Application
Applications to the Ph.D. in Biostatistics is through the Duke University Graduate School application website. There you will find instructions and the needed information to apply. The online application for the 2023 - 2024 program is open.
Please note: Application materials emailed or mailed to individual faculty members will not be reviewed by our Admissions Committee.
Deadline
The due date for 2023 - 2024 application materials is November 30, 2023 for Fall Semester 2024. The Department matriculates Ph.D. students in the fall only.
Entrance Requirements
When submitting an application, candidates are required to have the following:
- A completed on-line Graduate School application
- Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions where you earned (or will earn) a degree, studied for one semester or more, or took classes that relate to your current application for graduate study
- Three letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are not required for students applying to the PhD in Biostatistics Program for Fall 2023 matriculation. Additional information about the Duke University Graduate School application may be found at the Graduate School application website.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score (If applicable) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score (If applicable) or the Duolingo English Test score
Additional information about the Duke University Graduate School application may be found at the Graduate School application website.
Application Fee
The application fee is $95.
The Graduate School provides a limited number of application fee waivers. Domestic applicants should use the following link regarding a request for a waiver: The Graduate School policy for fee waivers.
International Fee Waivers:
International Application Fee Waivers
International applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver. These waivers are limited, and requests will be considered from August 31, 2023 to September 30, 2023. Those granted waivers will be informed by Nov 10, 2023. If you are granted a departmental fee waiver, you will enter that single-use code on the “Fee Waiver” page of the application.
International applicants requesting a fee waiver should include the following information:
1. A clear statement of need (socioeconomic, living in zone of violent conflict, or explicit personal hardship). Widespread socioeconomic need is indicated in countries with an IHDI value of less than 0.5 on the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index.
2. A current CV.
Please note that all submitted materials for admissions purposes are subject to verification.
Requests should be sent to: tasha.allison@duke.edu
Student Profile
Some of the traits associated with success in our program are problem definition, problem solving, quantitative thinking, critical thinking, communication, intellectual curiosity, and dedication. Regarding training, a mathematical background is particularly important.
Students will need proficiency in both single-variate and multi-variate calculus and linear algebra. Specifically, incoming students should have a working knowledge of:
- Optimization of functions
- Inverse functions
- Sequences, series and convergence, Taylor series
- Convergence of sequences of functions (pointwise, uniform, in measure)
- Differentiation and integration of single- and multi-variate functions
- Fubini's theorem
- Fundamental theorem of calculus
- Matrix algebra and vectors
- Vector spaces, metric spaces, Hilbert spaces
- Linear operators
- Spectral theorem and diagonalization of matrices
- Inner products, quadratic forms and projections
A course in real analysis is strongly recommended. As curricula can vary, please note that a suitable course would cover the following (in addition to the usual topics in derivatives and integrals):
- Real and complex number systems
- Basic point-set topology (compactness, continuity, connectedness)
- Metric spaces
- Numerical sequences, convergence, Cauchy sequences
- Sequences and series of functions
For an example text, please see Rudin's “Principles of Mathematical Analysis” (known as 'Baby Rudin').