The Ph.D. Program in Statistics: Biostatistics Track

The Graduate Program in Statistics offers the program Ph.D. in Statistics: Biostatistics Track (formerly Ph.D. in Statistics with Emphasis in Biostatistics) as a subspecialty. Applicants must have completed the course requirements (or their equivalents) for the Master's degree in Statistics and at least one semester of advanced calculus.

Biostatistics may be understood as the application of statistical methods in the biological, medical, agricultural and environmental sciences, as well as the study of statistical methodology concerning problems and statistical areas originating from such scientific fields.

This subspecialty builds on a strong and diversified Statistics program, and an environment of highly regarded programs in Biological Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, and Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, as well as the School of Medicine at UC Davis. Areas of interest of current Statistics program faculty in Biostatistics include Bayesian Methods in Biostatistics, Bioassay, Bioinformatics, Curve Data in the Life Sciences, Diagnostic Tests, Longitudinal Studies, Multivariate and Nonparametric Methods in Biostatistics, Observational Studies, Stochastic Modeling for the Life Sciences, Survival Analysis, Statistical Methods in Aging, Demography, Environmental Science, Epidemiology, Genetics, Nutrition, Medicine and Health Care Research, and Time Series Analysis in Biostatistics.

Students who wish to enroll into the Biostatistics Track program are encouraged to enroll as early as possible. Enrollment may be declared anytime prior to the Ph.D. Qualifying Exam. The enrollment must be announced in writing by sending an informal letter to the Chair of the Biostatistics Subspecialty Standing Committee, with copies to: Chair of the Graduate Program of Statistics, Graduate Adviser and Statistics Graduate Administrator.

On the Ph.D. diploma, transcripts and the first title page of the Ph.D. thesis, the program will still be denoted as “Statistics”. Completion of this program will be recognized in two ways. (i) On the second title page of the Ph.D. thesis the program may be denoted as “Ph.D. in Statistics: Biostatistics Track.” (ii) A letter from the Program Chair will further recognize completion of the program.

For more information about the requirements, please visit the degree requirements section.