Why Biostatistics?

1. Why Biostatistics? • Wall Street Journal – the best jobs http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_BESTJOBS0104_20110105.html

2. Programs at a glance • The Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics Programprovides basic and intermediate graduate level applied biostatistics training. • The upcoming MS and MBStat programswill provide graduate level training in both application and theory of biostatistics.

3. Why pursue a Graduate Certificate in Biostatistics at OHSU? • Broaden knowledge base in biostatistics analysis methods. • Be able to plan and properly analyze biomedical & health datasets. • Enhance understanding of biostatistics methods. • Establish scientific hypotheses and study designs that are biostatistically sound • Develop the ability to contextualize and communicate research findings • To become more effective members of multidisciplinary research teams.

4. Potential candidates for the Biostatistics Certificate Program • Researchers in various biomedical and health related fields • Researchers at all levels • Data managers, Database programmers, Informaticists • Project Directors, Study Coordinators, Program Coordinators • Students enrolled in other graduate degree programs • Certificate in Biostatistics can be pursued concurrently with other degrees • Clinicians/scientists launching research careers • K-awardees • Junior investigators • Health professionals who are involved (or wish to be involved) with quantitative analysis (state, county, etc.). • The program can be completed in 1-year as a full time student, or 2~3 years part time.

5. Competencies when Completing Certificate • Perform a broad range of basic and intermediate statistical procedures • Interpret and summarize analysis results to answer questions posited in the biomedical and health sciences. • Communicate analysis results to collaborators in oral and written form. • Apply the principles of research design to address problems in biomedical and health sciences. • Identify strengths and weaknesses of different study designs and analytic methods. • Conduct analyses for your own research, or provide support to multidisciplinary research teams.

6. Curriculum • Curriculum is focused on biostatistics applications in the biomedical and health sciences. • Designing appropriate analytic plans • Conducting analyses • Interpreting and synthesizing results • Statistical theory introduced via relevant motivating examples • Students will have ample opportunity to learn multiple statistical packages • Stata • SAS • R • Others • Hands-on experience working with real datasets • Students can have opportunity to collaborate with biostatistics faculty and researchers on current projects.

7. Coursework • 30 credits total • Most courses are on campus • Some may have an online component • Courses usually held in morning or late afternoon or evening • 5 required courses (18 credits): • Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4 credits) • Linear Models (4 credits) • Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits) • Survival Analysis (3 credits) • Biostatistics Lab (3 credits)

8. Courses - continued • 12 elective credits taken from the following: • Data Management & Analysis in SAS (3 credits) • Spatial Data Analysis with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (3 credits) • Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits) • Topics in Biostatistics (3 credits) • This course will teach more advanced or specialized statistical methods, for example, longitudinal data analysis and models for classification and prediction. • Design and Analysis of Surveys (3 credits) • Epidemiology I (4 credits) • Epidemiology II (4 credits) • Bioinformatics & Computational Biology I (4 credits) • Bioinformatics & Computational Biology II (4 credits) • Reading and Research in Biostatistics (1 – 3 credits) • Lean Six Sigma 1 and 2

9. Application Procedures for Graduate Certificate • Candidates require a bachelor’s degree and one undergraduate course in statistics • Application is required for all candidates • Application form • Letter of recommendation (at least 1) • College transcript(s) • Personal statement • Application fee • Application materials are found at: • www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics • Applications currently being accepted for Fall 2011 admission • Accepting applications through May 15th or until program capacity is reached

10. Tuition • For 2011 – 2012 academic year: • $371 per credit for in-state students • $477 per credit for out-of-state students • Additional OHSU fees (based on 2010-2011 info) • A Health Service Fee of $257 is charged each term. • Quarterly charges for Dental Insurance ($108.24) and Major Medical ($1079.72) can be waived with proof of insurance to Student Health at least a month prior to matriculation. • A quarterly “incidental” fee of $299 is charged for all full time students (9 or more credits per term). • For more information: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/student-services/registrar/registration-information/tuition-fees.cfm • Fees may change slightly in upcoming academic year. • At this point, OHSU employee tuition benefit is not available.

11. Non-matriculated Students • Some individual courses may be open to non-matriculated students as space allows. • Appropriate pre-requisites must be met. • Program office and instructor approval required prior to enrollment • Email biostatprogram@ohsu.edu to request permission.

12. Career options/direction post-graduation • Become a biostatistics-savvy researcher or health professional. • Research support positions, e.g. biostatistician, data analyst • Transition from data coordinator or database programmer to more analysis-oriented positions. • Further training in Biostatistics • OHSU • MS and MBStat – Biostatistics (Approved by OUS Provosts’ Council, and approval pending by OUS board for 2011-2012) • Portland State University • MS - Statistics • PhD – Applied Mathematics w/ concentration in Biostatistics • Oregon State University • MS – Statistics • PhD – Statistics

13. The upcoming Master programs • Two tracks • Master of Science in Biostatistics requires MS thesis (3 credits) • Master in Biostatistics requires passing comprehensive test and taking an additional elective (3 credits) in lieu of thesis. • Both programs can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis. • Similar to the graduate certificate program, the programs will include formal didactic sessions and hands-on statistical computing training.

14. Competencies when completing the program • Apply intermediate to advanced biostatistical theory and techniques to design, plan, and manage data collection to conduct analysis for own research projects or support collaborative research teams. • Translate broad research goals into specifications and procedures for statistical analysis and interpretation of results in basic, clinical, translational and public health research studies. • Select and use appropriate statistical analysis software for assessment, decision-making and information-sharing (e.g., Stata, SAS, R or other special programs). • Communicate statistical methods and findings clearly and unambiguously to specialists and non-specialist audiences. • For MS in biostatistics, gain basic skills of doing statistics methodology research.

15. Coursework for Master degrees • 48 credits total • 6 required courses (30 credits): • Estimation and Hypothesis Testing for Applied Biostatistics (4 credits) • Linear Models (4 credits) • Categorical Data Analysis (4 credits) • Mathematical Statistics 1, 2 (3 credits each) • Survival Analysis (3 credits) • Statistical Methods in Clinical Trials (3 credits) • Biostatistics Lab (3 credits) • Thesis or a required elective (3 credit) • There are a variety of courses for selective credits, including a few more to be developed.

16. Which one suits for me? • Either program is appropriate for those: • Wishing to pursue a career as an intermediate level biostatistician. • Applying for doctoral programs in Biostatistics. • Graduate Certificate students pursuing further training. • Degree vs. Certificate • A degree is more widely recognized and has a better job opportunity nationwide. • Master programs will provide more balanced trainings in applications and theory. • Certificate program focuses on applied biostatistics. • Master programs is calculus-based and certificate program is not. • May start with certificate and transfer to a Master program.

17. Other questions Any questions? More information is available from • Brochure • Website: www.ohsu.edu/academic/public-health/biostatistics • Email: biostatprogram@ohsu.edu