Biostatistics and Epi Questions

[Music333]

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What kinds of math courses are needed for biostatistics (other than the obvious stats)? And is there much of a difference between a MS and a MPH in biostats?

For those of you in epi, do you plan on stopping at the master's level or are you eventually going for the PhD? I think I like epi more than biostats, but it seems like there are only a few opportunities for a MPH in epi (and I'm not interested in obtaining a PhD).

Thanks!

 

[ratonlaveur]

I think the difference between a MS and MPH is usually pretty slim - the MS curriculum requiring slightly more science/research-oriented courses and the MPH curriculum more general public health courses.

 

[208808]

In general, I think the MS is more theories and methods, while the MPH involves curriculum from othe PH disciplines. At least this is how it is at Columbia.

I'm pursuing my MPH in Epi and I will go for a Doctorate, I'm just not sure that it will be in Epi. I think there are a lot of opps for Epi MPHs...what are you interested in doing?

 

[kurly]

In general, I think the MS is more theories and methods, while the MPH involves curriculum from othe PH disciplines. At least this is how it is at Columbia.

This is true for the MS in Epi program at U Washington as well. I wish more schools offered an MS option.

 

[swemory2007]

This is true for the MS in Epi program at U Washington as well. I wish more schools offered an MS option.

I agree, although I am finishing up my MPH in Epi at UW and have tailored my curriculum almost as if I were completing an MS by taking many biostats classes that are cross listed with Epi for my electives. In addition, because of the MPH requirements, I also have taken two health services classes, one environmental class, and two global health seminars, and completed a Practicum. While some see this as extra work that is not necessary (especially if you know you are going to be continuing on for a doctorate), I felt it enhanced my learning experience.

 

[xscpx]

I'm combining the two to give myself the most options career-wise. Also, the dual concentration courses on designing clinical trials and survey analysis and stuff. I think it would be very beneficial for me is why I went this route.

here is the program
http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/epibiomph.html


As far as the MS, I was told its pretty much a waste of time to go that route. There isn't much differentiation in terms of employers looking at the degree. (This is why my advising committee said at least)

 

[Music333]

How important is calculus in biostatistics? I was looking at the difference in MPH and MS at one school, and the MPH only needed one semester of calc whereas MS needed 3.

I'm pursuing my MPH in Epi and I will go for a Doctorate, I'm just not sure that it will be in Epi. I think there are a lot of opps for Epi MPHs...what are you interested in doing?

I'd be interested in studying autoimmune diseases. (I have one myself, and it's why I'm not going the PhD route)

Thanks for all the input!

 

[kurly]

How important is calculus in biostatistics? I was looking at the difference in MPH and MS at one school, and the MPH only needed one semester of calc whereas MS needed 3.

Not sure which school you looked at, but the UW Epi program site specifically says that calculus is not required for the core biostats courses. I suppose requirements may differ for a degree program in biostats.

 

[208808]

It's always good to hear someone interested in studying something other than HIV/AIDS, Cancer, or CVD (no disrespect to those who have a genuine interest in that research) But there are limitations when you're interested in doing research in diseases that don't receive much funding. It's been a struggle for my trying to get into sickle cell research for that very reason. The opportunities are very limited. I would suggest that you try to connect with anyone who may be doing some research w/ autoimmune diseases. Building a network and finding a mentor in that area is really important.

 

[Music333]

The opportunities are very limited. I would suggest that you try to connect with anyone who may be doing some research w/ autoimmune diseases. Building a network and finding a mentor in that area is really important.

Should I just contact some of the schools I'm interested in and see if they have a focus on autoimmune diseases?

As far as epi goes, I'm really worried about job opportunities. I don't want to spend money on a Master's and then end up with a $30k job. And on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, it says that there is keen competition even for those with doctoral degrees, so how is a MPH supposed to compete with that?

 

[Music333]

Sorry, I have one more question. What kinds of extracurriculars should I be doing for biostats and/or epi?
Currently I'm a RA in a psych lab and volunteering at a MR/DD home, as well as a couple other clubs. I'm going to try to see if I can help out in a biostats or epi lab over the summer, but I can't spend too much time doing so if I'm not getting a stipend (I need money!).

