Biostatistics 

Oregon MPH at Oregon State University

Oregon State University is a partner in the Oregon Master of Public Health Program, a collaborative of Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon State University, and Portland State University.

Our graduate program in Biostatistics will prepare students for careers in the application of statistical and mathematical methods to the design and analysis of health research and to the planning and evaluation of public health programs. To work effectively in the health field, a biostatistician must be knowledgeable about both public health issues and statistical methods and theory. Thus, each student's program includes training in both the public health and statistics portions of Biostatistics; these two components of training complement each other. The statistics portion aims to develop understanding and strength in the theory and applications of statistics. A wide range of courses is offered on statistical theory and application.

Track Learning Competencies

The objective of the Biostatistics Track is to combine comprehensive training in public health with specific instruction in the principles and methods of Biostatistics to prepare theoretically grounded, culturally competent, and technically skilled public health professionals.

Upon satisfactory completion of the Oregon MPH Biostatistics Track, students should be able to:

 1. Describe the roles Biostatistics plays in recognizing and addressing public health problems.

2. Understand and appropriately apply different Biostatistical tools and concepts, such as comparison of two groups, linear regression, and dichotomous data methods.

3. Apply principles of good ethical/legal practice and cultural competency as they relate to study design, data management and data analysis, including considerations of confidentiality, data security, appropriate pre-testing of data collection instruments, among many.

4. Apply common statistical methods for inference in data analyses, including examining the precision and accuracy of estimates and evaluating alternative methods for estimates of parameters.

5. Apply Biostatistical skills in the formulation or application of public health programs or policies. These would include understanding possible biases, limits of existing data, limits of various estimators and procedures, and the effect of missing data on inferences.

6. Develop written and oral presentations based on statistical analyses to assist in communicating findings and developing recommended evidence-based interventions and control measures in public health research and evaluation.

The Biostatistics Track complements the existing tracks at other OMPH participating institutions. A blended Epidemiology/Biostatistics Track is offered at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) in Portland; in contrast, this track focuses on biostatistics. The OHSU track is housed at an academic medical research institution located in an urban setting, with public health students there trained alongside medical students. OSU, located in a more rural community, is a land/sea/sun grant university with undergraduate and graduate programs and a well-established Extension Service. In addition to context given by location, the curriculum of the Biostatistics Track differs substantially from the blended Epidemiology/Biostatistics Track. There is more emphasis in the Biostatistics Track on preparation for public health practice; for example, the Epidemiology/Biostatistics Track requires a thesis and a 100 hour internship, while the Biostatistics Track uses a 200 hour internship as the capstone activity, but does not require a thesis.

 This track will train students in Biostatistics for jobs in government agencies, industrial programs, research institutions, public health departments and universities. It will prepare public health Biostatisticians for leadership roles in the private sector and/or public workforce.

The MPH in Biostatistics  is currently offered at Oregon State University (OSU).

• Biostatistics Track Curriculum and Course Competencies 
•  Link directly to Biostatistics at OSU
• Biostatistics Student Handbook (coming Fall 2010)
  
• How to Apply

The application deadline has been extended to September 1, 2010 for Biostatistics track.

 Peter A. Lachenbruch, PhD
Oregon State University
Department of Public Health
Peter.Lachenbruch@oregonstate.edu

Related Oregon State University web resources

• Department of Public Health
• College of Health and Human Sciences
• Oregon State University Home Page