WHAT IS BIOSTATISTICS?

Biostatistics activity spans a broad range of medical and biological science. Some areas include epidemiology, public health, statistics in medical research, disease prevention and care, health education, health care systems, bioinformatics, statistical genetics, environmental toxicities and sanitation.

WHAT DO BIOSTATISTICIANS DO?

Biostatisticians work closely with experts in the fields of biological and health sciences on collaborative research studies. They also focus on methods of research, developing and implementing models to help describe biological processes and behavior. Also important is the biostatistician's responsibility to ensure that the proper techniques for planning and conduct in statistical studies are being carried out. It is the biostatistician's job to design, analyze, and interpret the results from these studies.

Students interested in biostatistics should have a strong background in statistics and an interest in applying statistics to a medical field. Prospective graduate students come from a variety of backgrounds, including biological and social sciences. Students interested in the Biostatistics option at UNM should include BIOMED 588 Biostatistics I and STAT 474/574 Biostatistics Methods: Survival Analysis and Logistic Regression in their coursework. Students should consult their Statistics faculty advisor for more information.

WHERE WOULD I WORK?

Careers for biostatisticians are in industries such as phamaceuticals, medical research and instrumentation firms , hospitals, and govenment centers such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , and many more. The field of biostatistics is enjoying a very high level of interest from both the public and private sector. Students with a BS, MS or Ph.D. have been in high demand in recent years. For more information on career opportunities, check out the American Statistical Association and the Epidemiology Virtual Library for information regarding employment opportunities.