The MS in Biostatistics will allow students to specialize in the design and analysis of health-related and biological studies, while maintaining the rigor and technical training of the Statistical Science master's program.
In this degree, students will take a statistics core and a "bio" core, involving courses in public health, biology, and clinical medicine (including ethics). It also involves a research core which allows students to solve real data problems in the biological or health area and collaborate with other scientists in an interdisciplinary team. Finally, students will choose from electives in bioinformatics, global and community health, or targeted statistics courses.
This graduate degree prepares students for analyzing difficult data specific to biology and health. The program, with its research core, will also be sufficiently rigorous for students who wish to pursue a PhD in Biostatistics.
Admissions
In addition to satisfying general admission requirements for graduate study, all applicants are expected to have basic computer literacy. They must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field that includes one year coursework in calculus, and one semester coursework in matrix or linear algebra. Applicants with degrees in such fields as mathematics, statistics, and some engineering programs usually meet these requirements. For applicants with degrees in other fields, these requirements are normally satisfied if students have successfully completed courses equivalent to the listed Mason courses.
Note that coursework taken to correct deficiencies in undergraduate preparation is not counted toward the degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Mason Core) | 4 |
| MATH 114 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 203 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| or MATH 321 | Abstract Algebra | |
Specific application deadlines and requirements are available through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
In addition to meeting general requirements that apply to master's degrees at Mason, all students must complete the 21-credit core requirements for the degree. A grade of "B-" or better is required in all 500-level statistics core courses. Students build on these core requirements by choosing 9 credits of electives.
Core Courses
Statistics Core
The Statistics core provides the basic probability, statistical analysis techniques, and statistical modeling tools that all biostatisticians must know, and provides a basis for higher level elective coursework.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 544 | Applied Probability | 3 |
| STAT 554 | Applied Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT 654 | Applied Statistics II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Bio Core
The Bio core is designed to provide the biological background necessary for biostatisticians. These courses offer preparation in the areas of public health and epidemiology (GCH 712 Introduction to Epidemiology), bioengineering (BENG 501 Bioengineering Research Methods , BENG 538 Medical Imaging) as well as bioinformatics (BINF 630 Bioinformatics Methods). In addition, this portion of the core curriculum ensures that students are trained in the statistical techniques required for clinical medicine, and includes material on ethics in research (STAT 560 Biostatistical Methods).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GCH 712 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3 |
| or BENG 501 | Bioengineering Research Methods | |
| BINF 630 | Bioinformatics Methods | 3 |
| or BENG 538 | Medical Imaging | |
| STAT 560 | Biostatistical Methods | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Research Core
The Research core has been designed to assist students in the development of the requisite skills for careers in consulting or research. These courses will allow students to consult directly with biologists and medical and public health scientists on real data problems and provide opportunities to write reports and give oral presentations.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 634 | Case Studies in Data Analysis | 3 |
| or STAT 798 | Master's Research Project | |
| Total Credits | 3 | |
Electives
The electives labeled STAT are specifically chosen from the department's master's-level electives to include techniques that are particularly important for biostatisticians.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three electives from the following: | 9 | |
| International Research Ethics and Methods | ||
| Advanced Multivariate Statistics and Data Analysis for Health Care Research | ||
| Statistical Inference | ||
| Nonparametric Statistics | ||
| Advanced Biostatistical Methods I | ||
| Advanced Biostatistical Methods II | ||
| Multivariate Analysis and Statistical Learning | ||
| Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization | ||
| Categorical Data Analysis | ||
| Statistical Learning and Data Analytics | ||
| Statistical Computing | ||
| Neural Engineering | ||
| Medical Image Processing | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Advanced Biomechanics | ||
Bioengineering, BS/Biostatistics, Accelerated MS
Overview:
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program (BAM) and obtain the Bioengineering, BS and the Biostatistics, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 146 credits.
Admitted students are able to use up to 6 graduate credits in partial satisfaction of requirements for the undergraduate degree. Upon completion and conferral of the bachelor's degree and with satisfactory performance (grade of 'B' or better) in each of the graduate courses, students are given advanced standing in the master's program.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements:
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and
Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific prerequisites.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the Biostatistics, MS program if they meet the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:
- Completion of Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completion of application for graduation.
- An overall GPA of at least 3.0.
- Completion of the following Mason courses each with a grade of C or better:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 213 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | 3 |
| BENG 320 | Bioengineering Signals and Systems | 3 |
Accelerated Pathway Requirements:
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs. Students can take up to six credits of the following approved graduate level courses listed below as part of their undergraduate degree that will also be applied to the graduate degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BENG 501 | Bioengineering Research Methods | 3 |
| STAT 554 | Applied Statistics I | 3 |
| STAT 560 | Biostatistical Methods | 3 |
| STAT 663 | Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization | 3 |
All graduate course prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment. Each graduate course must be completed with a grade of B or better to apply toward the MS program. The graduate courses may be counted as Technical Electives toward Bioengineering, BS program requirements, with approval of the Bioengineering Department undergraduate coordinator.
While still in undergraduate status, a maximum of six additional graduate credits may be taken as reserve graduate credit and applied to the master's program. Reserve graduate credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees policies.
Degree Conferral:
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.
Statistics, BS/Biostatistics, Accelerated MS
Overview:
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program (BAM) and obtain the Statistics, BS and the Biostatistics, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
Admitted students are able to use up to 12 graduate credits in partial satisfaction of requirements for the undergraduate degree. Upon completion and conferral of the bachelor's degree and with satisfactory performance (grade of 'B' or better) in each of the graduate courses, students are given advanced standing in the master's program.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements:
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of 60 credits with an overall GPA of 3.0.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific prerequisites.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the Biostatistics, MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form:
- Completion of Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completion of application for graduation.
- An overall GPA of 3.00.
- Completion of the following Mason courses each with a grade of C or better:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 114 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 203 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| STAT 334 | Introduction to Probability Models and Simulation | 3 |
| or STAT 346 | Probability for Engineers | |
| STAT 354 | Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists II | 3 |
| or STAT 360 | Introduction to Statistical Practice II | |
| STAT 362 | Introduction to Computer Statistical Packages | 3 |
Accelerated Pathway Requirements:
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, students complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS program with up to twelve credits overlap chosen from the following graduate courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| STAT 544 | Applied Probability 1 | 3 |
| STAT 554 | Applied Statistics I 1 | 3 |
| STAT 560 | Biostatistical Methods 2 | 3 |
| STAT 663 | Statistical Graphics and Data Visualization 1 | 3 |
- 1
May be counted as a Technical Elective towards the BS program requirements.
- 2
Replaces the corresponding undergraduate version STAT 460 as a Statistical Elective. Credit may not be received for both STAT 460 and STAT 560.
All graduate course prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment. Each graduate course must be completed with a grade of B or better to apply toward the MS degree.
While still in undergraduate status, a maximum of 6 additional graduate credits may be taken as reserve graduate credit and applied to the master's program. Reserve graduate credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees policies.
Degree Conferral:
Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and Graduate Recruitment and Enrollment Services. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.