After completing this degree, the student should be able to: 

1. Identify and develop appropriate statistical designs for biomedical research studies; 
2. Identify and perform an appropriate statistical analysis of biomedical data to address a given research question;  
3. Proficiently apply specialized computer software to manage and analyze biomedical data and summarize/interpret results; 
4. Write a statistical analysis and results sections for a manuscript as part of a research team; 
5. Describe and develop mathematical and statistical theory underlying biostatistical methods; 
6. Develop and evaluate new and existing statistical methodology as part of a research team. 

All students enroll in a set of core courses that cover biostatistical theory and applications. At the end of the first year, students take a two-day written screening exam assessing mastery of these topics. Students then choose from one of four tracks that will allow them to develop expertise in a specific area: 

• Biostatistics Theory 
• Statistical Genetics 
• Environmental Statistics 
• Clinical Trials 

Students then take all remaining core and track-specific courses in preparation for the qualifying examination. The qualifying exam focuses on the student’s dissertation topic and includes both a written and oral component. Subsequent efforts are devoted to dissertation research and culminate in the PhD defense. A minimum of 60 units of graduate study is required for the PhD degree; a maximum of 19 of these units may be from research and dissertation.