Why Biostatistics?

• Wall Street Journal – the best jobs http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_BESTJOBS0104_20110105.html

Programs at a glance

• The Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics Program provides basic and intermediate graduate level applied biostatistics training.

• The upcoming MS and MBStat programs will provide graduate level training in both application and theory of biostatistics.

Why pursue a Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics at OHSU?

• Broaden knowledge base in biostatistics analysis methods.

• Be able to plan and properly analyze biomedical & health datasets.

• Enhance understanding of biostatistics methods.

• Establish scientific hypotheses and study designs that are biostatistically sound

• Develop the ability to contextualize and communicate research findings

• To become more effective members of multidisciplinary research teams.

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Potential candidates for the Biostatistics Certificate Program• Researchers in various biomedical and health related fields

– Researchers at all levels – Data managers, Database programmers, Informaticists– Project Directors, Study Coordinators, Program Coordinators

• Students enrolled in other graduate degree programs– Certificate in Biostatistics can be pursued concurrently with other degrees

• Clinicians/scientists launching research careers– K-awardees– Junior investigators

• Health professionals who are involved (or wish to be involved) with quantitative analysis (state, county, etc.).

• The program can be completed in 1-year as a full time student, or 2~3 years part time.

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Competencies when Completing Certificate

• Perform a broad range of basic and intermediate statistical procedures

• Interpret and summarize analysis results to answer questions posited in the biomedical and health sciences.

• Communicate analysis results to collaborators in oral and written form.

• Apply the principles of research design to address problems in biomedical and health sciences.

• Identify strengths and weaknesses of different study designs and analytic methods.

• Conduct analyses for your own research, or provide support to multidisciplinary research teams.

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Curriculum

• Curriculum is focused on biostatistics applications in the biomedical and health sciences.– Designing appropriate analytic plans – Conducting analyses– Interpreting and synthesizing results– Statistical theory introduced via relevant motivating examples

• Students will have ample opportunity to learn multiple statistical packages– Stata– SAS– R– Others

• Hands-on experience working with real datasets• Students can have opportunity to collaborate with biostatistics

faculty and researchers on current projects.

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Coursework

• 30 credits total• Most courses are on campus

– Some may have an online component

• Courses usually held in morning or late afternoon or evening

• 5 required courses (18 credits): – Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4

credits) – Linear Models (4 credits) – Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits) – Survival Analysis (3 credits) – Biostatistics Lab (3 credits)

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Courses - continued

• 12 elective credits taken from the following: – Data Management & Analysis in SAS (3 credits) – Spatial Data Analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3

credits) – Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits) – Topics in Biostatistics (3 credits)

• This course will teach more advanced or specialized statistical methods, for example, longitudinal data analysis and models for classification and prediction.

– Design and Analysis of Surveys (3 credits) – Epidemiology I (4 credits) – Epidemiology II (4 credits) – Bioinformatics & Computational Biology I (4 credits) – Bioinformatics & Computational Biology II (4 credits) – Reading and Research in Biostatistics (1 – 3 credits)– Lean Six Sigma 1 and 2 8

Application Procedures for Graduate Certificate

• Candidates require a bachelor’s degree and one undergraduate course in statistics

• Application is required for all candidates– Application form– Letter of recommendation (at least 1)– College transcript(s)– Personal statement– Application fee

• Application materials are found at:– www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics

• Applications currently being accepted for Fall 2011 admission

– Accepting applications through May 15th or until program capacity is reached

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Tuition

• For 2011 – 2012 academic year:– $371 per credit for in-state students– $477 per credit for out-of-state students

• Additional OHSU fees (based on 2010-2011 info)– A Health Service Fee of $257 is charged each term.

– Quarterly charges for Dental Insurance ($108.24) and Major Medical ($1079.72) can be waived with proof of insurance to Student Health at least a month prior to matriculation.

– A quarterly “incidental” fee of $299 is charged for all full time students (9 or more credits per term).

– For more information: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/student-services/registrar/registration-information/tuition-fees.cfm

– Fees may change slightly in upcoming academic year.

• At this point, OHSU employee tuition benefit is not available.

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Non-matriculated Students

• Some individual courses may be open to non-matriculated students as space allows.

• Appropriate pre-requisites must be met.

• Program office and instructor approval required prior to enrollment

• Email biostatprogram@ohsu.edu to request permission.

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Career options/direction post-graduation

• Become a biostatistics-savvy researcher or health professional.• Research support positions, e.g. biostatistician, data analyst• Transition from data coordinator or database programmer to more

analysis-oriented positions.• Further training in Biostatistics

– OHSU• MS and MBStat – Biostatistics (Approved by OUS Provosts’ Council, and

approval pending by OUS board for 2011-2012)– Portland State University

• MS - Statistics• PhD – Applied Mathematics w/ concentration in Biostatistics

– Oregon State University• MS – Statistics• PhD – Statistics

The upcoming Master programs

• Two tracks– Master of Science in Biostatistics requires MS thesis (3 credits)– Master in Biostatistics requires passing comprehensive test and

taking an additional elective (3 credits) in lieu of thesis.

• Both programs can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis.

• Similar to the graduate certificate program, the programs will include formal didactic sessions and hands-on statistical computing training.

Competencies when completing the program

• Apply intermediate to advanced biostatistical theory and techniques to design, plan, and manage data collection to conduct analysis for own research projects or support collaborative research teams.

• Translate broad research goals into specifications and procedures for statistical analysis and interpretation of results in basic, clinical, translational and public health research studies.

• Select and use appropriate statistical analysis software for assessment, decision-making and information-sharing (e.g., Stata, SAS, R or other special programs).

• Communicate statistical methods and findings clearly and unambiguously to specialists and non-specialist audiences.

• For MS in biostatistics, gain basic skills of doing statistics methodology research.

Coursework for Master degrees

• 48 credits total• 6 required courses (30 credits):

– Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4 credits) – Linear Models (4 credits) – Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits) – Mathematical Statistics 1, 2 (3 credits each)– Survival Analysis (3 credits)– Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits) – Biostatistics Lab (3 credits)– Thesis or a required elective (3 credit)

• There are a variety of courses for selective credits, including a few more to be developed.

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Which one suits for me?

• Either program is appropriate for those:– Wishing to pursue a career as an intermediate level biostatistician. – Applying for doctoral programs in Biostatistics.

– Graduate Certificate students pursuing further training.

• Degree vs. Certificate– A degree is more widely recognized and has a better job

opportunity nationwide.– Master programs will provide more balanced trainings in

applications and theory.– Certificate program focuses on applied biostatistics.– Master programs is calculus-based and certificate program is not. – May start with certificate and transfer to a Master program.

Other questions

Any questions?

More information is available from• Brochure• Website:

www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics • Email: biostatprogram@ohsu.edu