Program Overview

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Biostatistics, B.S.

The Biostatistics B.S. program is offered through the College for Public Health and Social Justice, which is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The curriculum trains students in managing, analyzing, and interpreting data within the context of public health and health care.

What is the Field of Biostatistics?

Biostatistics is a major for students interested in using data to understand and address questions about health and wellness. Biostatisticians use analytic skills and critical thinking to work with data and answer questions currently challenging public health and health care today.

Why Study Biostatistics?

• Interdisciplinary study: Students explore principles of mathematics, computer programming, statistics, and public health as they learn how the biostatistics field addresses current and emerging public health issues.
• Community impact: Biostatisticians collaborate with researchers, clinicians, policymakers, health care administrators, and communities as they manage, analyze, and interpret data to inform critical health decisions.
• Employment outlook: Biostatistics students gain skills that make them marketable for diverse, competitive-paying STEM jobs such as data analysts, data managers, and research associates.
• The Jesuit difference: Saint Louis University is one of the few universities to offer an undergraduate degree in biostatistics and the only Catholic, Jesuit University to offer this program.

Curriculum Overview

The biostatistics curriculum contains 30 credits of major courses that cover topics in public health and biostatistics, such as statistical computing, data management, applied biostatistics, epidemiology, and evidence-based public health.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Saint Louis University has a strong field experience component. Students can embody the institutions Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others. Service-learning and field exposure opportunities provide valuable field experience and help biostatistics students connect with the St. Louis community and the global community.

Careers

Biostatisticians look forward to careers in health care, government, industry, the nonprofit sector, and academia. Job examples include data analysts, data managers, database administrators, and biostatisticians. The job outlook is excellent, as the U.S. government has reported a shortage of biostatistics professionals.

Admission Requirements

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicants file.

Tuition

Tuition Per Year: $56,960

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education: scholarships and financial aid. Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable.

Accreditation

Saint Louis University's College for Public Health and Social Justice is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Program Notes

Premedical and Medical Scholars students must consult with their academic advisors, and with SLU's Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Studies to ensure the proper premedical course registrations.

Course List

• University Undergraduate Core: 32-35 credits
• Prerequisites for Major Courses:
  • MATH 1510: Calculus I (4 credits)
  • MATH 1520: Calculus II (4 credits)
  • MATH 2530: Calculus III (4 credits)
• Required Biostatistics Major Courses:
  • BST 3000: Intro to Statistical Computing (3 credits)
  • BST 3100: Applied Biostatistics I (3 credits)
  • BST 3200: Applied Biostatistics II (3 credits)
  • BST 4100: Theory of Biostatistics I (3 credits)
  • BST 4200: Theory of Biostatistics II (3 credits)
  • BST 4400: Introduction to Applied Data Management (3 credits)
  • EPI 4000: Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice (3 credits)
  • PUBH 2100: Introduction to Global Health (3 credits)
  • PUBH 3200: Evidence Based Public Health (3 credits)
  • PUBH 4100: Biological Basis of Public Health (3 credits)
• General Elective Courses: 43-46 credits

Continuation Standards

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
• Minimum grade of C in all B.S. in Biostatistics major courses
• Minimum grade of C- in all major pre-requisite courses
• Minimum grade of D in all core courses
• Minimum grade of D in all remaining general elective courses counting toward the minimum 120 credits required for graduation

Roadmap

The roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for programs and assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.

Year One:

• Fall: CORE 1000, CORE 1500, CORE 1900, MATH 1510, PUBH 2100, General Elective
• Spring: BST 3000, CORE 1600, MATH 1520, General Elective, General Elective

Year Two:

• Fall: BST 3100, CORE 1200, CORE 1700, MATH 2530, CORE: Dignity, Ethics & a Just Society
• Spring: BST 3200, CORE 2500, CORE: Global Interdependence, CORE: Identities in Context, CORE: Writing Intensive, General Elective

Year Three:

• Fall: BST 4100, CORE 2800, CORE 3400, PUBH 3200, General Elective
• Spring: BST 4200, CORE 3600, CORE: Reflection in Action, General Elective, General Elective

Year Four:

• Fall: BST 4400, CORE 3500, EPI 4000, General Elective, General Elective
• Spring: CORE 4000, PUBH 4100, General Elective, General Elective, General Elective

Total Credits: 120-122