Academics

Master of Science Capstone Requirements

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.

Data Science

Statistical Genetics

Modeling and Methods

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

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)Spring (10 credits)Summer (0-8 credits)
BIOST 514 (4) Biostatistics IBIOST 515 (4) Biostatistics IIBIOST 579 (2) Data Analysis and ReportingBIOST 600 (0-8) Independent Study or Research
BIOST 522 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IBIOST 523 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IIBIOST 561 (2) Computational Skills for Biostatistics 
  BIOST 540 (3) Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis 
BIOST 504 (2) Foundations of Public Health for BiostatisticsBIOST 505 (2) Writing and Presentation Skills for Biostatistics

Choose one of the following [1]:

 

Second Year

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)
BIOST 544 (3) Introduction to Biomedical Data ScienceBIOST 546 (3) Machine Learning for Biomedical and Public Health Big Data [2]
or
BIOST 555 (3) Statistical Methods for Spatial Epidemiology or STAT 554 (3) Statistical Methods for Spatial Epidemiology  [2]
or
BIOST 531 (3) Statistical Methods for Analysis with Missing Data  [2]
BIOST 536 (4) Categorical Data AnalysisBIOST 537 (4) Survival Data Analysis
BIOST 596 (3) Biostatistics Capstone I - Project PlanningBIOST 597 (3) Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation

Core Courses

Pathway Courses



 

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

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)Spring (10 credits)Summer (0-8 credits)
BIOST 514 (4) Biostatistics IBIOST 515 (4) Biostatistics IIBIOST 579 (2) Data Analysis and ReportingBIOST 600 (0-8) Independent Study or Research
BIOST 522 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IBIOST 523 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IIBIOST 561 (2) Computational Skills for Biostatistics 
BIOST 504 (2) Foundations of Public Health for BiostatisticsBIOST 505 (2) Writing and Presentation Skills for BiostatisticsBIOST 550 (3) Mendelian Genetics 
  BIOST 540 (3) Longitudinal and Multilevel Data Analysis 

Second Year

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)
BIOST 544 (3) Introduction to Biomedical Data ScienceGENOME 540 (4) Computational Molecular Biology
BIOST 551 (3) Quantitative GeneticsBIOST 546 (3) Machine Learning for Biomedical and Public Health Big Data
BIOST 581 (1) Statistical Genetics Seminar 
BIOST 596 (3) Biostatistics Capstone I - Project PlanningBIOST 597 (3) Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation

Core Courses

Pathway Courses

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

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)Spring (10 credits)Summer (0-8 credits)
BIOST 514 (4) Biostatistics IBIOST 515 (4) Biostatistics IIBIOST 579 (2) Data Analysis and ReportingBIOST 600 (0-8) Independent Study or Research
BIOST 522 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IBIOST 523 (4) Statistical Inference for Biometry IIBIOST 561 (2) Computational Skills for Biostatistics 
BIOST 504 (2) Foundations of Public Health for BiostatisticsBIOST 505 (2) Writing and Presentation Skills for BiostatisticsChoose one of the following [1]:
BIOST 527 (3) Nonparametric Regression and Classification or BIOST 529 Sample Survey Techniques
 
  BIOST 533 (3) Theory of Linear Models 

Second Year

Autumn (10 credits)Winter (10 credits)
BIOST 570 (4) Advanced Regression Methods IBIOST 571 (4) Advanced Regression Methods II
STAT 516 (3) Stochastic Modeling ISTAT 517 (3) Stochastic Modeling II
BIOST 596 (3) Biostatistics Capstone I - Project PlanningBIOST 597 (3) Biostatistics Capstone II - Project Implementation

Core Courses

Pathway Courses



 

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.