The Master of Biostatistics degree, a professional degree awarded by the Duke University School of Medicine, requires 44 credits of graded course work, a Practicum experience, a Proficiency Examination, and a Master’s Project for which 6 units of credit are given.
Tracks and Timeline
There are four separate tracks in the Master of Biostatistics program. These include:
Emphasizes collaborative science and will typically include statistical electives and the application of statistical methods.
Emphasizes computation and will typically include statistical electives and additional coursework selected from topics such as workflow best practices, software tools for large biomedical data sets, and data structures and algorithms for data-intensive applications.
Emphasizes training in advanced methods in health AI for students who already have a substantial background in data science.
Emphasizes preparation for doctoral study in mathematically sophisticated programs and will typically include methodologically-oriented statistical electives and demonstrated proficiency (either in coursework or by placing out) in real analysis.
Practicum
All Master of Biostatistics students must complete a Practicum, providing hands-on experience that strengthens:
- Analytical skills
- Biological understanding
- Communication abilities
Most students complete the Practicum during the summer after Year 1, but it can be scheduled in Year 2 if needed.
Proficiency Examination
Students must pass a written Proficiency Exam demonstrating mastery of core concepts from first-year courses (BIOSTAT 701–706).
- Taken after Year 1 and before starting electives
Master's Project
A two-semester capstone (6 credits) completed in Year 2.
- Demonstrates mastery of statistical concepts and biostatistics practice
Note: The Core foundational courses are required of all degree-seeking students. Full-time Master of Biostatistics students will select six three-credit elective courses during the second year of study.
Course Planning
First Year
26 graded coursework credit hours
|
Fall |
Spring |
|---|---|
|
BIOSTAT 701 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 704 (3) or |
|
BIOSTAT 702 (3) or OR BIOSTAT 707** (3) |
BIOSTAT 705 (3) or OR BIOSTAT 826** (3) |
|
BIOSTAT 703 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 706 (3) or |
|
BIOSTAT 703L (0) |
BIOSTAT 722 (3) or OR BIOSTAT 821*** (3) |
|
BIOSTAT 721 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 802 (1) |
|
BIOSTAT 801 (1) |
|
|
Total: 13 credit hours |
Total: 13 credit hours |
Summer
- Master's Proficiency Examination (Required)
Covers content from the first and second semesters of training. - Practicum (Required)
May be completed at any point after the first year. - Internship (Optional)
Students participating in a summer external internship are required to enroll in BIOSTAT 829 (1). This course is permission only.
*Students must choose 1 of these 3 courses to complete their Theory Sequence requirements. Any course not selected can be taken for elective credit in the second year with approval from the director of graduate studies.
**Required for Health AI Track to complete the Applied Data Analysis sequence. Students in other tracks may take these courses as electives in their second year with approval from the director of graduate studies.
***To meet program requirements for the Computing sequence, students must take either BIOSTAT 722/722A or BIOSTAT 821.
Second Year
Second Year (24 credit hours total)
[BIOSTAT 720 - Master’s Project and Statistical Consulting (6 credit hours) plus 18 credit hours of graded coursework]
|
Fall |
Spring |
|---|---|
|
BIOSTAT 720 (3) + 3 of the following:
|
BIOSTAT 720 (3)
+ 3 of the following:
*Students on the Health AI Track are required |
|
Total: 3 required credit hours plus 9 elective credit hours |
Total: 3 required credit hours plus 9 elective credit hours |
Other Duke Departments
- Biology: BIOLOGY 790S: Graphic Design for Biologists (3)
- Computational Biology: Any 500 or 600 level except: 510S, 511, or 591
- Computer Science: Any 500 or 600 level
- Electrical and Computer Engineering: Any 500 or 600 level
- Environmental Sciences:
- ENVIRON 537: Environmental Health and Epidemiology (3)
- ENVIRON 761: Geospatial Analysis for Land and Water Mgmt (3)
- **All NSOE courses require NSOE department approval in addition to that of the student’s director of graduate study and the course instructor before submitting the NP-1 form.
- Global Health: GLHLTH 562: Data Science and Data Visualization (3)
- Math:
- MATH 531: Real Analysis I (3)
- MATH 574: Quantitative Methods for Biomedical Data (3)
- MATH 721: Linear Algebra and Application (3)
- MATH 731: Introduction to Real Analysis (3)
- MATH 765: Introduction to High Dimensional Data Analysis (3)
- MATH 766: Statistical Learning and Bayesian Nonparametrics (3)
- Statistical Sciences:
- Any 500 level except 501S
- Any 600 level except 693
- Any 700 level except 701S, 790, 791
- Any 800 level except 851
- Any 900 level except 993, 994, 995
First Year
[26 graded coursework credit hours]
|
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
|---|---|---|
|
BIOSTAT 701 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 704 (3) or |
Master’s Proficiency Examination Practicum (may be completed at |
|
BIOSTAT 702 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 705 (3) or |
|
|
BIOSTAT 703 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 706 (3) or |
|
|
BIOSTAT 703L (0) |
BIOSTAT 722 (3) or |
|
|
BIOSTAT 721 (3) or |
BIOSTAT 802 (1) |
|
|
BIOSTAT 801 (1) |
|
|
|
Total: 13 credit hours |
Total: 13 credit hours |
Second Year
[24 credit hours – Master’s project (6) plus graded coursework credit hours (18)]
|
Fall |
Spring |
|---|---|
|
BIOSTAT 720 (3) |
BIOSTAT 720 (3) |
+ 3 of the following:
|
+ 3 of the following:
|
|
Biology (3): BIOLOGY 790S Computational Biology (3): Any 500 and 600 level except 510S, 511, or 591 Computer Science (3): Any 500 and 600 level Environmental (3): ENVIRON 537 Global Health (3): Global Health 562 Statistical Science (3): Any 500 level except 501s Any 600 level except for 693 Any 700 level except for 701S, 790, 791. Any 800 level except for 851 Any 900 level except for 993, 994, and 995 |
Biology (3): BIOLOGY 790S Computational Biology (3): Any 500 and 600 level except 510S, 511, or 591 Computer Science (3): Any 500 and 600 level Environmental (3): ENVIRON 537 Global Health (3): Global Health 562 Statistical Science (3): Any 500 level except 501s Any 600 level except for 693 Any 700 level except for 701S, 790, 791. Any 800 level except for 851 Any 900 level except for 993, 994, and 995 |
|
Total: 3 required credit hours plus 9 elective credit hours |
Total: 3 required credit hours plus 9 elective credit hours |
Policy for Substitution of Core Course Requirements
Students who have relevant pre-matriculation coursework or training may request to meet the core course requirements for the first year Statistical Theory and Computing course sequences by taking more advanced graduate-level courses in related areas for equivalent credit. Advanced courses that may be selected are: BIOSTAT 732 (3 credits), BIOSTAT 828, BIOSTAT 906, STA 532, STA 640, STA 732, and ECE 551D. Testing or other evaluation may be required prior to approval. Instructor permission may be required for enrollment in some courses. Requests must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies either 2 weeks prior to the start of the fall semester (for courses to be taken in the fall) or no later than the last day of the fall semester (for courses to be taken in the spring). Approval is required from the Director of Graduate Studies.