The Masters of Arts Degree in Biostatistics is completed in four semesters. Candidates for this degree are expected to complete 40-48 units with courses selected from biostatistics and statistics, public health, and biology. At least 12 units and must be completed in the 200 series of courses in the major subject area (this includes both Biostatistics and Statistics courses). An oral comprehensive examination is administered at the end of the two year program. All students take the Statistics 200AB series and the PH 240A-D series of courses. Students are expected to enroll for all four semesters of the program.
 
Students pursuing an MA degree in Biostatistics will be expected, upon completion of the program, to be well-versed in the following areas:

• Fundamental statistical methods, including statistical estimation, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, analysis of variance and longitudinal data.
   
  
• Algorithms and computer applications.
   
  
• Analysis of multivariate data -- categorical and continuous -- with particular emphasis on epidemiology.
   
  
• Interpretation of survival analysis data and issues, including knowledge of life table methodology, competing causes of death, medical follow-up studies, parametric models and nonparametric methods.
   
  
• Computational biology methods including gene mapping, microarray data analysis and other topics in genomics.
   
  
• Methods of analysis using vital and health statistics, census data, rates and adjusted rates.
   
  

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The examination for the MA degree is designed to test a candidate's breadth of understanding and knowledge and the ability to articulate and explain the basic concepts gained from the curriculum. The examination committee consists of three faculty members representing both Biostatistics and Statistics. Candidates are asked to select three topics and write a description of each. Topics are presented during the exam period of 90 minutes. Examiners are free to ask for clarification or elaboration through requests for more background, detail or examples. Alternatively, a thesis may be submitted to fulfill requirements though the decision to submit a thesis rather than take the oral examination must be made early in the final semester of the program.
 
The Group in Biostatistics has produced 170 MA graduates. Some students pursuing the MA intend to go on for a Ph.D. but many others take research, statistical and analytical positions in federal agencies, state and local health departments, health care delivery organizations and private industry. After a period of employment, some former MA students elect to resume study toward a Ph.D. Although readmission is not automatic, the application procedure to reenter the program for the Ph.D. is a simple one. Reentry applicants are considered for readmission along with the pool of new applicants to the program.