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.
NOTE: The Statistical Genetics Pathway will not be a program option starting with the entering cohort of 2025. However, statistical genetics coursework and research opportunities will continue to be available in our graduate programs.
Sample Timeline for Standard Pathway
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 533 Theory of Linear Models (3 credits)
- BIOST 570 Advanced Regression Methods for Independent Data (4 credits)
- BIOST 571 Advanced Regression Methods for Dependent Data (4 credits)
- BIOST 572 Advanced Regression Methods: Project (3 credits)
- STAT 512 Statistical Inference (4 credits)*
- STAT 513 Statistical Inference (4 credits)*
- STAT 581 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
- STAT 582 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
- STAT 583 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
*A new student placement exam may be taken to waive STAT 512 and STAT 513.
Additional requirements
- BIOST 580 Seminar in Biostatistics or BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar (9 credits total)
- BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (3 credits)
- BIOST 591 Applied Research Project (3 credits)
- BIOST 800 Doctoral Dissertation (36 credits total)
- Electives
- Minimum 6 credits from Elective List One: Methodological Emphasis
- Minimum 8* credits from Elective List Two: Biology or Public Health Emphasis.
- *Minimum 9 credits are required for entering cohorts of 2022 and earlier.
- 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 entered the department in Autumn 2018 or prior fulfill this requirement by taking at least one course (3 credits) in epidemiology. This can be satisfied by taking a BIOST course that is cross-listed with Epidemiology (e.g., BIOST 516, BIOST 519, BIOST 520, BIOST 531, BIOST 536, BIOST 537, BIOST 555) as well as EPI 517 (cross-listed with PHG 511). Note: a BIOST course that is cross-listed with EPI and that is listed either under Elective List 1 or 2 counts towards both the electives credit and the epidemiology requirement.
- Students who enter the department in Autumn 2019 through Autumn 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).
- Elective courses may be taken S/NS or equivalent, pending approval from the Graduate Program Director. See policy here: https://www.biostat.washington.edu/support/policy-graduate-students-bio…. 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 or BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar every quarter. Students are required to register for BIOST 580 or BIOST 581 for at least nine quarters.
- 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.
- 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 574, MATH 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 Theory Exam follows spring quarter of Year 1.
- PhD Theory Exam occurs at the end of Summer Year 2.
- 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).
- Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) completed before General Exam in Years 3 or 4.
- General Exam completed in Years 3 or 4.
- Final Exam completed in Years 4 or 5.
Sample Timeline for Statistical Genetics Pathway
Core Courses
Theory, Methods, and Applications
- 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 533 Theory of Linear Models (3 credits)
- BIOST 570 Advanced Regression Methods for Independent Data (4 credits)
- STAT 512 Statistical Inference (4 credits)*
- STAT 513 Statistical Inference (4 credits)*
- STAT 581 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
- STAT 582 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
- STAT 583 Advanced Theory of Statistical Inference (4 credits)
*A new student placement exam may be taken to waive STAT 512 and STAT 513.
Statistical Genetics
- BIOST 550 Statistical Genetics I: Mendelian Traits (3 credits)
- BIOST 551 Statistical Genetics II: Quantitative Traits (3 credits)
- GENOME 540 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology: Genome and Protein Sequence Analysis (4 credits) or GENOME 541 Introduction to Computational Molecular Biology: Molecular Evolution (4 credits)
- GENOME 562 Population Genetics (4 credits)
Additional requirements
- BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar (9 credits total)
- BIOST 590 Biostatistical Consulting (3 credits)
- BIOST 591 Applied Research Project (3 credits)
- BIOST 800 Doctoral Dissertation (36 credits total)
- Electives
- Minimum 6 credits from Elective List One: Methodological Emphasis
- Minimum 2 credits* from Elective List Two: Biology or Public Health Emphasis.
- *Minimum 1 credit is required for entering cohorts of 2022 and earlier.
- BIOST 571 and BIOST 572 (which is required for Standard Pathway students) may count as Elective List One credits for Stat Gen students.)
- 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 entered the department in Autumn 2018 or prior fulfill this requirement by taking at least one course (3 credits) in epidemiology. This can be satisfied by taking a BIOST course that is cross-listed with Epidemiology (e.g., BIOST 516, BIOST 519, BIOST 520, BIOST 531, BIOST 536, BIOST 537, BIOST 555) as well as EPI 517 (cross-listed with PHG 511). Note: a BIOST course that is cross-listed with EPI and that is listed either under Elective List 1 or 2 counts towards both the electives credit and the epidemiology requirement.
- Students who enter the department in Autumn 2019 through Autumn 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).
- Elective courses may be taken S/NS or equivalent. To earn the grade of "S," students must achieve a 2.7 or higher.
Course recommendations and notes
- Nine quarters of BIOST 581 Statistical Genetics Seminar are required, and the department recommends that students register for and attend BIOST 581 every quarter.
- 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.
- 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 574, MATH 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 Theory Exam follows spring quarter of Year 1.
- The PhD Theory Exam occurs at the end of Summer Year 2.
- 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).
- Applied Research Project (BIOST 591) completed before General Exam in Years 3 or 4.
- General Exam completed in Years 3 or 4.
- 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.