A companion to Brown’s traditional Master’s in Biostatistics program, this fully online version brings a world-class education to a globally diverse student body while maintaining the same academic rigor and excellence of an Ivy League University. A flexible format delivered asynchronously gives working professionals global access to graduate education from one of the country’s leading universities.
Learning Objectives
Students in Brown’s 100% online Master’s in Biostatistics program will graduate with the skills to be able to:
- Use statistical concepts and methods to describe and draw scientific inferences from biomedical and health-related data at both the individual and population levels.
- Form proper statistical hypotheses based on research questions to guide clinical or public health investigations.
- Identify and apply appropriate statistical methods to analyze data of different types and structures.
- Select and design appropriate studies and/or sampling mechanisms needed to address research questions, and meet scientific and inferential objectives.
- Use statistical software for data management, implementation of comprehensive statistical analysis, and presentation of results.
- Write a report of comprehensive and novel statistical analysis of public health data.
Career Trajectory
Demand for professionals with advanced expertise in biostatistics continues to be high across academia and the public and private sectors, particularly in settings emphasizing research in biomedicine and biotechnology. More recently, the expansion of big data and its potential influence on the healthcare sector has generated an increased demand for more data scientists. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 13-18% growth in employment across areas of biostatistics & data science through 2033, surpassing the national average.
The online Master’s in Biostatistics offers an academically rigorous curriculum focused on developing the data analysis, mathematical and statistical skills required for success. The courses will be delivered through highly-sophisticated online modules developed by Brown’s world-class faculty and a team of online learning specialists.
Students will take classes similar to that of those studying on-campus. Further, the program is featured with a health data science concentration to allow learners to develop highly sought-after foundational knowledge in health data science.
Online Master’s in Biostatistics, Health Data Science Curriculum & Course Sequence
Semester 1
- BHDS 2000: Probability and Statistical Inference
- BHDS 2010: Statistical Programming for Health Data Science
Semester 2
- BHDS 2110: Methods I: Linear and Generalized Linear Models
- BHDS 2020: Design of Observational and Experimental Studies
Semester 3
- BHDS 2120: Methods II: Extensions to Regression
- BHDS 2030: Causal Inference
Semester 4
- BHDS 2130: Methods III: Statistical Machine Learning
- BHDS 2040: Advanced Topics in Health Data Science
Semester 5
- BHDS 2050: Problem-driven Biostatistics and Capstone Project
Program Format
All courses are delivered 100% online and will combine asynchronous and synchronous components to make the most of the online learning environment. Each week on your own schedule, you’ll engage with faculty-created asynchronous coursework such as interactive multimedia, recorded lectures and demonstrations, expert/guest lecture videos and discussion boards. Synchronous sessions will occur one time per week and will be recorded for students to access at their convenience.
Our unique curriculum combines the foundations of biostatistics and health data science with the power of instructional technologies to engage cross-continental learners, intellectually, personally and professionally. The program is designed to develop experts and leaders who will make critical contributions across interdisciplinary fields in human health and life science.
In this culminating Capstone experience, students will design and execute an independent project within a specialized area of interest. The curriculum emphasizes the cultivation of essential professional competencies, including project management, strategic communication, narrative development, and executive presence. Through an iterative workshop model, students will engage in regular peer review to refine their work. The course concludes with a formal presentation and an oral defense of their findings. Project pathways may include: Conducting a meaningful extension of an existing study; Performing a sensitivity analysis on a published study; Developing a comprehensive case study to demonstrate the application of a specific statistical method; Executing a meta-analysis based on a rigorous systematic literature review; Developing an R package or application with a substantial statistical component.
Competency | Assessment Activity |
| By the end of this course, students should be able to do the following: | Students’ proficiency in this competency will be assessed as follows: |
| Bios-6: Write report of comprehensive and novel statistical analysis of public health data | Students will complete 5 core deliverables to address their chosen analysis-focused problem statement: (1) a long-form written report, (2) an executive memo, (3) reproducible code, (4) slides, and a (5) video-recorded presentation. An oral Q&A session will take place after the deliverables have been submitted for students to explain their work and findings. |
In addition to core competencies, and upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:
- Formulate a comprehensive analysis project from inception to completion, mirroring a real-world, end-to-end workflow.
- Apply appropriate project management techniques to a complex project.
- Evaluate the strengths, limitations, and underlying assumptions of a chosen statistical method.
- Critique the scientific work and presentations of peers by providing constructive, specific, and actionable feedback.
- Synthesize complex statistical findings, methodological details, and relevant background information into professional-grade reports.
- Design and deliver a persuasive oral presentation, supported by effective visual aids.
- Differentiate the communication needs of diverse stakeholders and adapt explanations accordingly.
At Brown University’s School of Public Health, we take a holistic approach to our online Master of Science in Biostatistics admissions process, as we actively seek a diverse student population from across the globe.
We require that applicants have at least one year of professional work experience. This allows you to enter the program with ideas about where you want to take your career, along with real-world expertise you can share with your classmates.
The GRE is not required, however, applicants need to have completed at least one semester of calculus (including differentiation & integration), at least one semester of linear algebra and at least one semester of probability. A grade of B or better in the required prerequisite courses is recommended. Prior experience in programming languages such as R or Python is recommended and preferred, but not required. Applicants who lack this experience in their academic or work background are encouraged to complete an introductory programming course prior to matriculation.
Applicants who are missing one or more of the required mathematical prerequisite courses are strongly encouraged to upload an additional statement outlining their plan for completing the prerequisite course(s) prior to starting the program and/or how their professional work experience supplements any missing prerequisite requirement.
