10. Biostatistics
Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics
(GradCertBiostat) KG003
Graduate Diploma in Biostatistics
(GradDipBiostat) KF034
Master of Biostatistics
(MBiostat) KC044
Overview
Biostatistics is the application of statistical techniques to scientific research in health-related fields, including medicine and public health. In recent times, the results of biostatistical research have become pivotal in improving health and reducing illness. Biostatisticians play essential roles in designing studies, analysing data and creating methods to solve research problems. These courses have been designed to provide advanced biostatistical training for a diverse range of students and are delivered by distance learning.
Admission
Admission requires a bachelor degree in statistics, mathematics, science, psychology, medicine, pharmacy, economics, health sciences or other appropriate discipline from an approved university (or equivalent qualification). Applicants should also have a proven aptitude for advanced mathematical work, indicated for example by a high level of achievement in high school or undergraduate mathematics.
Lastly, applicants should have already passed an introductory course in statistics, covering at least the estimation of means and proportions with confidence intervals, and the comparison of means and proportions between two groups using hypothesis tests (ie t-tests and chi-squared tests for 2x2 tables).
Structure
The graduate certificate and graduate diploma are embedded in the master’s degree (see chapter 8 for an explanation of embedded degrees). The program is delivered predominantly via distance learning (electronically and by mail). It is taught by a group of senior academic biostatisticians based in universities around Australia.
The only units of study not available via distance learning are the elective PUBH5215 Introductory Analysis of Linked Data, and the workplace project, for which students must be supervised by a biostatistician approved by the University of Sydney.
Assessment for most coursework subjects is by assignment only, although some units of study may have a take-home or online exam.
It is recommended that students undertake no more than two units of study per semester. Students should contact the program coordinator for advice on how best to structure their program of study, taking into account the prerequisites.
Students may apply for an exemption for one or more of BSTA5001, BSTA5002, BSTA5011, BSTA5023 (see tables below and chapter 31 for further information) depending on the student’s previous studies. Students granted an exemption for a core unit must choose an elective unit to make up the required credit points (see table below).
| Course | Credit points for award | Duration part-time |
|---|---|---|
| GradCertBiostat | 24 | 1 to 2 years |
| GradDipBiostat | 48 | 2 to 4 years |
| MBiostat | 72 | 3 to 6 years |
The graduate certificate comprises one core unit of study and three electives chosen from the list of core and elective units of study for the master’s degree (see tables on core and elective units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details).
The graduate diploma comprises eight core units of study (see tables on core units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details).
The master’s degree comprises nine core units of study and either one or two workplace projects. The remainder of the 72 credit points is made up of electives (see tables on core and elective units of study below and chapter 31 for unit of study details).
Biostatistics core units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
Core unit of study for the graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master’s degree |
|||
| Students take one of the following two units but not both. | |||
| PUBH5010 Epidemiology Methods and Uses |
6 | N BSTA5011 |
Semester 1 |
| BSTA5011 Epidemiology for Biostatisticians |
6 | N PUBH5010 |
Semester 2 |
Core units of study for the graduate diploma and master’s degree |
|||
Elective units of study for the graduate certificate |
|||
| BSTA5001 Mathematics Background for Biostatistics |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| BSTA5002 Principles of Statistical Inference |
6 | P BSTA5023 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BSTA5004 Data Management & Statistical Computing |
6 | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|
| BSTA5006 Design of Randomised Controlled Trials |
6 | P BSTA5001 and (BSTA5011 or PUBH5010) |
Semester 2 |
| BSTA5007 Linear Models |
6 | P BSTA5002 and (BSTA5011 or PUBH5010) |
Semester 2 |
| BSTA5008 Categorical Data and GLMs |
6 | C BSTA5007 |
Semester 2 |
| BSTA5023 Probability and Distribution Theory |
6 | P BSTA5001 |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Core unit of study for the master’s degree |
|||
Elective unit of study for the graduate certificate and graduate diploma |
|||
| BSTA5009 Survival Analysis |
6 | P BSTA5007 |
Semester 1 |
Biostatistics elective units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSTA5003 Health Indicators and Health Surveys |
6 | C BSTA5001 |
Semester 1 |
| BSTA5005 Clinical Biostatistics |
6 | P BSTA5001 and (BSTA5011 or PUBH5010) C BSTA5002 |
Semester 1 |
| BSTA5012 Longitudinal and Correlated Data |
6 | P BSTA5008 |
Semester 1 |
| BSTA5013 Bioinformatics |
6 | P BSTA5007 |
Semester 2 |
| BSTA5014 Bayesian Statistical Methods |
6 | P BSTA5008 |
Semester 2 |
| BSTA5015 Advanced Clinical Trials |
6 | P BSTA5006, BSTA5007 |
Semester 2 |
| PUBH5215 Introductory Analysis of Linked Data |
6 | P PUBH5018 and (PUBH5010 or BSTA5011) and (PUBH5211 or BSTA5004) |
S2 Late Int |
| The unit of study, BSTA5014 Bayesian Statistical Methods, is only offered in even years. | |||
Biostatistics workplace project units of study
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSTA5020 Workplace Project Portfolio Part A |
6 | P 24 credit points including BSTA5004 and BSTA5007 C BSTA5021 N BSTA5022 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BSTA5021 Workplace Project Portfolio Part B |
6 | P 24 credit points including BSTA5004 and BSTA5007 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| BSTA5022 Workplace Project Portfolio Part C |
6 | P 24 credit points including BSTA5004 and BSTA5007 N BSTA5020 Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
| Master's degree students must submit a Workplace Project Portfolio, comprising either two projects (Part A and Part B) or one project (Part C). | |||
| A student must be enrolled in order to submit the workplace project portfolio. If a student is not able to submit his/her workplace project portfolio after enrolling once in Part C or once in both Part A and Part B, then he/she must re-enrol in a minimum of six credit points of workplace project portfolio units of study, with the concomitant financial liability, every semester until he/she submits. | |||
Further enquiries
Associate Professor Judy Simpson
Phone: +61 2 9351 4369/5994
Fax: + 61 2 9351 5049
Email:
Website: www.health.usyd.edu.au/future/coursework/biostats/index.php