Biostatistics Major, B.S.P.H.

Biostatistics is a discipline concerned with the improvement of human health through the application and advancement of statistical science. The B.S.P.H. biostatistics curriculum consists of a strong mathematical foundation; advanced coursework in statistical applications, theory, and computing; and an understanding of the public health sciences.

The undergraduate major in biostatistics prepares students to apply quantitative methods to design studies, implement methods, analyze data, and interpret results across a range of disciplines. The degree provides an excellent foundation for continued studies (primarily graduate school in biostatistics, statistics, data science, or medical school). The job market for B.S.P.H. biostatistics graduates is outstanding, with previous students employed in a variety of fields including public health, pharmaceuticals, and medicine.

Admission to the program is required.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the biostatistics program, students should be able to:

  1. Perform descriptive and inferential data analyses to answer varied research questions (BIOS 500H)
  2. Interpret data analysis results for a variety of audiences (BIOS 500H)
  3. Use software appropriately in data collection, data management, and analysis (BIOS 511)
  4. Demonstrate the use of elementary statistical theory including the use of basic concepts of probability, random variation and common statistical probability distributions (BIOS 650)
  5. Demonstrate strong quantitative skills through the successful completion of  calculus, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics (MATH 233, MATH 347, and MATH 381)

Through the Public Health Core coursework, all B.S.P.H. biostatistics students also meet the Public Health CEPH competencies including:

  • Communicate public health information, in both oral and written forms, through a variety of media and to diverse audiences
  • Locate, use, evaluate and synthesize public health information
  • Describe health inequities, identify their root causes at multiple levels of the social ecological framework, and discuss approaches to advancing health equity

Prerequisite Courses Required for Admission

MATH 231IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F4
MATH 232IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F4
MATH 233IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F4
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
COMP 116Introduction to Scientific Programming3
or COMP 110 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science
Total Hours19
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

Admission

The Gillings School of Global Public Health offers four undergraduate majors: biostatistics, environmental health sciences, health policy and management, and nutrition. The undergraduate degree offered is the bachelor of science in public health (B.S.P.H.). Enrollment in the B.S.P.H. degree programs is limited, and students must apply for admission. Students typically apply in January of their sophomore year for admission beginning in the fall of their junior year.

For current UNC–Chapel Hill students, the initial step of B.S.P.H. application is available in ConnectCarolina under the "Apply for Majors Change" tab.  For additional information on application deadlines and how to apply, please visit the Public Health Undergraduate Majors website.

Transfer students interested in any of the B.S.P.H. degree programs must apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions using the Transfer Common application.

For high school seniors, our four majors participate in the Assured Enrollment program through Undergraduate Admissions. Assured enrollment programs guarantee students a spot in an undergraduate major within one of Carolina’s professional schools or a spot in an accelerated undergraduate/graduate program. For additional information, please visit Undergraduate Admissions: Special Opportunities.

Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to the Gillings School of Global Public Health; consequently, the requirements described in this catalog particularly apply to students admitted to Gillings during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Requirements

In addition to the program requirements listed below, students must:

  • attain a final cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0
  • complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
  • take at least half of their major course requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
  • earn a C (not C-) or better in all prerequisite, core, and additional courses required for the major

For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.

Core Requirements
Public health core courses:
SPHG 351Foundations of Public Health3
SPHG 352Public Health Systems and Solutions4
EPID 600Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health3
Biostatistics courses:
BIOS 500HIntroduction to Biostatistics3
BIOS 511Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management4
BIOS 645Principles of Experimental Analysis3
BIOS 650Basic Elements of Probability and Statistical Inference I3
BIOS 664Sample Survey Methodology4
BIOS 668Design of Public Health Studies3
BIOS 691Field Observations in Biostatistics1
Additional Requirements
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory 1, H, F
4
COMP 110IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science 1, H3
or COMP 116 Introduction to Scientific Programming
MATH 231IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 1, H, F4
MATH 232IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F4
MATH 233IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of Several Variables 1, H, F4
BIOL 103IDEAs in Action General Education logo How Cells Function F3
or BIOL 104 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Biodiversity
MATH 381Discrete Mathematics H3
or STOR 215 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Decision Sciences
MATH 347Linear Algebra for Applications3
MATH 521Advanced Calculus I H3
or MATH 528 Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I
Total Hours62
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

