Master’s in Biostatistics (MA)

Many issues in the health, medical and biological sciences are addressed by collecting and exploring relevant data. The development and application of techniques to better understand this data is the fundamental concern of our program. We offer training in statistics and biostatistics theory, computer implementation of analytic methods, and opportunities to use this knowledge in areas of biological and medical research.

Berkeley Public Health and UC Berkeley’s Department of Statistics, together with other UC Berkeley departments, offer a broad set of opportunities to satisfy the needs of individual students. In addition, the involvement of faculty from UCSF’s  Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology enriches our instructional and research activities.

Curriculum

Our master’s program is a two-year program consisting of 48 units with courses selected from biostatistics and statistics, public health, and biology.

The oral comprehensive examination is designed to test a candidate’s breadth of understanding and knowledge, as well as the ability to articulate and explain the basic concepts gained from the curriculum. Alternatively, a thesis may be submitted to fulfill requirements. However, the decision to submit a thesis rather than take the oral examination must be made early in the final semester of the program.

Students should take the following courses:

• STAT 201A: Introduction to Probability at an Advanced Level
• STAT 201B: Introduction to Statistics at an Advanced Level
• PH C240A: Introduction to Modern Biostatistical Theory and Practice

In addition to Statistics 201A and 201B and PH C240A, students are expected to take PH252D (Introduction to Causal Inference) and at least two other courses from the following list:

• PH C240B: Biostatistical Methods: Survival Analysis and Causality

• PH 240C: Computational Statistics

• PH 252E: Advanced Topics in Causal Inference

• PH 244: Big Data: A Public Health Perspective

• CS 294.150: Machine Learning and Statistics Meet Biology

• PH C242C: Longitudinal Data Analysis

• PH 290.X: Targeted Learning in Biomedical Big Data

Qualifications

• Previous coursework in calculus, linear algebra, and statistics is strongly recommended.
• Common undergraduate majors for admitted applicants: Biomedical & biological sciences, mathematics, statistics. Common work experience for admitted applicants: Typical successful applicants have work experience in Research Assistant positions at a health department.
• GRE scores are required for the fall 2023 admissions cycle. Please visit our application instructions page to read our exemption policy and to learn how to submit your GRE scores.

Employment

Some students pursuing the MA degree intend to continue directly into a PhD program, while others take research positions in tech companies, federal agencies, state and local health departments, health care delivery organizations, and private industry. MA students interested in continuing into the UC Berkeley Biostatistics doctoral program immediately following their MA degree should apply to the new degree program through the Online Application for Admission during their second year of study during the normal admissions cycle.

Funding and fee remission

Prospective students who are US citizens or permanent residents can find more information about applying for an application fee waiver for the Berkeley Graduate Application. Fees will be waived based on financial need or participation in selected programs described on the linked website. International applicants (non-US citizens or Permanent Residents) are not eligible for application fee waivers.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Division of Biostatistics is committed to challenging systemic inequities in the areas of health, medical, and biological sciences, and to advancing the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in Biostatistics and related fields.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Biostatistics

Biostatistics Faculty

Alan Hubbard PhD

Chair, Biostatistics Division

Laura B. Balzer, PhD, MPhil

Associate Professor, Biostatistics

Sandrine Dudoit PhD

Associate Dean for the Faculty and Research, Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society

Mi-Suk Kang Dufour PhD, MPH

Associate Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics

Lexin Li PhD

Professor, Biostatistics

John Marshall PhD

Professor in Residence, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Maya Petersen MD, PhD

Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Corinne Riddell PhD, MSc

Assistant Adjunct Professor, Biostatistics

Alejandro Schuler, PhD

Assistant Professor in Residence, Division of Biostatistics

Mark van der Laan PhD

Professor, Biostatistics and Statistics

Jingshen Wang, PhD

Assistant Professor, Biostatistics

Clinical Faculty

Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH

Associate Clinical Professor, Biostatistics

Emeritus

Nicholas P. Jewell PhD

Professor of the Graduate School, Public Health

Maureen Lahiff PhD

Emeritus Academic, Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Faculty Associated in Biostatistics Graduate Group

Alumni Directory