 

[abcabc1]

What kinds of math courses are needed for biostatistics (other than the obvious stats)? And is there much of a difference between a MS and a MPH in biostats?

For those of you in epi, do you plan on stopping at the master's level or are you eventually going for the PhD? I think I like epi more than biostats, but it seems like there are only a few opportunities for a MPH in epi (and I'm not interested in obtaining a PhD).

Thanks!

Biostatistics graduate schools look for a minimum of three semesters of Calculus (one of them being multivariate) and a course in Linear Algebra. I haven't seen too many of them requiring a basic Statistics course or two from College, but most programs are very strict about the 3rd semester of Calculus and course in Linear Algebra.

The Biostatistics MS is much better than the MPH, as it's more advanced and focus on Biostatistics (and wastes less time with the general coursework involved in many MPH programs). Some schools (i.e. Emory) only have the MPH in Biostatistics, but it is equivalent to an MS from other schools.

You can find employment with an MPH in Epi, but I'd feel more confident taking on the job market with an MS (or equivalent MPH) in Biostatistics than an MPH in Epi.

 

[Music333]

^Yeah, that's what I figured. Although I like stats, math is not my strongest area. So I don't think I'd do well in calc 2 or 3, especially since my last calc class was a couple years ago. And I think I'd be happier in epi, so I'll just hope for the best...

 

[Stories]

You can find employment with an MPH in Epi, but I'd feel more confident taking on the job market with an MS (or equivalent MPH) in Biostatistics than an MPH in Epi.

Perhaps because of the numbers game. There aren't that many folks out there in biostat.

However, there are more jobs out there which are useful with a epi degree. Every level of academic health research needs epi people, every level of city, county, state, federal government is looking for epidemiologists, research firms are looking for good minds in epi. There's no shortage of epi jobs out there.

The epi degree is the PH degree you have least to worry about.

 

[abcabc1]

Perhaps because of the numbers game. There aren't that many folks out there in biostat.

However, there are more jobs out there which are useful with a epi degree. Every level of academic health research needs epi people, every level of city, county, state, federal government is looking for epidemiologists, research firms are looking for good minds in epi. There's no shortage of epi jobs out there.

The epi degree is the PH degree you have least to worry about.

Both fields (Epi and Biostats) are in demand and graduates with solid training in both fields are well positioned. To be honest, I don't really think of Biostats as fitting 100% into the Public Health domain, b/c it's so much more weighted on the Math side than the Science side. Epi is a nice mix of Math and Science (lighter on the Math and heavier on the Science than Biostats), whereas Biostats is basically all Math/Stats. Biostats can be used within the realm of PH, but I think it's less 'pure' PH than some of the other Departments (Epi, Global Health, etc).

 

[abcabc1]

^Yeah, that's what I figured. Although I like stats, math is not my strongest area. So I don't think I'd do well in calc 2 or 3, especially since my last calc class was a couple years ago. And I think I'd be happier in epi, so I'll just hope for the best...

You'd be surprised. I've done poorly on the pure Math (Linear Algebra, Calculus 3) side and well on the Statistics side. From my view, the Statistics side is more practical and applied whereas the pure Math is a bit more theoretical and visual, making it harder to understand (at least from me). I wouldn't let difficulty with Multivariate Calc and or Linear Algebra keep you from pursuing Biostats, if that's your interest.

Epi and Biostats are quite different. There is a lot more Science and Medicine in Epi than Biostats, which is much more Math/Stats oriented than Epi.

 

[Stories]

Both fields (Epi and Biostats) are in demand and graduates with solid training in both fields are well positioned. To be honest, I don't really think of Biostats as fitting 100% into the Public Health domain, b/c it's so much more weighted on the Math side than the Science side. Epi is a nice mix of Math and Science (lighter on the Math and heavier on the Science than Biostats), whereas Biostats is basically all Math/Stats. Biostats can be used within the realm of PH, but I think it's less 'pure' PH than some of the other Departments (Epi, Global Health, etc).

Epi and BS are both "less public health" than the other disciplines simply because the two are the research tools utilized in all health-based research. You need a BS person to do the statistics for you in every single public health, clinical trial, people-based biomedical research, and you need a epi person to setup the studies themselves.

Either way, both disciplines are fantastic.