 Hours0
Third Year
Fall
BIOS:7210
Survival Data Analysis e
or Bayesian Methods and Design
3
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
 Hours9
Spring
BIOS:7310 Longitudinal Data Analysis e, f, g 3
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
 Hours9
Fourth Year
Fall
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
BIOS:7900 Thesis/Dissertation i 3
 Hours6
Spring
PhD Elective Course f, g 3
BIOS:7900 Thesis/Dissertation i 3
 Hours6
Fifth Year
Fall
BIOS:7900 Thesis/Dissertation i 1 - 4
Dissertation prospectus presentation
 Hours1-4
Spring
BIOS:7900 Thesis/Dissertation i 1 - 4
Final Exam: Dissertation Defense
 Hours1-4
 Total Hours79-85
a
Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
b
Complete two sections of BIOS:5510, Programming in R and Programming in SAS.
c
Course may also be completed in spring of second year.
d
To fulfill MS degree requirements by the end of 4th semester, an approved PhD elective may substitute for BIOS:6610 or BIOS:7500. The substituted MS requirement would transfer to a PhD requirement. Contact the Grad Program Administrator to pursue this option.
e
Required BIOS PhD Core Course. Additional information can be found in the General Catalog and department website.
f
Refer to the Biostatistics Student Handbook, PhD in Biostatistics section, for sequencing of PhD elective courses.
g
16-23 s.h. of biostatistics, statistics, genetics, computing, public health, etc. courses; no more than 5 s.h. of credit in non-quantitative courses; 6 s.h. of electives must be taken for a letter grade; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level electives and sequence.
h
Typically this course is offered in spring semesters only. Check MyUI for course availability since offerings are subject to change.
i
Must register for at least two semesters; minimum of 6 s.h. required overall.