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University of Minnesota: Division of Biostatistics

The Division of Biostatistics focuses on the development of statistical methods for biomedical research. We collaborate with University research partners on projects involving HIV/AIDS, heart and lung disease, cancer, neuroimaging, and many other clinical disciplines. Performing methodological research in areas including Bayesian analysis, spatial statistics, statistical genetics, and causal inference, division faculty, students, and staff are involved in more than 100 research grants and contracts totaling more than $150 million.

Find us on Twitter at @umnbiostat and on Facebook.

Website

Programs offered

The Division of Biostatistics offers three degree programs: the Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Student body profile

Biostastistics students in both the Masters and PhD programs are immersed in the division, assisting on high-impact national and international research projects, supporting the Division’s course offerings, and conducting their own research. Our students work closely with faculty advisers; with a student-to-faculty ratio that is one of the lowest among leading Biostatistics programs, students are able to get the training and personal attention they need to maximize their potential.

Students are actively involved in organizing both academic and social activities. The Student Seminar Series provides an opportunity to present and discuss work in progress, practice presentations for upcoming conferences, and learn new computing skills. Student seminars are typically closed to faculty.

Funding opportunities

All Ph.D. students are guaranteed full funding for 5 years, consisting of a 20-hour/week research or teaching assistantship which covers tuition and health insurance and offers an annual stipend of approximately $24,000. Ph.D. students also receive an allowance of $600 per year to attend scientific conferences. Funding is not typically guaranteed to students admitted to the Masters program, but in recent years we have succeeded in finding assistantships for the majority of our Masters students (and almost all our second-year Masters students). Alliance scholars may be eligible for the Diversity of Views and Experiences (DOVE) Fellowship offered by the University of Minnesota Office of Diversity in Graduate Education, which covers the first year of tuition and stipend without a work requirement. The School of Public Health's Office for Admissions and Student Resources administers several other scholarship programs, and is pro-active about trying to locate additional funding sources for incoming students.

More information

Our website

Contact for more information:

  • Julian Wolfson

Email:
  • julianwumn.edu

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