Biostatistics -- FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the M.S. and the M.P.H. degrees?

Admission and basic curriculum requirements for both degrees are the same, but the M.P.H. requires additional coursework in the Public Health Core, as well as a practicum. As a result the M.P.H. program may take longer to complete. Generally, the M.S. degree is recommended because employers in biostatistics are usually seeking graduates with the M.S. degree, and the M.S. also provides an easier transition into a Ph.D. program.

What are my career prospects?

Job prospects for biostatistics graduates are excellent, with career opportunities in university research facilities and pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Typical starting salaries range from US$45,000 to $70,000 for master's graduates, and from US$75,000 to US$125,000 for doctoral graduates.

Recent Biostatistics graduates of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health have gone on to work at such places as Eli Lilly, Harvard University, the Mayo Clinic, National Institutes of Health, and 3M Pharmaceutical.

For more information, check out Career Services.

Do I have the right background to be eligible for the program?

Even if your undergraduate degree is not in math or statistics, if you meet our academic requirements and have had the prerequisite coursework, you are eligible for the program. If your undergraduate degree is not in mathematics or statistics, it is especially important that you have done the required work in mathematics (linear algebra and mathematics through multivariable calculus), have taken an applied statistics course, and have had a course in computing (preferably FORTRAN or C).

What if I haven't taken the prerequisite courses?

It is feasible to be admitted to the program without some of the prerequisite courses, although students are expected to make them up within the first year of study. The math prerequisites are particularly important, and many applicants are turned down for because of insufficient math training. To discuss any lack of prerequisites with the chair of the Admissions Committee, email bstadmit@umn.edu.

How do I apply?

To allow sufficient time for processing, applicants should submit materials by Dec. 15 for admission in September of the following year. All applications that arrive before Dec. 15 compete for the first round of offers of admission and financial aid.

• Application information and downloadable forms

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid, usually in the form of graduate research and teaching assistantships (which carry an annual salary and cover tuition and health insurance expenses), is awarded to students competitively based on academic record and GRE scores. Ten to 15 graduate assistantships are available each year for new students.

What if I don't meet the minimum GPA or GRE requirements?

We do occasionally admit students who do not meet our preferred performance level. It is highly unlikely you will be admitted if you do not meet any of the preferred academic performance requirements, but strength in one area (e.g., high undergraduate GPA in math courses) can outweigh less-than-required performance in another (e.g., low score on the analytic part of the GRE).

How many new students are admitted each year and how many total students are in the program?

We usually admit 40 percent to 55 percent of our applicants and our incoming classes usually total between 20 and 30 students. For 2007-2008, there are a total of 69 students in our degree programs: 45 MS, four MPH, and 20 PhD. Thirteen MS and seven PhD students are new this academic year.

How do I register to take the standardized tests for admission?

Find test times, dates, and registration forms for the GRE at www.gre.org or by calling Educational Testing Services (ETS) at (609) 771-7670. Most applicants take the computerized version, which provides us with an official score from the ETS within 10-15 days after the exam date. Applicants applying for 2008 admission consideration should have their GRE and/or TOEFL test scores sent directly to SOPHAS (the Schools of Public Health centralized application center) - Institution code: 5688. Information for the TOEFL is available at www.toefl.org.

What are the average GPA and GRE scores of students admitted to the program?

For the 2007-2008 academic year, average undergraduate GPA was 3.6 and average GRE scores were 584 (verbal), 772 (quantitative), and 764/4.4 (analytic).

What are my options if I am admitted and do not receive financial aid?

Many of our students whom we cannot support financially have successfully obtained graduate assistantships in other departments at the University. The Medical School, in particular, has many openings for student research assistants to work on current medical research studies. These assistantships carry the same salary and tuition benefits as those awarded in our own department. Financial aid is also available through the University's general financial aid program. Information on federal student loans can be obtained at either the University of Minnesota's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid or the United States Department of Education's direct loan program.

Must I be a full-time student?

Not necessarily, although the nature of the program makes part-time study more difficult. Currently, we have part-time MS and PhD students. Graduate School limits on degree completion are seven years for the MS and five years for the PhD.

For more information:

Admissions Chair: Wei Pan, Ph.D.	(612) 624-4655 or (800) 774-8636 bstadmit@umn.edu
Director of Graduate Studies: Melanie Wall, Ph.D.	(612) 625-2138 or (800) 774-8636 bstdgs@umn.edu
Major Chair for the M.P. H. Program: Lynn Eberly, Ph.D.	(612) 624-4655 or (800) 774-8636 eberl003@umn.edu
Major Coordinator: Sally Olander	(612) 625-9185 or (800) 774-8636 brown198@umn.edu

Web: Biostatistics Web Site