Master of Biostatistics
Apply your expertise in health
Have a knack for numbers? Interested in statistics and health science?
Biostatisticians collect, interrogate, interpret and communicate data. They provide the specialised skills needed to draw useful conclusions from health-related research.
What will you do?
Our Master of Biostatistics is offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA) and delivered mostly online. You will:
- learn from leading teachers and biostatisticians Australia-wide
- study statistical theory and methods
- apply your learning to problems in professional practice
- build career skills through workplace research placements.
Where could it take you?
You’ll emerge fully qualified for registration. You could work for a pharmaceutical or biotech company. You’ll be in high demand in medical and epidemiological research, and government departments and agencies. Perhaps you’ll help design and execute world-changing clinical trials while sharing your knowledge as a university teacher.
To find out more about the BCA program, visit the BCA website.
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Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 3CM028 |
|---|---|
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
| Additional Entry Requirements | Applicants are required to meet an acceptable standard in Maths Proficiency. The selection process also considers qualifications/experience in a relevant field and includes an interview with the Program Coordinator. Applicants must contact the School of Public Health on 8313 4619 to arrange an appointment with the program co-ordinator. |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | A completed four-year degree or equivalent. |
|---|
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Admissions Transparency Data
Student Profile
Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023 Number of students Percentage of all students International students N/A N/A All students 4 100.0%
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Australian Full-fee place
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
Scholarships
These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.
Careers
Career Readiness
The Master of Biostatistics will allow you to develop a specialist career role in health-related research or health services. Biostatistical expertise is in very high demand in many areas. Possible job settings include:
- Medical and epidemiological research
- The pharmaceutical industry
- Government departments and agencies
The Masters degree also provides a great grounding for PhD and other higher degree research programs.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Graduate Attributes
The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.- Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
- Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Professionalism and leadership readiness
- Intercultural and ethical competency
- Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
- Digital capabilities
- Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Potential careers
Medical Research, Epidemiologist, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Scientist, Biotechnology, Biotechnology Engineer, Statistician, Biostatistician
Degree Structure
To qualify for the degree of Master of Biostatistics, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study consisting of the following requirements with a combined total of not less than 36 units, comprising:
1. Core courses to the value of 15 units
2. Elective courses to the value of 12 units
3. Research courses to the value of 9 units comprising the capstone for this program
Please note: While a full time load of four courses per semester is technically possible, BCA recommends a load of two courses:
- Four courses per semester: 1.5 years
- Two courses per semester: 3 years
Academic Program Rules
The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.
Example Study Plan
| Year level 1 | |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | BIOSTATS 6000 Epidemiology BIOSTATS 6002EX Data management and Statistical Computing BIOSTATS 6005EX Principles of Statistical Inference BIOSTATS 6020EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics l BIOSTATS 6019EX Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics |
| Year level 2 | |
| Core Courses | BIOSTATS 6021EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics ll BIOSTATS 6009 Biostatistics Research Project A BIOSTATS 6010 Biostatistics Research Project B |
| Electives | To satisfy the requirements for Elective Courses students must complete courses to the value of 12 units. Courses to the value of at least 9 units from the following: BIOSTATS 6004EX Design of Randomised Controlled Trials (3 units) BIOSTATS 6011EX Statistical Genomics (3 units) BIOSTATS 6012EX Longitudinal & Correlated Data (3 units) BIOSTATS 6014EX Bayesian Statistical Methods (3 units) BIOSTATS 6015EX Health Indicators & Health Surveys (3 units) BIOSTATS 6016EX Clinical Biostatistics (3 units) BIOSTATS 6017EX Machine Learning (3 units) BIOSTATS 6018EX Causal Inference (3 units) and/or Courses to the value of up to 3 units that are available to them from the following: PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology PUB HLTH 7081 Health Economics PUB HLTH 7091 Knowing What Works – Evaluation for Public Health PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment COMP SCI 7212 Human and Ethical Factors in Computer Science COMP SCI 7317 Using Machine Learning Tools MATHS 7027 Mathematical Foundations of Data Science Or other postgraduate coursework courses available to them, as deemed eligible by the Program Coordinator. |
Assessment
Project work, written assignments and practical work.
Related Degrees
Testimonial
The most exciting thing about the Master of Biostatistics is learning specialised skills from top biostatisticians in Australia which help us advise investigators on planning medical research effectively, from the early stages to implementation.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated: Tuesday, 19 Sep 2023
