Master of Biostatistics (MBiostat)
Master of Biostatistics (MBiostat)
Program Code
MBST
Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Academic Year
2025
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
This program is offered in conjunction with the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA). The program is delivered largely through distance mode. Although students will enrol at the University of Adelaide, some courses will be delivered by partner Universities within the BCA.
The selection process considers qualifications / experience in a relevant field and includes an interview with the Program Director.
The Master of Biostatistics is an AQF Level 9 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 1.5 years or a standard part-time duration of 3 years.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of epidemiological study design and the theory and application of the major areas of biostatistics relevant to professional practice.
- Demonstrate skills in complex statistical analyses to handle a variety of practical problems using modern statistical techniques and software.
- Demonstrate skills in data collection and data management, including database design, quality control procedures and the ethical handling of data.
- Demonstrate skills to identify the relevant statistical issues in practical problems in medical/health settings and to propose and implement an appropriate statistical design and/or analysis methodology.
- Demonstrate skills and experience in communication of biostatistical issues with clinical/health personnel and the presentation of statistical results in a format suitable for publication in health-related journals or professional reports.
- Display technical skills required to read methodological papers in the biostatistical literature and apply the methods described therein to practical problems.
- Display practical and technical skills required to commence professional careers as independent biostatisticians and/or to progress to further postgraduate research studies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of conduct and ethical standards such as those of the Statistical Society of Australia.
- Demonstrate problem solving abilities in biostatistics, characterised by flexibility of approach.
Conditions
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Master of Biostatistics
There shall be a Master of Biostatistics.
Qualification Requirements
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:
- Core courses to the value of 15 units
- Research project to the value of 9 units
- Elective courses to the value of 12 units
Core Courses
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Core Courses
To satisfy the requirements for Core Courses students must complete courses to the value of 15 units.
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOSTATS 6000 Epidemiology 3 BIOSTATS 6002EX Data Management and Statistical Computing 3 BIOSTATS 6005EX Principles of Statistical Inference 3 BIOSTATS 6019EX Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics 3 BIOSTATS 6020EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics I 3 -
Research Project
To satisfy the requirements for Research Project students must complete courses to the value of 9 units.
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOSTATS 6009 Biostatistics Research Project A 3 BIOSTATS 6010 Biostatistics Research Project B 3 BIOSTATS 6021EX Regression Modelling for Biostatistics II 3
Electives
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Elective Courses
To satisfy the requirements for Elective Courses students must complete courses to the value of 12 units.
Courses to the value of at least 6 units from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value BIOSTATS 6004EX Design of Randomised Controlled Trials 3 BIOSTATS 6011EX Statistical Genomics 3 BIOSTATS 6012EX Longitudinal & Correlated Data 3 BIOSTATS 6014EX Bayesian Statistical Methods 3 BIOSTATS 6015EX Health Indicators & Health Surveys 3 BIOSTATS 6016EX Clinical Biostatistics 3 BIOSTATS 6017EX Machine Learning 3 BIOSTATS 6018EX Causal Inference 3 and
Courses to the value of up to 6 units may be taken from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7028 Infectious Disease Epidemiology 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 PUB HLTH 7147OL Health Technology Assessment 3 or
Courses to the value of up to 6 units may be taken from the following:
Any other postgraduate coursework course available to the student, as deemed eligible by the Program Director.