Department of Biostatistics

Introduction

The Department of Biostatistics in the Gillings School of Global Public Health is recognized as a worldwide leader in research and practice. The B.S.P.H. in biostatistics provides highly qualified undergraduates with a curriculum consisting 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 strong, with previous students employed in a variety of fields including public health, pharmaceuticals, and medicine. This undergraduate program is believed to be the first undergraduate degree in biostatistics in the country.

Advising

The academic coordinator and director of undergraduate studies advise biostatistics undergraduates. Undergraduate students are encouraged to meet regularly with these advisors and review their Tar Heel Tracker each semester. Departmental academic advising is particularly important for those students who are considering proceeding to graduate school, pursuing a second major, or pursuing the dual B.S.P.H.–M.S. degree. Further information may be obtained through the departmental website.

Facilities

The Department of Biostatistics has a student library, a student study room, and computer facilities for its students.

Graduate School and Career Opportunities

In recent years, the majority of undergraduate biostatistics students from this program have chosen to attend medical school or graduate school in biostatistics (or other closely related fields) following graduation. More than 65 percent of recent graduates have entered medical school or graduate programs (primarily biostatistics) immediately following graduation. Recent graduates are attending top-ranked medical schools at Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia, Duke University, and UNC–Chapel Hill. Biostatistics graduate programs where students have matriculated immediately following completion of this undergraduate program include the University of Washington–Seattle, Harvard, UNC–Chapel Hill, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Michigan.

Previous graduates who chose to seek employment have taken positions in the pharmaceutical industry, contract research organizations (CROs), and medical settings. Examples of employers of recent graduates include Duke Clinical Research Institute, Blue Cross Blue Shield, IQVIA, Rho, PPD, National Institutes of Environmental Health Science, and Research Triangle Institute. Traditionally, career opportunities have been outstanding for skilled biostatisticians.

Major

• Biostatistics Major, B.S.P.H.

Courses

• Biostatistics (BIOS)

Professors

Kevin Anstrom, Jianwen Cai,  David J. Couper, Michael G. Hudgens, Joseph G. Ibrahim, Anastasia Ivanova, Gary G. Koch, Michael R. Kosorok, Yun Li, Danyu Lin, Feng-Chang Lin, Yufeng Liu, James Stephen Marron, Jane Monaco, Andrew B. Nobel, John S. Preisser, Bahjat Qaqish, Todd Schwartz, Richard Smith, Daniela T. Sotres-Alvarez, Xianming Tan, Kinh N. Truong, Haibo Zhou, Hongtu Zhu, Fei Zou.

Associate Professors

Jamie L. Crandell, Tanya Garcia, Annie Green Howard, Quefeng Li, Michael Love, Naim Rashid, Bonnie Shook-Sa, Di Wu, Baiming Zou.

Assistant Professors

Didong Li, Xihao Li, Yusha Liu, Ivana Malenica, Kara McCormack, Lina Montoya, Bryce Rowland, David Zhang, Beibo Zhao.

Adjunct Professors

Haoda Fu, Eric Laber, Sean Simpson, Wei Sun, William Valdar, Clarice Weinberg, Xiaojing Zheng, Donglin Zeng, Richard Zink.

Adjunct Associate Professors

Matthew Psioda, Shanshan Zhao.

Adjunct Assistant Professors

Marcella H. Boynton, Luiz Carvalho, Nikki L.B. Freeman, Charles Pepe-Ranney, Zhengwu Zhang.

Adjunct Instructors

Jane Eslinger, Kinsey Helton, Marcus Herman-Giddens, Jeff Laux, Vincent Toups.

Professors Emeriti

Robert Agans, Shrikant Bangdiwala, Lloyd E. Chambless, Clarence E. Davis, James E. Grizzle, Ronald W. Helms, William D. Kalsbeek, Lawrence L. Kupper, Lisa M. LaVange, Keith E. Muller, Michael J. Symons.