The Master of Biostatistics is a 3 semester (1.5 year) program of study requiring a total of 72 units of credit of which 7 courses (42 units of credit) are required, 3 courses are electives (18 units of credit). There is a project requirement (for 12 units of credit). Students may enrol full-time or part-time.

Biostatistics is the development and application of statistical science to research in health-related fields, including medicine, biology, public health and epidemiology. The field of biostatistics has become indispensable in improving health and reducing illness. Biostatisticians play essential roles in designing studies, analyzing data and creating methods to attack research problems as diverse as:

The science of Biostatistics is critical for the correct design of medical trials and obtaining ethics approval for their conduct. It is also essential in genetic research particularly in discovering key genetic mechanisms occurring in disease processes. The degree of Master of Biostatistics is internationally recognised and graduates from high quality programs are in high demand in industry and government, particularly by pharmaceutical companies and drug regulators as well as medical investigators and public health researchers and policy groups. A strong demand for biostatisticians in Australia and the neighbouring regions is expected. The program will provide advanced coursework training in biostatistical theory and methods using an on-campus delivery mode with a significant project component.

The Department of Statistics at UNSW is one of the leading statistical Departments in Australia. Staff cover a range of areas of research in statistical science and stochastic processes. Several staff have particular expertise, experience and research interests in biostatistical work and collaborate directly with key groups on campus or associated hospitals. In particular there is ongoing collaboration with the Centre for Health Informatics, the Injury Risk Management Research Centre, the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, medical researchers at the St George Hospital and in the School of Medical Sciences at UNSW, and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Collaboration occurs across a wide range of areas, including applications of biostatistical methodology to clinical trials, observational studies, microarrays and related technologies. For further information on the teaching staff and their research interests see the research groups.

The program is oriented towards graduates with a degree in an area with a significant quantitative component (such as Mathematics, Statistics, Science, Engineering, Finance, Economics, Actuarial science, Psychology, Epidemiology or Bioinformatics), who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in statistical and computational methods appropriate to biostatistics. It is an appropriate program for graduates who wish to work as biostatisticians. The program draws on contributions from specialists in Statistics and Public Health at UNSW as well as relevant UNSW Research Centres and Hospitals for which Biostatistics is essential.

Students will learn the key theories and their application in a variety of modes including class room instruction at an advanced level, project work within the various required and elective courses, interaction with researchers in relevant discipline areas and transfer of knowledge especially in computer methods and software package use and project preparation and presentation via teamwork. Course based individual and group assignments and presentations, individual and group computer project work and data analysis, course mid-session tests and final exams and preparation of a substantial report.

Students with a prior undergraduate major or minor in Statistics of sufficient standard can enter the program directly. Students with sufficient prior knowledge in mathematics but without adequate prior knowledge in Statistics can enter the program but it will be recommended that they take MATH5846 and MATH5856 in their first semester of enrolment. Prior completion of undergraduate mathematics in algebra, linear algebra, calculus including multivariable calculus, introduction to sequences and series and a first course in applied statistics should provide sufficient background for students without a minor or major in Statistics.

Exemption and/or advanced standing may be approved by a program authority for a course already completed as part of another award at UNSW or another university.

After Semester 1 students may choose not to graduate from the Master of Biostatistics and instead apply to transfer to either the Graduate Diploma in Statistics or Master of Statistics Program provided the rules of admission into those degrees are satisfied. Students who initially satisfied the criteria for the Master of Biostatistics Program but enrolled into the Graduate Diploma in Statistics or Master of Statistics Program may transfer to the Master of Biostatistics Program after Semester 1. The Program Authority may approve transfer of credit for students who wish to transfer to the Master of Biostatistics Program from either the Graduate Diploma in Statistics or Master of Statistics.

Entry to the Program is available in Semester 1 only. The program consists of ten courses, each of 6 Units of Credit and a project of 12 Units of Credit. The possibility to take some courses in other Schools at UNSW or at other Universities exists with the approval of the Head of School of Mathematics and Statistics.

The total number of Units of Credit required for graduation: 72. The Project has 12 UOC. Unless otherwise stated, all courses listed below have 6 UOC and consist of two hours of lectures and one hour of flexible tutorial or laboratory per week.

Required Project (12 UOC):

A minimum of 18 units of credit from the following Elective Courses (or other courses approved by Head of School).

A non-exhaustive list of elective courses is given below. It is advised that students consult the Biostatistics Program Coordinator about the choice of courses and their order:

Students may choose not to graduate from the Graduate Certificate in Statistics and instead apply to upgrade to either the Master of Biostatistics provided their average grade in two compulsory courses is at least 65%.

The project provides an opportunity to specialise in a particular area of Biostatistics and to develop research capability. The candidate presents a typed project report, in the layout of an article, along with an oral presentation summarising the main points. A convenient room equipped with computing facilities is available for students working on their projects.

Recent examples of master's projects (the projects listed below were completed within the Master Program in Statistics but had a biostatistics orientation):

For the convenience of part-time and full-time students, we teach classes typically from 17:30 to 20:00 on weekdays during semester. In some cases where more than one class is to be held, classes may be taught from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.

All coursework masters programs at UNSW are fee-paying. Australian residents, eligible for HECS will be able to apply for means tested HECS scholarship for coursework master programs. The Master of Biostatistics program is included in this scholarship scheme. This means that it will remain fee-paying, but students who meet the criteria will pay on a HECS basis. The fee schedule can be found on the web page of the Faculty of Science.

Dr Donna Mary Salopek
School of Mathematics and Statistics
University of New South Wales
Sydney 2052 Australia
Phone: (02) 9385 7030
Fax: (02) 9385 7123

Inquiries via e-mail must be sent to pg.MathsStats@maths.unsw.edu.au