Master of Biostatistics

Program Overview

The Master of Biostatistics program, offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia, provides students with specialized skills in drawing conclusions from health-related research. Delivered mostly online, the 1.5-year program covers statistical theory, data analysis, and research methods, with practical experience gained through workplace research placements. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in medical research, epidemiology, and other health-related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Master of Biostatistics program is a 1.5-year full-time or part-time equivalent program offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA) and delivered mostly online. The program aims to provide students with the specialized skills needed to draw useful conclusions from health-related research.

Objectives:

• Learn from leading teachers and biostatisticians Australia-wide
• Study statistical theory and methods
• Apply learning to problems in professional practice
• Build career skills through workplace research placements

Program Description:

The Master of Biostatistics is a postgraduate degree designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of biostatistics principles and their application to health-related research. The program covers topics such as statistical theory and methods, data management and analysis, and biostatistical research methods. Students will also have the opportunity to apply their learning through practical experience in workplace research placements.

Outline:

Content:

• Statistical theory and methods
• Data management and analysis
• Biostatistical research methods
• Workplace research placements

Structure:

• 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
• Start dates: February and July
• Location: North Terrace Campus
• Delivered mostly online

Course Schedule:

Year 1

• Semester 1: Epidemiology, Data management and Statistical Computing, Principles of Statistical Inference, Regression Modelling for Biostatistics I, Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics
• Semester 2: Regression Modelling for Biostatistics II, Biostatistics Research Project A

Year 2

• Semester 1: Biostatistics Research Project B
• Semester 2: Electives

Individual Modules:

• Epidemiology (BIOSTATS 6000): Introduction to epidemiology, principles of disease surveillance, and methods for studying the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events.
• Data management and Statistical Computing (BIOSTATS 6002EX): Data management and statistical computing principles and applications, including data collection, cleaning, and analysis using statistical software.
• Principles of Statistical Inference (BIOSTATS 6005EX): Principles of statistical inference, including probability theory, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals.
• Regression Modelling for Biostatistics I (BIOSTATS 6020EX): Regression modelling principles and applications in biostatistics, including linear regression, logistic regression, and analysis of variance.
• Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics (BIOSTATS 6019EX): Mathematical foundations for biostatistics, including matrix algebra, calculus, and differential equations.
• Regression Modelling for Biostatistics II (BIOSTATS 6021EX): Advanced regression modelling principles and applications in biostatistics, including generalized linear models, nonlinear regression, and mixed models.
• Biostatistics Research Project A (BIOSTATS 6009): Research project on a biostatistical topic under the supervision of a faculty member.
• Biostatistics Research Project B (BIOSTATS 6010): Continuation of the research project from Biostatistics Research Project A.
• Electives: Students can choose from a range of elective courses, including:
• Design of Randomised Controlled Trials (BIOSTATS 6004EX)
• Statistical Genomics (BIOSTATS 6011EX)
• Longitudinal & Correlated Data (BIOSTATS 6012EX)
• Bayesian Statistical Methods (BIOSTATS 6014EX)
• Health Indicators & Health Surveys (BIOSTATS 6015EX)
• Clinical Biostatistics (BIOSTATS 6016EX)
• Machine Learning (BIOSTATS 6017EX)
• Causal Inference (BIOSTATS 6018EX)

Assessment:

• Project work
• Written assignments
• Practical work

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Practical classes
• Online learning
• Faculty:
• Leading teachers and biostatisticians from Australia
• Unique Approaches:
• Workplace research placements
• Collaboration with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA)

Careers:

• Medical and epidemiological research
• The pharmaceutical industry
• Government departments and agencies
• PhD and other higher degree research programs

Potential Careers:

• Medical Research
• Epidemiologist
• Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Scientist
• Biotechnology
• Biotechnology Engineer
• Statistician
• Biostatistician