PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Biostatistics with the primary objective to provide individuals with rigorous training in applied and theoretical statistics in order to prepare them for careers as doctoral-level biostatisticians.
Graduates completing the Ph.D. in biostatistics will have developed the ability to understand the mathematical and theoretical basis of statistical methodology; collaborate on the design of research studies in the health sciences; provide advice on the proper collection, entry, storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data; take primary responsibility for the analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data in a research study, using state-of-the-art statistical methods and software; and carry out original methodological research in statistics and apply the resulting methodology to health-related research problems.
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NEED FOR BIOSTATISTICIANS
Biostatistics is the application of statistics to biology and the health sciences. The current demand for biostatisticians far exceeds the supply and the gap is expected to continue to widen. This undersupply results from a combination of burgeoning need and a relatively flat rate of graduating doctoral and masters level biostatisticians.
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CAREERS
Graduates of the Ph.D. program will be qualified for employment in academic research institutions in medicine, nursing, dentistry, allied health, public health, and the laboratory sciences; academic institutions providing training in statistics or biostatistics; in the pharmaceutical and other biotech industries; and in local, state, and national government agencies.
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CURRICULUM
The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in 4-5 years. The curriculum for the program includes (1) formal coursework, (2) qualifying and comprehensive exams, and (3) original research conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor that leads to a successfully defended dissertation, as specified by the policies of the Department of Biostatistics and the School of Graduate Studies.
The coursework for the program consists of 42 credit hours of core courses and 18 credit hours of electives. This includes the 30 hours of core courses and 9 hours of electives for the M.S. in Biostatistics degree. Applicants who already have a Masters degree in Statistics or Biostatistics from well-established and reputable programs may be placed on advanced standing and part of the Masters level coursework may be waived at the discretion of the Graduate Program Committee.
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Core Courses (42 credit hours):
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Electives (Minimum 18 credit hours with at least 9 from 9000 level):
- SGSS 8092 – Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (4 CR)
- GNMD 8050 – Computational Methods in Genomics & Genetics (4 CR)
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Other Requirements:
- All students must attend departmental and other research seminars and meetings that are relevant to their biostatistics training.
- Students must publicize the results of their research through seminars, conference presentations, and/or articles in refereed (peer-reviewed) journals.
- Students with graduate assistantships are required to work with a faculty supervisor as Research or Teaching Assistants.
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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in a subject with substantial mathematics content
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to assess the applicant’s prior academic performance and potential as a graduate student in Biostatistics
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary education
- Verification of transcripts from all foreign colleges/universities must be provided by an approved transcript evaluation service. For more information, contact the Office of Academic Admissions, or visit www.mcg.edu/Admissions/intstud.htm
- Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) is required
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COMPETITIVE APPLICANT PROFILE
The competitive applicant for the proposed Ph.D. program will have the following qualifications:
- Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree in the mathematical sciences, or in a closely related discipline with rigorous training in calculus and matrix algebra.
- Minimum cumulative GPA on all undergraduate and graduate coursework of at least 3.3.
- Computer literacy, i.e. familiarity with operating and using computers and software.
- Minimum GRE general test score of 1100 (sum of verbal and quantitative sections).
- For applicants whose first language is not English, a minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) on TOEFL.
- A strong personal statement.
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Students accepted into the program will be considered for Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes a stipend, a reduced tuition rate of $25/semester, and single-person health insurance coverage through the MCG Student Group Health Insurance plan. A limited number of GRA packages will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants with exemplary qualifications.
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TUITION AND FEES
| |
Tuition |
Fees |
Books/Supplies/Other |
Per semester costs |
$2,775* |
$356 |
$1,000 |
* Non-residents of Georgia pay an additional $10,086 tuition per semester. Residents of Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina receive a waiver of non-resident tuition.
All students on stipend will pay a reduced tuition of $25.00 per semester. (Costs are for 2008-2009. All tuition charges are subject to change at the end of any academic term.)
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APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb 1
Early application is strongly encouraged. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis. Early application is strongly advised, especially for applicants who wish to be considered for a GRA package.
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HOW TO APPLY
To receive an application for admission and financial support, visit www.mcg.edu/admissions, or call or write to:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: (706) 721-2725
Toll free: 1-800-519-3388
Fax: (706) 721-7279
E-mail: gradadm@mcg.edu
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Visit our website, www.mcg.edu/biostat, or contact:
Jennifer L. Waller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Biostatistics
1120 15th Street, AE 3031
Augusta, GA 30912-4900
Phone: (706) 721-0814
FAX: (706) 721-6294
E-mail: jwaller@mcg.edu
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FACULTY & THEIR RESEARCH
Jai Choi, Professor: Complex survey design and analysis, non-response, mortality forecasting, disease mapping, Bayesian analysis.
James Dias, Associate Professor: Linear models, Markov chains, categorical data analysis, evaluation of mental/physical health and social programs.
Sunita Dodani, Assistant Professor: Cardiovascular epidemiology, clinical epidemiology, global health, hypertension.
Varghese George, Professor & Chair: Family-based genetic association and linkage disequilibrium methods, Bayesian methods in genetic analysis, genetic epidemiology, likelihood-based inference.
Maribeth Johnson, Assistant Professor: Applied statistics, mixed models, longitudinal data analysis.
Ling Lan, Assistant Professor (as of Sept 1, 2008):
Stephen Looney, Professor: Multivariate analysis, analysis of clustered and correlated data, analysis of biomarker data, biostatistical methodology.
Erick Messias, Associate Professor: Psychopathology and neurobiology of social behavior, psychiatric epidemiology; use of mental health services; epidemiologic aspects of schizophrenia.
Anthony Mulloy, Professor: Endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism, clinical trials.
Balgobin Nandram, Professor :
Robert Podolsky, Assistant Professor: Bayesian model selection and model averaging, candidate gene and genome-wide association mapping, computational biology.
Gregory Rempala, Professor: Genomics, stochastic processes, bioinformatics, nonparametric statistics, mathematical epidemiology, probability theory.
Jennifer Waller, Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Programs: Complex sampling, statistical methods for the health sciences, clinical trials, receiver operating characteristic curve methods.
Xialong Wang, Assistant Professor: Genetic analysis of complex disorders, genetic epidemiology, linkage and association, longitudinal analysis, cardiovascular diseases.
Hongyan (Nathan) Xu, Assistant Professor: Statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology, human population and evolutionary genetics, bioinformatics, computational genomics.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Other information about the School of Graduate Studies and the Department of Biostatistics can be found at:
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 M.S. Program in Biostatistics
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