PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Master of Science in Biostatistics is a 39-credit hour program that prepares graduates to assist health researchers in making appropriate inferences from their data relative to chance, making valid estimates of population parameters, and designing studies in a valid and feasible manner to maximize information obtained. Graduates of the MS Biostatistics program work in a variety of settings including local, state, and federal agencies such as health departments, academic health sciences centers, pharmaceutical companies, and contract research organizations. The Master of Science in Biostatistics is considered a research degree. Those who intend to use the degree in a research setting such as a university or pharmaceutical company are generally advised to pursue the MS degree. The thesis requirement gives the MS student valuable research and writing experience critical for research.
The Hudson College of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). The MS in Biostatistics program may be completed by full or part-time students and is offered in Oklahoma City.
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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following are required:
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The applicant must be in good standing with the college or university where currently enrolled or last attended.
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Bachelor’s or entry-level first professional degree from an accredited institution.
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Grade point average of 3.0 or above using the upper-division coursework of the bachelor's degree.
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The following prerequisites:
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Calculus and Analytic Geometry I - Topics covered include equations of straight lines, conic sections; functions, limits and continuity; differentiation; maximum-mimimum theory and curve sketching.
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Calculus and Analytic Geometry II - Integration and its applications; the calculus of transcendental functions; techniques of integration; and the introduction to differential equations.
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Calculus and Analytic Geometry III - Polar coordinates, parametric equations, sequences, infinite series, vector analysis.
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Calculus and Analytic Geometry IV - Vector calculus; functions of several variables; partial derivatives; gradients, extreme values and differentials of multivariate functions; multiple integrals; line and surface integrals.
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GRE test is required. Scores should be sent to SOPHAS by using the code 4244.
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Career goal statement uploaded through
SOPHAS.
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Current CV/Resume uploaded through
SOPHAS.
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Three letters of academic or professional recommendation uploaded through
SOPHAS by the recommender. Applicants must list recommenders’ contact information on the application and then upon submission, SOPHAS will send instructions to each recommender on how to submit their letter electronically through the online portal.
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Transcripts:
- U.S. Applicants: SOPHAS requires a separate official transcript from every U.S. and Canadian institution attended. Applicants must arrange for official transcripts from all prior undergraduate, graduate, and professional study institutions to be sent to SOPHAS. Instructions for sending your transcripts to SOPHAS can be found here. You will need to have a copy of your transcripts in hand so that you will be able to complete the coursework section of the application. Do not enter foreign courses taken at Universities outside the U.S. or Canada into the coursework section of the application.
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International Applicants: Submit transcripts/mark sheets to the World Education Services (
www.wes.org) for a course-by-course evaluation. Applicants must designate SOPHAS to receive the evaluation.
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International applicants are required to demonstrate
English proficiency by submitting
TOEFL (score of 88 or above) or
IELTS (score of 6.5 or above) that meet the
minimum required score. TOEFL scores must be submitted to SOPHAS using the designation code #5688.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
MS in Biostatistics:
- Spring: October 15
- Fall: June 15
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
CURRENT OU STUDENTS OR ALUMNI APPLICATION PROCESS
Application Instructions for Current OU Students and OU Alumni can be found here.
NON-OU STUDENTS OR ALUMNI APPLICATION PROCESS
STEP 1: SOPHAS APPLICATION
Submit a SOPHAS application (www.sophas.org) and required fee (click here to review information regarding SOPHAS fees and fee waivers). The documentation identified in the ‘Admission Requirements’ section must be submitted in SOPHAS.
STEP 2: SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
Applicants to the OU Hudson College of Public Health are required to submit a supplemental application and fee. The supplemental application is available via the OU Health Sciences Center website at: https://apps.ouhsc.edu/admissions/. Applicants must select the same program(s) in the supplemental application as they did in the SOPHAS application.
PLEASE NOTE: Fee waivers are not available for the supplemental application.
Fee structure for the supplemental application is as follows:
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$100 for one or two professional programs (Certificate / MPH / MHA programs). One professional program = $100. Two professional programs = $100.
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$75 for one or two graduate program(s) (MS / PhD programs).
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$175 for one professional program AND one graduate program (i.e. applicant applies to both the MPH in Biostatistics and the MS in Biostatistics).
CURRICULUM
| COURSE REQUIREMENTS |
| Foundations and Overview of Public Health course |
3 credit hours |
| Required BSE Courses |
24 credit hours |
| Elective BSE Courses |
12 credit hours |
| TOTAL HOURS |
39 CREDIT HOURS |
| REQUIRED BSE COURSES |
| BSE 5001 |
Problems in Biostatistics and Epidemiology |
| BSE 5013 |
Applications of Microcomputers to Data Analysis |
| BSE 5113 |
Principles of Epidemiology |
| BSE 5163 |
Biostatistics Methods I |
| BSE 5703 |
Principles of Theory of Probability |
| BSE 5733 |
Principles of Mathematical Statistics I |
| BSE 5173 |
Biostatistics Methods II |
| BSE 5980 |
Research for Master's Thesis - 4 credit hours |
| BSE 5111 |
Scientific Integrity in Research |
| ELECTIVE BSE COURSES |
| Epidemiology Courses |
6 credit hours |
| Applied Biostatistics Courses numbered above 5173 |
6 credit hours |
A minimum of 39 credit hours is required for the MS in Biostatistics degree.
Additional Degree Requirements:
- Computer Proficiency (met with BSE 5013)
- Basic knowledge of the biomedical sciences
- Master’s Thesis: A student writing a thesis should choose a topic and a thesis committee consistent with procedures established by the sponsoring department and the Graduate College. The committee must consist of a major professor and at least two other graduate faculty members as approved by the Graduate Dean. The minimum requirements for the master’s thesis committee composition are: 1. Major Professor: Biostatistics faculty member 2. Discipline-specific member: Biostatistics faculty member 3. Member from other BSE Discipline: Epidemiology faculty member Note that a fourth member from outside the Department may be included but is not required.
- Comprehensive Examination
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE CURRICULUM.
This degree program is subject to the policies and procedures printed in Hudson College of Public Health Bulletin.
STEM DESIGNATION
The MS in Biostatistics program is considered a STEM-designated degree program.
A STEM-designated program is an academic program that falls under at least one of the approved categories from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These categories are recognized by the government for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics. DHS's updated STEM-designated degree list can be found here: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/stemList2022.pdf.
PROGRAM BROCHURE