Academics

Doctor of Philosphy Courses & Timeline

Most students take the core lecture courses during their first two years. Timing of electives vary from what is listed.  Please discuss when to take your electives with your advisor.

Standard Pathway

Statistical Genetics Pathway

Sample Timeline for Standard Pathway

  Autumn Winter Spring Summer
1st Year STAT 512 Statistical Inference STAT 513 Statistical Inference BIOST 533 Theory of Linear Models  
BIOST 514 Biostatistics I BIOST 515 Biostatistics II BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics 2
MATH 574 Fundamental Concepts of Analysis 3 or Elective MATH 575 Fundamental Concepts of Analysis 3 or Elective STAT 559 Measure Theory 3 and/or Elective
BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics 1 BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics
2nd Year STAT 581 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference STAT 582 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference STAT 583 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference Exam Preparation
BIOST 570 Advanced Regression Methods for Independent Data BIOST 571 Advanced Regression Methods for Dependent Data BIOST 572 Advanced Regression Methods: Project
Elective Elective Elective
BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics
BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting (recommended; Spr and/or Sum) 4  
3rd Year Select Dissertation Advisor Dissertation Research Finalize Supervisory Committee
Elective(s)
TA (Aut, Win, or Spr)
BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics 
BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (one quarter; 3rd or 4th Year) 5 followed by BIOST 591 Applied Research Project (3 credits)

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 during any quarter/year: BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics or PHI 500 Public Health Practice, Science and Knowledge

4th Year General Exam Dissertation Research and Writing
5th Year Final Exam and Graduation

Core Courses

*A new student placement exam may be taken to waive STAT 512 and STAT 513.

Additional requirements

Course recommendations and notes

  1. The department recommends that students register for and attend the BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics every quarter. Students are required to register for BIOST 580 for at least nine quarters.
  2. In preparation for work on their dissertation, 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 of PhD studies is recommended.
  3. In preparation for advanced coursework in Statistical Theory (STAT 581 , STAT 582, and STAT 583) and the PhD Statistical Theory Exam, students are expected to master Real Analysis and Measure Theory at the level covered in MATH 574MATH 575, and STAT 559. Taking these courses in the first year of PhD studies is recommended, for students who have not previously mastered this material.
  4. In preparation for the PhD Applied Research Project (BIOST 591), students are expected to master data analysis at the level covered in BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting. Taking this course at least once in the second or third year of PhD studies is recommended.
  5. BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting is a required course and is typically taken during Years 3 or 4. 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.
  6. Most students will complete The Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) after the 570s sequence, the Data Analysis course (BIOST 579) and the Consulting Course (BIOST 590), as these all provide important preparation. A project proposal that has been approved by the Applied Project Committee is required prior to registering for BIOST 591. BIOST 591 must be completed prior to the General Exam.

Optional courses

Milestones

  1. First-Year Theory Exam follows spring quarter of Year 1.
  2. PhD Theory Exam occurs at the end of Summer Year 2.
  3. Selection of dissertation advisor and topic by Year 3. (This process includes conducting independent studies with faculty, attending seminars, and engaging in discussions with faculty).
  4. Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) completed before General Exam in Years 3 or 4.
  5. General Exam completed in Years 3 or 4.
  6. Final Exam completed in Years 4 or 5.

Sample Timeline for Statistical Genetics Pathway

  Autumn Winter Spring Summer
1st Year STAT 512 Statistical Inference STAT 513 Statistical Inference BIOST 533 Theory of Linear Models  
BIOST 514 Biostatistics I BIOST 515 Biostatistics II BIOST 561 Computational Skills for Biostatistics 2
MATH 574 Fundamental Concepts of Analysis 3 or Elective MATH 575 Fundamental Concepts of Analysis 3 or Elective STAT 559 Measure Theory 3 and/or BIOST 550 Statistical Genetics I: Mendelian Traits
BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar 1 BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar
2nd Year STAT 581 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference STAT 582 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference STAT 583 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference Exam Preparation
BIOST 570 Advanced Regression Methods for Independent Data  GENOME 562 Population Genetics 6 and/or GENOME 540 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology: Genome and Protein Sequence Analysis 7 (2nd or 3rd year)​ Elective
BIOST 551 Statistical Genetics II: Quantitative Traits
BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar
BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting (recommended; Spr and/or Sum) 4  
3rd Year Select Dissertation Advisor Dissertation Research Finalize Supervisory Committee
Elective(s)
TA (Aut, Win, or Spr)
BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar
BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (one quarter; 3rd or 4th Year) 5followed by BIOST 591 Applied Research Project (3 credits)

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 during any quarter/year: BIOST 504 Foundations of Public Health for Biostatistics or PHI 500 Public Health Practice, Science and Knowledge

4th Year General Exam Dissertation Research and Writing
5th Year Final Exam and Graduation

Core Courses

Theory, Methods, and Applications

*A new student placement exam may be taken to waive STAT 512 and STAT 513.

Statistical Genetics

Additional requirements

Course recommendations and notes

  1. Nine quarters of BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar are required, and the department recommends that students register for and attend BIOST 581 every quarter.
  2. In preparation for work on their dissertation, 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 of PhD studies is recommended.
  3. In preparation for advanced coursework in Statistical Theory (STAT 581 , STAT 582, and STAT 583) and the PhD Statistical Theory Exam, students are expected to master Real Analysis and Measure Theory at the level covered in MATH 574MATH 575, and STAT 559. Taking these courses in the first year of PhD studies is recommended, for students who have not previously mastered this material.
  4. In preparation for the PhD Applied Research Project (BIOST 591), students are expected to master data analysis at the level covered in BIOST 579 Data Analysis and Reporting. Taking this course at least once in the second or third year of PhD studies is recommended.
  5. BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting  is a required course and is typically taken during Years 3 or 4. 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.
  6. Most students will complete The Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) after the 570s sequence, the Data Analysis course (BIOST 579) and the Consulting Course (BIOST 590), as these all provide important preparation. A project proposal that has been approved by the Applied Project Committee is required prior to registering for BIOST 591. BIOST 591 must be completed prior to the General Exam.
  7. GENOME 562 Population Genetics is a required course for the pathway and is offered winter quarter in odd numbered years. Students without a background in genetics may need to take an introductory course prior to this class.
  8. GENOME 540 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology: Genome and Protein Sequence Analysis (or GENOME 541 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology: Molecular Evolution) is a required course for the pathway and is offered winter quarter. Students typically take it during Years 2 or 3. Students without a background in genetics may need to take an introductory course prior to this class.

Optional courses

Milestones

  1. First-Year Theory Exam follows spring quarter of Year 1.
  2. The PhD Theory Exam occurs at the end of Summer Year 2.
  3. Selection of dissertation advisor and topic by Year 3. (This process includes conducting independent studies with faculty, attending seminars, and engaging in discussions with faculty).
  4. Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) completed before General Exam in Years 3 or 4.
  5. General Exam completed in Years 3 or 4.
  6. Final Exam completed in Years 4 or 5.

Selecting the Pathway

Students must email the Graduate Program to notify of their wish to follow the Statistical Genetics PhD pathway.