PhD Biostatistics

Concentration: Biostatistics (BST)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health
Delivery: Traditional

Biostatistics involves the development and application of statistical techniques to scientific research in health-related fields, including medicine, biology, and public health. From the beginning of the 20th century, the field of biostatistics has been at the quantitative core of efforts to improve health and reduce illness. Biostatisticians play indispensable roles in designing studies and analyzing data as diverse as the testing new drugs to combat AIDS, evaluating interventions to reduce drug and alcohol addiction, determining risk factors for heart diseases, regulating environmental hazards, and protecting food safety. Today biostatistics is becoming the backbone of informatics to process massive data that are generated on an unprecedented scale.

The PhD program provides advanced training and research opportunities in statistical theory, biostatistical methods, and their applications in a wide spectrum of fields including epidemiology, mental health prevention, environmental health, clinical trials, and health services research. With a curriculum that is both interdisciplinary and adaptive to individual student needs and interests, the program prepares students for a career as a methodologists in academia, government, industries, and health care organizations.

PhD Progression Policy

Know the progression policy for the PHD and DRPH.

Program of Study

If you have questions on your program, please contact the Doctoral Training Office at cophdoctoral@usf.edu. 

Current students may access their Degree Works planner from my.usf.edu or OASIS. Students may view their current progress in Archivum at usf.appiancloud.com/. (See Archivum instructions.). If you are not a current student, or want to view program requirements from a different catalog year please use these sources:  

• 2024/25 USF Catalog PhD Planner or COPH catalog section

• 2023/24 USF Catalog PHD section (pg. 795)

• 2022/23 USF Catalog PHD section (pg. 808)

• 2021/22 USF Catalog PHD section (pg. 786)

• 2020/21 USF Catalog PHD section (pg. 795)

• Any prior year please view the USF Graduate Catalog Archives 

There may be circumstances in which a student may need to change their catalog year. This must be initiated through a discussion with your academic advisor. Details regarding USF policy on changing catalog year can be found in the Student’s Major Degree Requirements section of the USF Graduate Catalog’s Academic Policies.