Master of Public Health - Biostatistics

Program Overview

The MPH in Biostatistics at UB is a 46 to 47-credit hour program, typically completed over two years for full-time students. It combines foundational public health coursework with a rigorous concentration in biostatistics. The program emphasizes the application of statistical techniques to identify the causes of diseases and injuries, analyze their consequences, and evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and treatment programs. Students engage in a field training experience, providing practical, hands-on experience in a public health or healthcare setting, and culminate their studies with a capstone project.

CEPH Accredited: Yes, the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo is fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools and programs of public health. This accreditation is a hallmark of quality, ensuring that the MPH program meets rigorous standards for public health education and preparing graduates for diverse roles in the field. Graduates of CEPH-accredited schools are also eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential.

Curriculum: The 46-47 credit curriculum for the MPH in Biostatistics integrates core public health knowledge with specialized biostatistical training. Foundational MPH courses cover principles of epidemiology, introduction to statistical inference and applied statistics, environmental health, the biological basis of public health, study of health behavior, and introduction to health care organization. The biostatistics concentration delves deeper into statistical methods, statistical computing, and topics like clinical trials, statistical genetics, or machine learning through electives. A required field training experience provides practical application of learned skills, and the program culminates in a culminating project that demonstrates mastery of public health and biostatistics competencies.

Research Focus: The MPH in Biostatistics at UB has a strong research focus, particularly on applied statistical methods in public health and biomedical research. Faculty within the Department of Biostatistics are actively engaged in diverse research areas, including statistical computing, Bayesian modeling, statistical modeling in cancer genomics and computational biology, big and high-dimensional data analysis, and statistical analyses in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. Students are trained to use statistical techniques to identify disease causes, evaluate public health programs, and design mathematical models for disease progression. Opportunities exist for students to collaborate with faculty on ongoing research projects, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis and scientific inquiry.

Industry Engagement: The MPH in Biostatistics program at UB is highly focused on preparing graduates for direct entry into the workforce in various public health and healthcare settings. Graduates are sought after by local and state health departments, federal government agencies (including the CDC), research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, and managed care organizations. The program's emphasis on applied statistical methods, data management, and the ability to communicate findings effectively with diverse audiences, directly aligns with the needs of these employers. The required field training experience provides crucial real-world exposure and networking opportunities.

Global Perspective: The MPH in Biostatistics at UB inherently fosters a global perspective by providing skills applicable to public health challenges worldwide. Statistical reasoning is a universal tool for understanding disease patterns, evaluating interventions, and informing health policies across diverse populations and international contexts. The curriculum and faculty research may involve global health issues, given that public health problems such as infectious disease outbreaks, chronic disease burdens, and health disparities often transcend national borders. As a major public research university, UB attracts a diverse international student body, enriching the learning environment with varied cultural viewpoints and different approaches to addressing global health challenges. The program aims to train professionals who can leverage data analysis to support and improve public health decisions on a global scale.