The Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics offers a Ph.D. degree in Biostatistics through the Duke University Graduate School. A distinguishing feature of the program is its integration within the world-class biomedical research enterprise at Duke University and the Duke School of Medicine. The goal of the program is to train students to become independent researchers who will advance the field of biostatistics, including statistical genetics and genomics. New methodological development with application in health-related areas is critical to this goal.  The program emphasizes development of methodology that incorporates the features of health-related problems, effective collaboration and communication with scientists, and ability to teach biostatistics. 

The Department currently has over sixty (60) faculty members who are individually affiliated with various research groups, centers and institutes across the School of Medicine, including the Duke Clinical Research Institute, the Duke Cancer Institute, the Durham VA Medical Center, the Center for HIV/Aids Vaccine Immunology, and the Duke Center for Aging. These affiliations provide a wide range of experiences and opportunities for graduate study.

Program Aims

• To train students to develop new statistical methodology, so they can develop into independent researchers and thought leaders in the field of biostatistics.
   
• To train students in the practice of applying their statistical knowledge and skills across a broad spectrum of applications, so they can contribute to collaborative scientific endeavors in biomedical research.