Master of Science in Biostatistics

The MS in Biostatistics is an academic degree program for students with a background in calculus and a strong interest in public health. The program emphasizes statistical theory and methods so that students are prepared to be effective statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies; and lead the design and execution of studies.  

Careers

Recent graduates hold the following positions:

  • Opioid compliance specialist, Georgia Dept. of Public Health
  • Actuarial analyst, Highmark Health
  • Biostatistician, Ichan School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai
  • Statistician, Mayo Clinic
  • Business analyst, PNC Financial Services
  • Biostatistician, University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Critical Care Medicine
  • Biostatistician, University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery
  • Data analyst, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
  • Statistician, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work

Recent Thesis Titles

Browse titles in D-Scholarship, the institutional repository for research output at the University of Pittsburgh

MS Competencies

All graduates with an MS in BIostatistics will be able to:

  • Address health problems by appropriate problem definition, study design, data collection, data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of results
  • Demonstrate mastery of the theory underlying statistical methods
  • Understand and implement innovative statistical approaches
  • Communicate biostatistical analyses to individuals with varying degrees of statistical knowledge
  • Apply research design principles to problems in public health
  • Recognize strengths and weaknesses of approaches, including alternative designs, data sources, and analytic methods
  • Determine the data best suited to address public health issues, program planning, and program evaluation

Requirements

40 credits, including:

  • Coursework in fundamentals of statistical theory and applications
  • A statistical consulting practicum
  • Coursework in epidemiology and public health
  • Thesis involving innovative data analysis or related to an internship experience

Program Information

MS Two-year Schedule (PDF, 2022-23)
MS Eighteen-month Schedule (PDF, 2022-23)
MS Degree Requirements Worksheet (PDF, 2022-23)
Student Handbook (PDF, 2022-23)

Admissions