The Master of Science in Biostatistics Capstone is a 50-credit degree program. This page provides requirements, courses, and a sample timeline for completing the degree for students entering the program 2024 or later.
Course Credits
- 24 credits of core curriculum courses
- 20 credits of pathway-specific courses
- 6 course credits for capstone project
- A minimum 3.0 grade in core and pathway courses
- Full-time enrollment of 10 credits per quarter is expected (summer optional)
Capstone Project
The culminating capstone project provides you with a marketable portfolio that demonstrates competency in:
- Data analysis
- Statistical programming
- Consulting experience with non-statisticians
- Written and oral communication
- Collaborative team work
- Project management
You will work on a real-world, health data analytics challenge with a small group of students in close collaboration with a course instructor and partner organization. The capstone project includes two courses:
Capstone Project I
Project preparation (autumn quarter) - The partner organization introduces students to the health data analytics challenge. Students form collaborative teams, each of which writes, presents and revises a project proposal that outlines the approach and methods the group plans to use. See BIOST 596
Capstone Project II
Project implementation (winter quarter) - Student teams implement their project proposals. At the end of the course, teams share their findings with the partner organization in oral and written form, and prepare materials for individual portfolios. See BIOST 597
Explore recent student project work
Courses by Specialization
Select a specialization to view a sample course timeline and overview of course courses and pathway courses.
Learn the statistical and computing tools that are unlocking the puzzles of big data and its potential to dramatically improve health of individuals and communities.
Sample Timeline for Data Science
First Year
Second Year
Core Courses
- BIOST 514 Biostatistics I (4 credits)
- BIOST 515 Biostatistics II (4 credits)
- BIOST 522 Statistical Inference for Biometry I (4 credits)
- BIOST 523 Statistical Inference for Biometry II (4 credits)
- BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics I (2 credits)
- BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting (2 credits)
- BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 505 Writing and Presentation Skills for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 596 Biostatistics Capstone I - Project Planning (3 credits)
- BIOST 597 Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation (3 credits)
Pathway Courses
- BIOST 536 Categorical Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4 credits)
- BIOST 537 Survival Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4 credits)
- BIOST 540 Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis(4 credits)
- BIOST 544 Introduction to Biomedical Data Science (3 credits)
- A choice of one of the following courses:
- A choice of one of the following courses:
- BIOST 524 Design of Medical Studies (3 credits)
- BIOST 529 Sample Survey Techniques (3 credits)
- Other 500 level course(s) that total 3 credits with approval of program director.
Notes:
[1]: Students can choose other 500-level course(s)that total 3 credits with approval of program director. Not all courses may be offered every year.
[2]: Not all courses may be offered every year.
Learn the mathematical and biological science that underpins our understanding of the genetic basis of diseases and leads to cutting-edge advances in precision medicine.
Sample Timeline for Statistical Genetics
First Year
Second Year
Core Courses
- BIOST 514 Biostatistics I (4 credits)
- BIOST 515 Biostatistics II (4 credits)
- BIOST 522 Statistical Inference for Biometry I (4 credits)
- BIOST 523 Statistical Inference for Biometry II (4 credits)
- BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting (2 credits)
- BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 505 Writing and Presentation Skills for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 596 Biostatistics Capstone I - Project Planning (3 credits)
- BIOST 597 Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation (3 credits)
Pathway Courses
- BIOST 540 Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis (3 credits)
- BIOST 550 Mendelian Traits (3 credits)
- BIOST 551 Quantitative Genetics (3 credits)
- BIOST 546 Machine Learning for Biomedical and Public Health Big Data (3 credits)
- BIOST 544 Introduction to Biomedical Data Science(3 credits)
- GENOME 540 Computational Molecular Biology (4 credits)
- BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar (1 credit)
Learn advanced mathematical and statistical techniques that allow us to analyze complex data structures and simulate realistic biological systems, all with the goal of making the next big leap in improving human health.
Sample Timeline for Modeling and Methods
First Year
Second Year
Core Courses
- BIOST 514 Biostatistics I (4 credits)
- BIOST 515 Biostatistics II (4 credits)
- BIOST 522 Statistical Inference for Biometry I (4 credits)
- BIOST 523 Statistical Inference for Biometry II (4 credits)
- BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics I (2 credits)
- BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting (2 credits)
- BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 505 Writing and Presentation Skills for Biostatistics (2 credits)
- BIOST 596 Biostatistics Capstone I - Project Planning (3 credits)
- BIOST 597 Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation (3 credits)
Pathway Courses
- BIOST 570 Advanced Regression Methods I (4 credits)
- BIOST 571 Advanced Regression Methods II (4 credits)
- STAT 516 Stochastic Modeling I (3 credits)
- STAT 517 Stochastic Modeling II (3 credits)
- BIOST 533 Theory of Linear Models (3 credits)
- A choice of one of the following courses:
- BIOST 527 (3) Nonparametric Regression and Classification
- BIOST 529 (3) Sample Survey Techniques
- Other 500 level course(s) that total 3 credits with approval of program director.
Notes:
[1]: Students can choose other 500-level course(s) that total 3 credits with approval of program director.Not all courses may be offered every year.