• Biostatistics uses statistical data to analyze and research disease.rising graph image by Mats Tooming from Fotolia.com
  
  Biostatistics is the research and application of statistical data relating to disease. This discipline combines biomedical and clinical sciences with statistical theories. Graduate degrees are offered at the master and doctoral level, however a Ph.D.--Doctor of Philosophy degree--is necessary to conduct independent research or work within post-secondary academic institutions. These Ph.D. programs are usually available through schools of public health or medicine.
  
  

University of California-Berkeley

• The Interdepartmental Group in Biostatistics at the University of California in Berkeley offers graduate degrees combining coursework from its Department of Statistics and School of Public Health. The Ph.D. program is designed for individuals who hold a master's degree in biostatistics. The curriculum consists of courses in statistics, biostatistics and the choice of another discipline, such as environmental health, epidemiology or biology, in addition to completing a dissertation. Students may choose to concentrate on Computational and Genomic Biology or Computational Science & Engineering. Many graduates of this program obtain careers in research and teaching within academic facilities.
  
  University of California, Berkeley
  101 Haviland Hall
  Berkeley, CA 94720
  510-642-3241
  berkeley.edu
  
  

University of Michigan

• The School of Public Health at the University of Michigan (UM) provides the Ph.D. program in biostatistics, which incorporates statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, electives, qualifying examinations and a dissertation. Research areas include computational statistics, cancer, bioinformatics, genetics and brain imaging. The Department of Biostatistics works on research projects with the UM Institute of Social Research and Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry. Graduates of the Ph.D. program have pursued research and teaching careers within academic institutions such as Duke University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and North Carolina State University.
  
  Department of Biostatistics
  School of Public Health
  University of Michigan
  1420 Washington Heights
  Ann Arbor, MI 48109
  734-764-5450
  umich.edu
  
  

The University of Pennsylvania

• The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine offers the Ph.D. in biostatistics program, which incorporates computing science, epidemiology and biology. The curriculum provides a foundation of statistical and health sciences and a minor in biomedical science. Students within the program are required to serve as a teaching assistant for a minimum of one semester, participate in the Biostatistics Consulting Workshop and complete a dissertation or Ph.D. thesis. Students may be enrolled full-time or part-time. The school's 11 research facilities specialize in areas such as pharmacoepidemiology, therapeutics and genetics.
  
  University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
  8th Floor, Blockley Hall
  423 Guardian Drive
  Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021
  215-898-5300
  upenn.edu