• Use probabilistic and statistical concepts and methods to describe and draw inferences from biomedical data.
• Apply appropriate statistical methods to analyze data of different types and structures.
• Prepare reports of methods, results, and interpretations from a simulation that investigates the properties of a statistical method.
• Perform power analysis and sample size calculations to determine the required number of subjects to carry out scientific studies.
• Use statistical software for data management, implementation of comprehensive statistical analysis, and presentation of results.
• Write reports of comprehensive and novel statistical analysis of public health data.

Candidates are expected to complete the master’s in one year and are enrolled in the A.M. program. In line with Brown’s Graduate School policy, two of the eight courses required for the Biostatistics A.M. must be completed while the student is an undergraduate, and six-semester courses must be taken while in residence as a Master’s student.

The A.M. in Biostatistics requires 8 courses plus the PHP 101 Public Health online course. The specifics are as follows:

The Master of Arts degree in Biostatistics requires 8 courses (4 required and 4 elective) in biostatistics, in addition to the mandatory PHP 101 Public Health (a multi-module, online introduction to public health course required by all School of Public Health students). The specifics are as follows:

Required Courses - A.M. (4 biostatistics plus PHP 0101)

PHP 2515  Fundamentals of Probability & Statistical Inference OR PHP 2520 Inference I

PHP 2514 Applied Generalized Linear Models

PHP 2550 Practical Data Analysis

PHP 2560 Statistical Programming with R

PHP 0101 Scope of Public Health (online course) 

Elective Courses (choose 4)

Statistical Electives:

PHP 2030 Clinical Trials Methodology

PHP 2516 Applied Longitudinal Models (½ Course)

PHP 2517 Applied Multilevel Models (½ Course)

PHP 2530 Bayesian Statistical Methods

PHP 2580 Statistical Inference II

PHP 2601 Linear Models

PHP 2602 Analysis of Lifetime Data

PHP 2605 Generalized Linear Models

PHP 2610 Causal Inference & Missing Data

PHP 2620 Statistical Methods for Bioinformatics

PHP 2650 Statistical Learning/Big Data

PHP 2980: Graduate Independent Study & Thesis Research

Epidemiology Electives:

PHP 2120 Introduction to Methods in Epidemiologic Research

PHP 2150 Foundation in Epidemiologic Research Methods

PHP 2200 Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods

Programming and Data Science Electives:

PHP  2561 Methods in Informatics and Data Science for Health

CSCI 1420 Machine Learning

CSCI 1470 Deep Learning

CSCI 1570 Design and Analysis of Algorithms

CSCI 1810 Computational and Molecular Biology

CSCI 1820 Algorithmic Foundations in Computational Biology

For a full list of classes that the Department of Biostatistics offers please visit our Courses page.

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

In response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) notice NOT-OD-13-093 and the Brown University School of Public Health mandate regarding the use of Individual Development Plans (IDP), all students in the Department of Biostatistics, regardless of funding sources, are required to complete and submit, in consultation with their advisor, and IDP. Specifically:

• Incoming, matriculating students must complete an IDP, in consultation with their advisor, by the beginning of their second semester.  
• All students must submit an updated IDP, in consultation with their advisor, on an annual basis.  

The IDP is a valuable tool that gives students the opportunity to consider and address their short-term and long-term career goals.  In order to achieve compliance with the IDP policy, please fill out the Individual Development Plan for Biostatistics, discuss with your advisor, and submit your completed form.