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Career Opportunities in Health Science

Biostatistics
Master of Science

Print Version (2 page PDF file)

Program Objectives
The Department of Biostatistics (DOB) graduate program prepares Masters-level biostatisticians to consult at the staff level with medical and health researchers. The M.S. program provides an intensive exposure to the wide range of ideas, methodologies and techniques needed to perform as a statistician who designs data collection from experiments, observational studies and clinical trials and analyzes and reports these data to extract information stored in various forms. The application focus is on medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health science, laboratory science and other biological disciplines.

In training students to support collaborative research in the biomedical sciences, the Master of Science program builds on, and contributes to, MCG’s growing reputation as a premier health sciences university. Its focus on statistics applied to health professions distinguishes it from most graduate statistics programs and prepares its graduates for rewarding careers in this increasingly important field.

Financial Support
Students accepted into the program will be considered for a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) Package which includes stipend support ($14,000/year for 2007/2008) and a reduced tuition rate of $25/semester. A limited number of GRA packages will be awarded each year, on a competitive basis and according to the availability of funds.

Curriculum
The two-year program comprises three parts: a core set of didactic courses that all students take, elective courses, and a research thesis or a consulting project. Students will choose,with the advice and approval of their advisory committees, one of these options:

Thesis Track: A formal thesis, directed by a Biostatistics faculty member, will be required. The student will conduct their research under Thesis Research (STA9000), for a minimum of 6 credit hours. The thesis project for the MS program may be one of two types: (i) use of established but state-of-the-art statistical tools to analyze and report on collected data sets; or (ii) a rigorous review of statistical literature, possibly involving a small amount of methodological research, that has potential use in complex biomedical data analysis. A formal presentation of the thesis will be required, which will be open to the public.

Non-Thesis Track: A project write-up (or project write-ups), directed by a Biostatistics faculty member,will be required. The student will perform the projectwork under Biostatistical Consulting in Research (STAT8600), for a minimum of 3 credit hours.This course is designed for students to gain practical experience in integration of statistical theory and application in current research, systematic formulation of problems, data formatting and, collection procedures, study design, data analysis, and the interpretation and communication of results. It is possible that students may consult on one or two projects, depending on the complexity and scope of the research project(s). A formal presentation will be required at the conclusion of the projec(s).

An advisory committee of faculty will help plan, monitor progress, and mentor the student through all phases of the program of study on either track.

Credit Hours
For the M.S. degree, a minimum of 45 total semester credit hours (up to 39 didactic course credits and at least six Thesis or Consulting course credits) are required.

The student must maintain a minimum cummulative GPA of 3.0. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation and given one semester to remove the probationary status by raising the GPA to at least 3.0. The minimum GPA for graduation is also 3.0.

Core Statistics Courses
The following are required semester-long core courses that are taught over five semesters. Students must complete them by the spring semester of year two.

Elective Courses
Students are required to enroll in at least 12 semester hours of elective courses. Elective course offerings will vary depending on faculty and student interests. Regularly offered courses will include epidemiology, clinical trials and advanced biostatistical methods.

Other Requirements
All students must attend departmental and other research seminars and meetings as defined by the program as relevant to their biostatistics training.

Students appointed as graduate assistants are required to work with a faculty supervisor as Research or Teaching Assistant, as part of their graduate assistantship requirements.

Students must publicize the results of their research through seminars, conference presentations, and/or articles in refereed (peer-review) journals.

Student Outcomes
Student Outcomes Graduates of the program should readily find employment in government agencies; the research areas of medicine, nursing, dentistry, allied health sciences, and the biological sciences; and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate (or higher) degree in a subject with substantial mathematics content
• Computer literacy, i.e., familiarity with operating and using computers and software
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores
• Three references 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 a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores must be submitted for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) is required.

Competitive Applicant Profile

• A degree in a subject with substantial mathematics content or possession of a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree in other disciplines, provided at least two full semesters of mathematics, for example calculus (two semesters highly recommended), linear and matrix algebra, have been completed successfully as part of a degree program
• Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum GRE score of 1000 (sum of verbal and quantitative sections

Deadline
The application deadline is March 1. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space-available basis. Early application is encouraged. Submission of all required application materials by the deadline is strongly advised, especially for applicants who wish to be considered for a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) package.

* Non-residents of Georgia pay an additional $6,876 tuition per semester. Residents of Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina receive a waiver of non-resident tuition.

** Costs vary by major. Please check with your department for details.

(Costs are for 2006-2007. All tuition charges, board, room rent or other charges are subject to change at the end of any academic term.)

Estimated Living Expenses

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Information for Prospective Students
Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
Carol Nobles,

November 01, 2006