Demand for advanced expertise in biostatistics continues to be high in both the public and private sectors, particularly in settings emphasizing research in biomedicine and biotechnology. The masters programs in Biostatistics provide advanced training in the theory and application of statistical methods in public health, clinical medicine, and the biological sciences. Both degree programs require up to 8 courses; the Sc.M. requires a thesis. The program is administered by faculty in the Biostatistics Section in the Program in Public Health. Major areas of research activity include Bayesian inference, analysis of biomarkers and diagnostic tests, causal inference and missing data, time series and functional data analysis, modeling of social networks, bioinformatics, longitudinal data, and multilevel modeling. Faculty collaborate actively with investigators in the areas of cancer prevention and screening, behavioral sciences, HIV/AIDS, health care policy, genetic epidemiology, neuroscience, and genomics. All biostatistics faculty are members of the Center for Statistical Sciences, which hosts the Biostatistics Methods and Data Center for the NCI-funded American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) and the Biostatistics Core for Brown’s Center for AIDS Research.

Brown's Program in Public Health is located in newly renovated space at 121 South Main Street in the heart of downtown Providence, just blocks from the main green and walking distance to several of Brown's research centers. Its educational programs include both masters and doctoral programs in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Health Services Research, an MPH program, and undergraduate concentrations in both Community Health and Statistics. The Program in Public Health is home to several world-class research centers, such as the Center for Gerontology and Health Services Research, the International Health Institute, and the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. Our faculty also collaborate with researchers at Brown’s Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, Center for Computational Molecular Biology, Center for Genetics, Genomics and Proteomics, and the Population Studies Training Center.

Additional resources: Students have access to a high-end, continuously updated computing environment featuring both Unix and PC networks, with access to all major software for data analysis and numerical computing.

Completion requirements: Eight courses; thesis required for Sc.M. Up to one course from another institution can be transferred.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Admission requirements: MCAT or LSAT tests cannot be substituted for GRE. Experience with numerical computing is also recommended. Applications from students in applied fields such as biology, biochemistry, economics and computer science are strongly encouraged, with the understanding that necessary mathematical coursework may have to be completed before or soon after enrollment in the program.

GRE General: Required

GRE Subject: Not required

Financial aid: Limited financial aid is available to masters students in the form of Public Health Program scholarships and research apprenticeships. The PHP scholarship grants roughly 25% tuition. Research apprenticeships cover a larger portion of tuition and provide a monthly stipend. These awards are based on merit and qualifications; student loans also are available through the Financial Aid Office.

Application deadline: Rolling admissions; for consideration for financial aid, applications are due by February 1.