Biostatistics PhD Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin

Applicants to the Biostatistics PhD program will have ideally have…

• Completed an undergraduate degree in mathematics or closely related field
• Completed courses in advanced calculus, matrix/linear algebra and scientific programming with a minimum grade of B in each. Those who have not done so may be considered for admission and, if admitted, must complete these requirements during the first year of study.
• A strong interest in Biostatistics and biomedical applications
• An overall grade point average of 3.0 or better
• A 3.0 grade point average or better in mathematics and science
• Scores in the 80th percentile or higher on the Quantitative component of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is preferred. Our Institution Code is 1519.
• Applicants who studied overseas or via an online U.S.-based institution are required to take a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and make arrangement for an official score report to be sent directly from ETS to the MCW School of Graduate Studies. A TOEFL score is 100 or higher or a band score of 6.0 or higher on the IELTS is ideal. Our Institution Code is 1519.

Each year we will select 2-3 highly qualified students interested in furthering knowledge and research skills in Biostatistics.

How To Apply
The MCW Graduate School operates on a rolling admissions basis. However, applications accepted by the priority application deadline of January 15^th will receive first priority for admission the following Fall. Students are admitted once per year. Part time students may be admitted in any semester. However, financial support from the Medical College of Wisconsin is not available for part time students.

Biostatistics PhD Program Sample Plan (PDF)

Graduate Programs in Biostatistics Student Handbook (PDF)

Preliminary Examination
Upon completion of the first year of the study, the student will be given a written preliminary examination in August of the first academic year. This examination will be organized and administered by the graduate studies committee. The exam will consist of two parts - Applied Statistics and Theory of Statistics. The applied part will cover Statistical Models and Methods I, II and III, Clinical Trials, and Biostatistical Computing and Data Management and possibly Applied Survival Analysis or Applied Bayesian Analysis. The theory part will cover the materials from Statistical Inference I & II. This will be a standard divisional exam, and evaluation will be done by the whole faculty. The criteria for evaluation will be based on student's understanding and competency in basic principles and foundations of biostatistics, and his/her potential for conducting independent research in statistical methods and applications. If a student does not pass this exam, he/she will have a second opportunity to take it in January of the second academic year. The preliminary examination will be offered every January and August by the Division. The student must pass this examination to continue in the PhD program.

Readings & Research
The student is required to take BIOST 295 Readings & Research for 3 credit hours each with two different members of the faculty. Typically, this is done in the first two summers and in the process of selecting a dissertation topic and advisor.

Qualifying Examination
Upon successful completion of the preliminary exam and the required biostatistics courses (usually at the end of the third year), the student will be given a qualifying examination. This examination is tailor-made for each student, and it is organized, administered and evaluated by his/her advisory committee. The evaluations will be based on student's in-depth understanding and competency in advanced topics in biostatistics, and his/her ability and maturity to apply the knowledge earned from the course-work in doing meaningful research. The exam consists of two parts. The first part will be an oral examination testing the student's general statistical knowledge at the advanced level. The second part consists of writing a dissertation proposal and presenting it to the division. This proposal must be approved by his/her advisory committee. A student not passing either part of the exam may be given another chance to retake that part within three months of the first attempt. Students passing this exam will be admitted to PhD candidacy.

Paper Submission

The student is required to submit at least one methodology paper to peer reviewed journals. The paper must address statistical methodology and be from the thesis. The student mist provide a proof of paper submission for the thesis committee before the final examination.

Final Examination
The PhD candidate must submit a dissertation representing an original research contribution. It must show high attainment and clear ability to carry out independent biostatistics research of publishable quality. The final oral examination will be administered by his/her advisory committee after the student has completed all other formal requirements for the PhD degree. It will be a public defense of the dissertation. The student also will be expected to demonstrate a good understanding of materials relevant to the general field in which the dissertation is written. The student's advisory committee will evaluate the performance of the student in the dissertation defense.

