Main Content

PhD - Biostatistics and Data Science

Lead the Future of Health Research

The PhD in Biostatistics & Data Science prepares graduates to lead cutting-edge research and serve as expert collaborators in the design, analysis, and interpretation of complex biomedical, clinical, and population health studies. By combining advanced training in statistics, computer science, and epidemiology, the program equips students to turn data into discoveries that improve health.

Choose from Three Areas of Emphasis

After completing two years of broad doctoral training, students pursue dissertation research in one or more of the following areas:

• Biostatistics – develop new statistical methods to improve the analysis of biomedical and population health data

• Bioinformatics & Genomics – use high-throughput biological data to investigate the molecular and environmental basis of health and disease

• Data Science – apply computer science, predictive analytics, machine learning, and data visualization to transform large datasets into actionable evidence

Hands-On Training with Real Research Impact

In addition to coursework and dissertation research, students gain practical experience through supervised consulting and internships. The program also offers opportunities to work with high-quality data and respected researchers connected to major NIH-supported studies, including the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

What Graduates Will Be Prepared to Do

Graduates of the program will be able to:

• Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret biomedical, clinical, and population health data

• Use R, SAS, Stata, and Python to explore data, fit models, conduct inference, and communicate findings

• Work with large genetic, bioinformatics, and other complex datasets

• Apply machine learning and other data science methods to real-world health questions

• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines and communicate results clearly

• Lead advanced methodological, genetic epidemiological, and data science research

Prepare for High-Impact Careers

The PhD in Biostatistics & Data Science prepares graduates for leadership roles in academia, healthcare, government, industry, and research organizations. For students who want to advance discovery, develop new methods, and improve health through data, this program offers a strong path forward.