The Master of Science in Biostatistics Thesis is a 63-credit degree program. This page provides an overview of requirements for students entering the program in 2023 or prior.
Course Credits
- 25 credits of core curriculum courses
- 11 credits of elective courses
- 6 seminar credits
- 3 credits for Statistical Consulting (BIOST 590)
- 18 credits for Thesis
- Minimum 3.0 grade in each core course and 2.7 minimum in each elective course
- Full-time enrollment of 10 credits per quarter is expected (summer optional).
Exam
Students must pass the First Year (MS) Statistical Theory Examination after the end of spring quarter following completion of STAT 512 and STAT 513 (usually in the first year). If this examination is failed, it must be passed the following year. Learn more about exams in our Students section.
Thesis
The master's thesis is an opportunity to give insight into a research question or body of data. It also provides evidence of your ability to carry out independent biostatistical investigation and to present the results in clear and systematic form. Under the guidance of an advisor and second reader, MS Thesis students must perform biostatistics research and write a thesis.
- Students should consider potential thesis advisors and topics starting in the first year of the graduate program.
- Students typically begin work on their thesis in the autumn quarter of their second year.
Sample Timeline
For students entering the program in 2023 or prior.
First Year
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
| STAT 512 Statistical Inference | STAT 513 Statistical Inference | BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics 2 | Select Thesis Advisor |
| BIOST 514 Biostatistics I | BIOST 515 Biostatistics II | ||
| Elective (optional) | Elective (optional) | Electives | |
| BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics 1 | BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics | BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics | |
|
Students entering the program in 2023 or later must fulfill the CEPH foundational knowledge in Public Health requirement by taking one of the following required courses any quarter/year of the program: BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics or PHI 500 Public Health Practice, Science and Knowledge |
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Second Year
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOST 536 Categorical Data Analysis in Epidemiology | BIOST 537 Survival Data Analysis in Epidemiology | Electives | |
| Elective | Elective | ||
| BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics | BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics | BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics | |
| BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (one quarter) 3 | |||
Core Courses
- BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics (2 credits) OR PHI 500 Public Health Practice, Science, and Knowledge (1 credit)
- BIOST 514 Biostatistics I (4 credits)
- BIOST 515 Biostatistics II (4 credits)
- BIOST 536 Categorical Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4 credits)
- BIOST 537 Survival Data Analysis in Epidemiology (4 credits)
- STAT 512 Statistical Inference (4 credits)
- STAT 513 Statistical Inference (4 credits)
Additional requirements
- BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics (6 credits total)
- BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (3 credits)
- BIOST 700 Master's Thesis (18 credits total)
- Electives
- Minimum 6 credits from Elective List One: Methodological Emphasis
- Minimum 5 credits from Elective List Two: Biology or Public Health Emphasis
- As a department in the accredited University of Washington School of Public Health, the Department of Biostatistics requires that all graduates demonstrate foundational knowledge in Public Health. Any questions should be directed to the Graduate Program Director.
- Students who enter the department in autumn 2019 through 2022 fulfill this requirement by taking BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics as one of their List 2 electives, satisfying the most recent requirements set forth by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
- Students who entered the department in autumn 2018 or prior fulfill this requirement by taking the core required courses BIOST 536 and BIOST 537 (cross-listed with EPI 536 and 537), and are not required to take BIOST 504, but may optionally take it as a List 2 elective.
- Elective courses may be taken S/NS or equivalent, pending approval of the Graduate Program Director. To earn the grade of "S," students must achieve a 2.7 or higher.
Course recommendations and notes
- The department recommends that students register for and attend the BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics every quarter. Six quarters are required.
- In preparation for work on the thesis, students are expected to master computational skills at the level covered in BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics. Taking this course in the first year is recommended.
- BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting is a required course and MS Thesis students typically take it at the end of Year 1 or during Year 2. Enrollment is limited to 4-6 students per quarter so advance planning is necessary. Students may email bcurric@uw.edu to sign up for a quarter.
Optional courses
- BIOST 582 Student Seminar is offered every autumn, winter, and spring quarter.
- BIOST 600 Independent Study may be arranged with a faculty advisor in any quarter.
Milestones
- First Year (MS) Theory Exam follows spring quarter of Year 1.
- MS Thesis completed by the end of Year 2.