Dissertation Research Requirements
The student begins his/her dissertation research during the third year. The initial step consists of identifying a topic that is of mutual interest to the student and a member of the faculty who serves as the dissertation advisor. Courses, talks and presentations by the faculty assist the student in this process. After a literature survey and a clearer definition of the scope of the research under the direction of the advisor, the student submits a written proposal and presents it orally to the advisory committee. During the conduct of the dissertation research the advisory committee meets periodically to monitor the student's progress. Upon completion of the proposed research the student submits the dissertation and defends it in a public presentation.

The dissertation must be an original contribution to scientific knowledge. It can involve development of new statistical methodologies, evaluation of existing methodologies and study of their properties, innovative application of existing methodologies, or any combination of the above. The dissertation should be of publishable quality in peer reviewed journals in biostatistics or statistics.

Required Courses

• BIOE 10222 Ethics and Integrity in Science (1 credit)
• BIOE 10444 Research Ethics Discussion Series (1 credit)
• BIOS 04214 Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials (3 credits)
• BIOS 04220 Research Seminar (1 credit)
• BIOS 04221 Biomedical Applications and Consulting (3 credits)
• BIOS 04222 Statistical Consulting (3 credits)
• BIOS 04224 Biostatistical Computing (3 credits)
• BIOS 04231 Statistical Models and Methods I (3 credits)
• BIOS 04232 Statistical Models and Methods II (3 credits)
• BIOS 04233 Introduction to Statistical and Machine Learning (3 credits)
• BIOS 04275 Applied Survival Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOS 04285 Introduction to Bayesian Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOS 04295 Reading and Research (1-9 credits)
• BIOS 04313 Advanced Statistical Computing (3 credits)
• BIOS 04363 Advanced Statistics I  (3 credits)
• BIOS 04365 Linear Models I  (3 credits)
• BIOS 04384 Statistical Genetics (3 credits)
• BIOS 04385 Advanced Bayesian Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOS 04386 Theory of Survival Analysis (3 credits)
• BIOS 04399 Doctoral Dissertation (1-9 credits)
• BIOS 04231/MTHSTAT 761* Mathematical Statistics I (3 credits)
• BIOS 04232/MTHSTAT 762* Mathematical Statistics II (3 credits)
• BIOS 24150 Bioinformatics in Omics Analysis (3 credits)

*Courses taken at UW-Milwaukee

Elective Courses (graduate-level non-biostatistical courses)

• BIOETH 201 – Medical Ethics (2 credits)
• BIOETH 222 – Ethics and Integrity in Science (2 credits)
• BIOETH 232 – Ethics, Policy and Genetic Technology (2 credits)
• BIOPHYSICS 215 – Medical Physics (1 credit)
• CELLBIO 150 – Introduction to Cell Biology (1 credit)
• CELLBIO 152 – Human Development (1 credit)
• CELLBIO 207 – Introduction to Neuroscience (2 credits)
• EPI 201 – Clinical Epidemiology (3 credits)
• EPI 256 – Research Methods in Epidemiology (3 credits)
• EPI 272 – Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Disease (1 credit)
• EPI 274 – Cancer Epidemiology
• PHARM 202 – Survey of Pharmacology (3 credits)
• PHY 202 – General Human Physiology (6 credits)
• PHY 285 – Mathematical Biology (3 credits)

Additional elective courses from MCW, Marquette University, and UW-Milwaukee are available for students

If you have questions regarding tuition or your account, please contact the Office of Student Accounts, at (414) 955-8172 or mcwtuition@mcw.edu. Please refer to the All Student Handbook (PDF) for tuition payment policies and information.

• Tuition and Fees Schedule
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PhD Students
All full-time PhD degree-seeking students in good academic and professional standing receive the following financial support package:

• Full tuition coverage
• Yearly stipend $32,633/year (2022-2023 academic year)
• Complimentary health insurance

There is no additional process to secure this package aside from accepting an offer of admission. Further, this package is guaranteed from the time of enrollment through completion of degree requirements.

Current MCW Employees
Tuition Course Approval Form - Human Resources (PDF)

Late Fees
There is a $250 late payment fee for tuition not paid on time according to the Tuition Payments policy in the All Student Handbook (PDF).

Visit the Biostatistics PhD Program Faculty page to learn more about our faculty members