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 fully online. You will:
- learn from leading teachers and biostatisticians Australia-wide
- study statistical theory and methods
- benefit from online learning to study where you want, when you want
- apply your learning to problems in professional practice
- build career skills through workplace research
- choose from a range of elective courses to deepen your specialist expertise.
Where could it take you?
You’ll emerge fully qualified for accreditation. 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:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
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 bca@adelaide.edu.au to arrange an appointment with the program co-ordinator. |
Selection Criteria
| Higher Education Study | A completed four-year degree or equivalent. |
|---|
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: $34,500
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
FEE-HELP
This is an Australian full-fee program. As a domestic student you may be eligible to:
- receive a zero interest government assistance package to cover your course fees and
- use over $100,000 in HELP assistance over your lifetime
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
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 Master of Biostatistics 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
Professional Accreditation
The BCA programs are accredited by the Statistical Society of Australia. Students who graduate with a Graduate Diploma or Master of Biostatistics will, on joining the Statistical Society of Australia, be eligible to apply for accreditation as a Graduate Statistician, giving an edge in employment possibilities. Details of the process can be found on the SSA website.
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Epidemiologist; Statistician; Biostatistician; Medical Researcher; Clinical Studies Coordinator; Bioinformatician; Data scientist
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 18 units
2. Elective courses to the value of 12 units
3. Research courses to the value of 6 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 9 or 12 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 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 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 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: Friday, 4 Oct 2024
