Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Biostatistics
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Biostatistics at UB is a 30-credit hour program that can be completed within a full-time study period of 1.5 to 2 years. It provides flexibility through a thesis option, allowing students to engage in original research, or a master's project requirement, providing a strong applied focus. The program is specifically designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of statistical methods and their applications, with opportunities to work closely with faculty on various research topics. Students are also required to complete a practical training project, offering hands-on experience in real-world data analysis.
STEM Designated: Yes, the M.A. in Biostatistics program at the University at Buffalo is STEM-designated. This is a crucial benefit for international students, as it qualifies them for a 24-month extension to their Optional Practical Training (OPT), totaling up to 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation. This designation highlights the program's strong quantitative and analytical foundations, essential for careers in data-driven health sciences.
Curriculum: The 30-credit curriculum for the M.A. in Biostatistics at UB emphasizes a solid grounding in statistical theory and methods relevant to public health and biomedical sciences. Applicants are expected to have a strong background in mathematics or statistics, including at least three semesters of advanced calculus. The program's coursework covers topics such as statistical inference, applied statistics, statistical computing, and specialized areas like statistical genetics and data mining. While the core focuses on foundational statistical concepts, electives allow for deeper dives into areas like categorical data analysis, clinical experiments, multivariate data analysis, and survival analysis. The program culminates in a practical training project and a written paper that is presented and defended.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Biostatistics at UB has a significant research focus, aiming to provide students with opportunities to work closely with faculty members on methodological, theoretical, and applied research projects. The Department of Biostatistics is dedicated to cutting-edge research in statistical methods for health-related fields. Research areas include, but are not limited to, statistical computing, Bayesian modeling, statistical modeling in cancer genomics and computational biology, big and high-dimensional data analysis, and dimension reduction techniques. Students often collaborate with various departments and schools throughout the university, as well as with community partners like Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, providing exposure to real-world research challenges.
Industry Engagement: The M.A. in Biostatistics program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct entry into the workforce across various sectors that utilize statistical expertise in health. Graduates are well-prepared for roles as collaborative researchers in health research institutes, government agencies (e.g., CDC, NIH), international non-governmental organizations, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare companies, or as consultants with contract research organizations and consulting firms. The program's emphasis on practical training and hands-on data analysis ensures students gain valuable, marketable skills directly relevant to industry demands.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Biostatistics at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing health challenges that are universal and often require international collaboration. The application of biostatistical methods is crucial for understanding disease patterns, evaluating public health interventions, and analyzing diverse population health data on a global scale. Faculty members in the Department of Biostatistics engage in international health research projects, including those focused on global health issues like infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and chronic illnesses in various countries. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and approaches to global health and statistical problems.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
Graduates with an M.A. in Biostatistics from UB are well-equipped for a variety of roles that leverage strong statistical and analytical skills in health and related fields.
Biostatistician: Design studies, analyze data, and interpret results for medical, public health, and biological research, often in academic, government, or pharmaceutical settings.
Data Analyst (Clinical/Health): Collect, clean, and analyze healthcare data to identify trends, evaluate interventions, and support evidence-based decision-making.
Statistical Programmer: Develop and maintain statistical programs and software for data analysis in clinical trials, epidemiological studies, or public health research.
Clinical Research Associate/Coordinator (with statistical focus): Assist in the design and execution of clinical trials, focusing on data management and statistical aspects.
Epidemiologist (Quantitative): Apply statistical methods to study the distribution and determinants of disease in populations, contributing to public health surveillance and intervention.
Health Outcomes Researcher: Analyze health data to assess the effectiveness, safety, and economic impact of healthcare interventions and policies.
Public Health Analyst: Use statistical data to monitor public health trends, evaluate programs, and inform public health policy at local, state, or national levels.
SAS Programmer/Analyst: Utilize SAS (Statistical Analysis System) software to perform data management, statistical analysis, and reporting in pharmaceutical or clinical research organizations.
Research Associate (Biomedical): Support research projects in academic or industry settings by performing statistical analysis, data visualization, and contributing to scientific publications.
Consultant (Biostatistics): Provide specialized statistical expertise and guidance to various clients, including pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and government agencies, on study design and data analysis.
