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    Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Augusta University Graduate and Professional Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Augusta University Graduate and Professional Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Biostatistics


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About the Program

The doctoral program prepares students to understand the mathematical and theoretical basis of statistical methodology; collaborate on the design of research studies in the health sciences; provide advice on the proper collection, entry, storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data; and take primary responsibility for the analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data in a research study using state-of-the-art statistical methods and software. Doctoral students are also prepared to carry out original methodological research in statistics and apply the resulting methodology to health-related research problems.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the PhD program will be qualified for employment in academic research institutions in medicine, nursing, dentistry, allied health, public health, and the laboratory sciences; academic institutions providing training in statistics or biostatistics; in the pharmaceutical and other biotech industries; and in local, state, and national government agencies.

Financial Support

Students accepted into the program will be considered for Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA), which includes financial support and a reduced tuition rate of $25/semester, and single-person health insurance coverage through the Student Group Health Insurance plan. A limited number of GRA packages will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants with exemplary qualifications.

Admissions Requirements

Please see the Office of Academic Admissions website for specific admissions information: http://www.augusta.edu/admissions/graduate/phd-biostatistics.php

For more information about the The Graduate School and the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology visit http://www.augusta.edu/mcg/biostatepi/.

Other Requirements

All students must attend departmental and other research seminars and meetings that are relevant to their biostatistics training.
Students must publicize the results of their research through seminars, conference presentations, and/or articles in refereed (peer-reviewed) journals.
Students with graduate assistantships are required to work with a faculty supervisor as Research or Teaching Assistants.
Comprehensive Examination
Research Proposal Defense
Final Oral Exam (Dissertation Defense)

Doctor of Philosophy in Biostatistics Curriculum


The Ph.D. program is designed to be completed in 4-5 years. The curriculum for the program includes (1) formal coursework, (2) preliminary and comprehensive exams, and (3) original research conducted under the supervision of a faculty mentor that leads to a successfully defended dissertation, as specified by the policies of the Department of Biostatistics and the School of Graduate Studies.

First Year


Second Year


Semester Two (Spring)


Semester Three (Summer)


No summer courses required. Enrolling in STAT 8890 is optional (without summer funding).

Third Year


Semester Two (Spring)


  • STAT xxxx Elective- credit hours: 3
  • STAT xxxx Elective- credit hours: 3
  • 1st attempt Comp Exam: 2nd and 3rd weeks in January

    2nd attempt Comp Exam: 2 weeks before end of semester

Semester Three (Summer)


No summer courses required. Enrolling in STAT 8890 is optional (without summer funding).

Fourth Year


Semester One (Fall)


Semester Two (Spring)


Semester Three (Summer)


Fifth Year


Total Hours for the Degree: 127-133


 Note:

  • The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is not lock-step; students do not graduate as a class at the end of the specific semester.
  • The maximum duration of the program is 7 years.
  • STAT 9300 - Dissertation Research must be taken every semester after admission to candidacy until dissertation requirements are met.