1

Required before matriculation into the program

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
First-Year Foundation Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary)
3
First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F 3
Triple-I and Data Literacy 4
Global Language through level 3 varies
Major Courses
BIOL 101
101L
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Principles of Biology
and IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F
4
MATH 231 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F 4
MATH 232 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F 4
Hours 23
Sophomore Year
COMP 110
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Programming and Data Science H
or Introduction to Scientific Programming
3
MATH 233 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F 4
Hours 7
Junior Year
Fall Semester
BIOS 500H Introduction to Biostatistics (fall only) 3
BIOS 511 Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management (fall only) 4
MATH 381
Discrete Mathematics H
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Decision Sciences
3
SPHG 351 Foundations of Public Health 3
EPID 600 Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health 1 3
Hours 16
Spring Semester
BIOS 645 Principles of Experimental Analysis (spring only) 3
MATH 521
Advanced Calculus I H
or Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I
3
SPHG 352 Public Health Systems and Solutions 4
BIOL 103
IDEAs in Action General Education logo How Cells Function F
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo Biodiversity
3
Hours 13
Senior Year
Fall Semester
BIOS 650 Basic Elements of Probability and Statistical Inference I (fall only) 3
BIOS 691 Field Observations in Biostatistics (fall only) 1
MATH 347 Linear Algebra for Applications 3
Hours 7
Spring Semester
BIOS 664 Sample Survey Methodology (spring only) 4
BIOS 668 Design of Public Health Studies (spring only) 3
Hours 7
Total Hours 73
H

Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply.

F

FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute.

1

EPID 600 strongly recommended in the junior year, but may be taken in the senior year. 

Special Opportunities in the Department of Biostatistics

Dual Bachelor’s–Master’s Degree Program

Undergraduate students with appropriate math and biostatistics backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue a dual bachelor’s–graduate degree. This dual B.S.P.H.–M.S. program identifies a coherent course of study for students to complete some of the M.S. degree requirements in biostatistics while pursuing a B.S.P.H. degree with a major in biostatistics. More information is available on the department website.

Honors in Biostatistics

The Department of Biostatistics offers an honors program in which undergraduates can pursue individualized study and undertake a research project in their senior year. Students who have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher are eligible to participate in honors research and write an honors thesis. Faculty members’ readiness to guide the students in their honors work governs the final selection of those allowed to enter the program. Students completing an honors thesis must register for BIOS 693H and BIOS 694H.

Experiential Education

The required course, BIOS 664, fulfills the experiential education Gen Ed requirement in the Making Connections curriculum. In addition, students are required to take BIOS 691 (usually during the fall semester of the senior year). This course consists of an orientation to and observation of six or more major nonacademic institutions in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park area that employ biostatisticians, including contract research organizations and nonprofit companies. BIOS 691 does not fulfill the General Education experiential education requirement.

Laboratory Teaching Internships and Assistantships

Students are encouraged to investigate part-time employment during the academic year and full-time employment during the summer after their junior year with members of our faculty and their collaborators on current research and service projects.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to participate in the University’s study abroad programs in the summers or before matriculating to the B.S.P.H. in biostatistics program. Identification of a study abroad program early in the student’s career is necessary for course planning purposes.

Undergraduate Awards

The Theta Chapter of Delta Omega honors one student among  the department’s graduates with an award of excellence. Awards are presented in the spring as part of the biostatistics awards ceremony. Among the recent graduates, a notable proportion of students have been inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

Undergraduate Research

Students are encouraged to consider doing senior honors research and should consult individual faculty members for opportunities. However, some students choose to take advantage of the myriad part-time employment opportunities with our faculty members on their research and service projects or opportunities within nearby Research Triangle Park.

Department of Biostatistics

Visit Program Website

3103 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB# 7420

(919) 966-7256

Chair

Michael G. Hudgens

Program Director

Jane Monaco

monaco@email.unc.edu