Program Overview

Biostatistics Graduate Certificate Program

The Biostatistics Graduate Certificate is awarded to those who have demonstrated specialized knowledge in a scientific field, but not to the level required by a postgraduate master’s degree. The certificate program requires individuals to acquire focused knowledge in statistical theory, with an emphasis on application.

Overview

Upon completion of the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate, the student should be prepared to apply many of the common statistical methods to complement his or her everyday job duties. Therefore, the student must have a basic understanding of the statistical theory and practice and should be proficient in the application of common statistical methods to one or more areas of application. At the completion of the Biostatistics Graduate Certificate, the student should be able to:

1. demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the statistical theory and practice as applicable to his or her field.
2. function as a collaborator on a research team.
3. critically evaluate the literature where statistical applications are used.
4. participate in the design and implementation of a research project.
5. assume responsibility for the design and implementation of analyses for a research project.
6. serve as an advocate for proper statistical design and interpretation of results in his or her field.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution documented by submission of an official transcript indicating the degree has been conferred before entering the program. Official transcripts from institutions attended post-baccalaureate are also required.
  • Students with degrees from outside the U.S. may be subject to transcript evaluation indicating the degree is equivalent to a U.S. degree and meets the minimum cumulative GPA requirements.
• A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the bachelor's degree.
• Applicants who are not native speakers of English, whether domestic or international, must demonstrate they meet the Minimum English Proficiency Requirement.
• A background check is required during the admission process; it may affect the student's eligibility to enter the program.
• An official copy of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score sent from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to University of Kansas Medical Center.
• Letter grade of B or better in calculus I – III (or equivalent.)
• Successful completion of at least one of the following courses: linear algebra, differential equations, numerical analysis.
• Successful completion of a course in any computer programming language or demonstration of mastery via credentials or work experience.
• Contact information for three references who are familiar with the applicant's work and character and who have agreed to write letters of recommendation.
• Students currently enrolled in graduate programs at KUMC or KU must be in good standing (3.0 or higher GPA) and have a letter of approval from their current graduate program director and/or department chair indicating support to enroll in the certificate program.

Certificate Program Information

• No student may work toward a graduate certificate without being accepted as a graduate certificate student in a specific graduate certificate program.
• Graduate certificates are not granted retroactively. An individual who is not currently a degree-seeking graduate student at KU must apply and may be admitted directly to a graduate certificate program.
• The graduate certificate program is not a means of entry into a graduate degree program. If students admitted to a graduate certificate program are later admitted to a graduate degree program as degree-seeking, applicable courses taken for the graduate certificate program may, upon recommendation of the department and within general guidelines, be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies to be counted toward the degree.

Certificate Requirements

• Certificate requirements are normally completed within one (1) year of admission to the program although a maximum of 4 years is allowed.
• Cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 for all KU graduate certificate coursework.
• Enrollment in a minimum of (1) credit hour the semester program is completed. Graduate certificates may not be granted retroactively.
• Completion of a minimum of 15 credit hours.
• Successful completion of the following Biostatistics courses:
  • BIOS 830: Experimental Design (3 hours)
  • BIOS 840: Linear Regression (3 hours)
  • BIOS 871: Mathematical Statistics (3 hours)
• Successful completion of two (2) elective courses from the following list:
  • BIOS 820: SAS Programming I (3 hours)
  • BIOS 821: SAS Programming II (3 hours)
  • BIOS 823: Introduction to Programming and Applied Statistics in R (3 hours)
  • BIOS 825: Nonparametric Methods (3 hours)
  • BIOS 833: Measurement for Statisticians (3 hours)
  • BIOS 835: Categorical Data Analysis (3 hours)
  • BIOS 845: Survival Analysis (3 hours)
  • BIOS 850: Multivariate Statistics (3 hours)
  • BIOS 855: Statistical Methods in Genomics Research (3 hours)
  • BIOS 872: Mathematical Statistics II (3 hours)
  • BIOS 880: Data Mining and Analytics (3 hours)

Typical Plan of Study

Year 1

• Fall: BIOS 840 (required course) (3 hours), BIOS 871 (required course) (3 hours), Choose elective courses from the following list: BIOS 820 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 835 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 850 (elective course) (3 hours)
• Spring: BIOS 830 (required course) (3 hours), Choose elective courses from the following list: BIOS 821 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 825 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 872 (elective course) (3 hours)
• Summer: Choose elective courses from the following list: BIOS 823 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 833 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 855 (elective course) (3 hours), BIOS 880 (elective course) (3 hours)

Technical Standards

The following abilities and expectations must be met by all students with or without accommodations admitted to the Certificates:

1. Observation: A student must be able to observe and evaluate class demonstrations and field experiences relevant to the field of statistics.
2. Communication: A student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in English in oral, written, and electronic form with other students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the public.
3. Motor: A student must have sufficient motor function to attend classes, prepare assignments, use electronic media, and deliver lectures and public presentations.
4. Intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities: A student must possess the ability to understand and read and understand documents written in English, to understand and work with measurements and calculations, and to engage in reasoning, analysis, synthesis and critical thinking.
5. Behavioral and social attributes: A student must have the emotional health required for the full use of his or her intellectual ability. A student must be able to exercise sound judgment, and to act ethically and with integrity. He or she must develop mature, sensitive, and effective professional relationships with others. A student must be self-motivated, reliable and responsible to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner with no supervision. Students must be able to give attention to detail and have the flexibility to function in a research setting, including adapting to changes in time, place and structure of academic and research settings. The student must have the ability to work with diverse groups.