Master of Science in the Field of Health and Biomedical Data Science, Applied Biostatistics Concentration

The master of science in the field of health and biomedical data science program positions graduates to be leaders and practitioners in public health and medicine. The program blends biostatistics and bioinformatics concepts with practical experience in health data analyses, with a focus on collaboration in interdisciplinary research.

As part of their program of study, students pursue one of two tracks:

Biostatistics track

The biostatistics track prepares graduates to conduct research, undertake evaluation studies, and monitor population health status in academic, government, private sector, and community health settings. Through this research, students gain an understanding of the risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, and how infectious diseases, such as Zika, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, spread. Graduates work with the most vulnerable communities in order to improve health outcomes.

Bioinformatics track

The bioinformatics track prepares students for work as data analysts, informaticians, and/or software developers with opportunities in governmental, academic, and private sector settings. Graduates are primed to pursue independent doctoral-level research at leading programs in bioinformatics and computational biology. Through this research, students gain an understanding of the risk factors for chronic diseases such as cancer and how infectious diseases, such as Zika, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, spread and evolve.

Visit the Milken Institute School of Public Health website for additional information about academic programs and information about GWSPH. Graduate admissions information, including application requirements and deadlines, can be found on the GWSPH Graduate Admissions website.

The following requirements must be fulfilled: 36 credits, including 9 credits in required core courses, 21 credits in required concentration-specific courses, 4 credits in elective courses, and 2 credits in consulting/thesis.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
Core courses (9 credits)
PUBH 6080	Pathways to Public Health
PUBH 6850	Introduction to SAS for Public Health Research
PUBH 6851	Introduction to R for Public Health Research
PUBH 6852	Introduction to Python for Public Health Research
PUBH 6860	Principles of Bioinformatics
PUBH 8870	Statistical Inference for Public Health Research I
Applied biostatistics concentration-specific requirements (21 credits)
PUBH 6862	Applied Linear Regression Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 6864	Applied Survival Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 6865	Applied Categorical Data Analysis
PUBH 6866	Principles of Clinical Trials
PUBH 6879	Propensity Score Methods for Causal Inference in Observational Studies
PUBH 6887	Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis for Public Health Research
PUBH 8871	Statistical Inference for Public Health Research II
Electives
4 credits in elective courses. See Program Guide for suggested options.
Consulting, research, and thesis
2 credits taken as follows:
PUBH 6869	Principles of Biostatistical Consulting (1 credit)
PUBH 6898	Master of Science Thesis (1 credit)