PhD in Biostatistics

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• The applicant must be in good standing with the college or university where currently enrolled or last attended.
• Master’s degree (MPH or MS) in Biostatistics or a related field from an accredited institution. Up to 40 credit hours from the Master’s program may be counted toward the PhD with approval.
• Graduate grade point average of 3.5 or above.
• The following prerequisites:
  • Linear Algebra.
  • Calculus and Analytic Geometry I: Topics covered include equations of straight lines, conic sections; functions, limits and continuity; differentiation; maximum-minimum theory and curve sketching.
  • Calculus and Analytic Geometry II: Integration and its applications; the calculus of transcendental functions; techniques of integration; and the introduction to differential equations.
  • Calculus and Analytic Geometry III:  Polar coordinates, parametric equations, sequences, infinite series, vector analysis.
  • 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.
• GRE test is required. Scores should be sent to SOPHAS by using the code 4244.
• Submission of the SOPHAS application and the supplemental OUHSC Hudson College of Public Health application.
• Career goal statement uploaded through SOPHAS.
• Current CV/Resume uploaded through SOPHAS.
• 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.
• 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.  
  • 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.
• 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.
• Interview with Admissions Committee (in-person or via web-conferencing).

APPLICATION DEADLINES

PhD 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

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.

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.  

• $100 for one or two professional programs (Certificate / MPH / MHA programs). One professional program = $100. Two professional programs = $100.
• $75 for one or two graduate program(s) (MS / PhD programs).
• $175 for one professional program AND one graduate program (i.e. applicant applies to both the MPH in Biostatistics and the MS in Biostatistics).

COST & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Student support opportunities to offset costs include graduate research assistantships and public health scholarships. Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, insurance, and supplies. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.

Financial support opportunities for students:

• graduate research assistantships - may be eligible for waiver of non-resident tuition
• Hudson College of Public Health scholarships
• fellowships such as the Hudson Fellowship
• traineeships

Estimated Costs

Bursar’s Office – Tuition and Fees

Financial Assistance

Scholarship Opportunities

CURRICULUM

Prerequisites: Students applying to the PhD in Biostatistics must have completed a Master’s degree program (MPH or MS) in Biostatistics or a related field. Up to 40 credit hours from the Master’s program may be counted toward the PhD with approval. 

Depending on student’s background, the student may also be required to enroll in additional elective courses that cover topics students ordinarily complete in their MS or MPH curricula that are prerequisites for doctoral level courses. These may be completed after enrolling in the PhD program, and include the following courses: 

BSE Required Courses (19 credit hours)

• 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 5173 Biostatistics Methods II
• BSE 5193 Intermediate Epidemiologic Methods
• BSE 5663 Analysis of Frequency Data 

Any MS or PhD student who has not previously completed the core MPH courses or earned an MPH degree will be required to complete an overview course in public health. At the first opportunity students should enroll in: 

• BSE 5033 Foundations and Overview of Public Health (3 credit hours)

Elective Courses: at least 6 credit hours total

The student must complete at least six additional credit hours of elective coursework in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. This coursework must be approved in advance by the student’s advisory committee. The following courses do not satisfy this requirement: BSE 5980, 6950, or 6980. 

Dissertation: 20 – 25 credit hours total 

The student must enroll for at least 20 credit hours in Research for Doctoral Dissertation (BSE 6980). No more than 25 credit hours in BSE 6980 may be applied toward the minimum 90 credit hours required for the degree. 

Other Requirements:

• Students are required, prior to initiation of doctoral research, to complete training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and Protection of Human Research Subjects. The training includes completion of the CITI course for Human Subjects Research (Social-Behavioral-Educational Basic module) and successful completion of a one credit course in RCR approved by the Department. 
• Students are required to attend all departmental and Hudson College of Public Health seminars during the spring and fall semesters.
• Students are required to enroll in a minimum of six credit hours during the spring and fall semesters.
• Students are required to achieve a working knowledge of methods, programming, and applications of computers as used in Biostatistics and Epidemiology. This knowledge may be acquired by formal class work or by experience acquired either before entering or during the course of the program. Completing BSE 5013 with a passing grade constitutes the minimum level of knowledge associated with this requirement.
• Students are required to achieve a basic knowledge of the biomedical sciences as they relate to human health and disease. This requirement may be satisfied in one or more areas. Any coursework needed to satisfy this requirement may be taken at this or another institution, either before or after entering the program. One example of an applicable course is Principles of Pathobiology (PATH 6024).
• Tools of research that increase research proficiency are required. Research tools include competence in the use of computerized databases, and in the oral and written presentation of research data. The faculty will validate students’ acquiring of tools of research as they assess students’ performance on (1) the written qualifying examination, (2) the general and oral examinations, and (3) the dissertation.
• Students must pass a written qualifying examination at the end of the first year of doctoral coursework, which must include BSE 5703 and BSE 5733. The qualifying examination will consist of two parts, each roughly four hours long. One part will focus on knowledge of statistical theory and mathematical statistics, and the other will assess ability to process, analyze, and interpret data collected to answer a research question.
• Students must pass a General Written and Oral Examination.
• Students must complete the defense of the dissertation within five years of the end of the semester within which the General Written and Oral Examination was successfully completed. If the time expires before the dissertation is completed, the coursework must be revalidated by retaking and passing the General Written and Oral Examination. 

DOCTORAL STUDENT TEACHING REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to participate in at least 40 hours of agreed teaching activities.

Teaching experiences must be obtained in teaching epidemiology or biostatistics. The exact experiences and potential opportunities for teaching experiences should be discussed by the student and their advisor and/or advisory committee. Under the guidance of the course instructor or the faculty mentor, teaching experiences may include:

• Teaching graduate level courses in epidemiology or biostatistics.
• Developing course material.
• Delivering lectures.
• Leading review and discussion sections.
• Writing and grading homework assignments.
• Writing and grading exams.

Participation in teaching activities will be documented on the Annual Graduate Student Progress Report. Students are required to identify available teaching opportunities and to contact the instructor of record to arrange for their participation in the teaching activity. The total 40 hours of teaching activities may include participation in the activities listed above as well as preparation for these activities.

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 PhD 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

Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Hudson College of Public Health
The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
801 NE 13th Street, Suite 165
Oklahoma City, OK  73104

Office of Student Services
Phone:  (405) 271-2308
Email:  hcoph@ouhsc.edu

OUHSC Office of Admissions and Records: (405) 271-2359
OUHSC Office of Financial Aid: (405) 271-2118

Click here to schedule a virtual, phone, or in-person prospective student appointment with one of our Advisors.