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:
- Perform descriptive and inferential data analyses to answer varied research questions (BIOS 500H)
- Interpret data analysis results for a variety of audiences (BIOS 500H)
- Use software appropriately in data collection, data management, and analysis (BIOS 511)
- Demonstrate the use of elementary statistical theory including the use of basic concepts of probability, random variation and common statistical probability distributions (BIOS 650)
- 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 231 | 
Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 |
Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| MATH 233 |
Calculus of Functions of Several Variables H, F | 4 |
| BIOL 101 & 101L |
Principles of Biology and
Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | 3 |
| or COMP 110 |
Introduction to Programming and Data Science | |
| Total Hours | 19 | |
| 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 2023–2024 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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Public health core courses: | ||
| SPHG 351 | Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| SPHG 352 | Public Health Systems and Solutions | 4 |
| EPID 600 | Principles of Epidemiology for Public Health | 3 |
| Biostatistics courses: | ||
| BIOS 500H | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIOS 511 | Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management | 4 |
| BIOS 645 | Principles of Experimental Analysis | 3 |
| BIOS 650 | Basic Elements of Probability and Statistical Inference I | 3 |
| BIOS 664 | Sample Survey Methodology | 4 |
| BIOS 668 | Design of Public Health Studies | 3 |
| BIOS 691 | Field Observations in Biostatistics | 1 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| BIOL 101 & 101L | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory 1, H, F | 4 |
| COMP 110 | Introduction to Programming and Data Science 1, H | 3 |
| or COMP 116 | Introduction to Scientific Programming | |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I 1, H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F | 4 |
| MATH 233 | Calculus of Functions of Several Variables 1, H, F | 4 |
| BIOL 103 | How Cells Function F | 3 |
| or BIOL 104 | Biodiversity | |
| MATH 381 | Discrete Mathematics H | 3 |
| or STOR 215 | Foundations of Decision Sciences | |
| MATH 347 | Linear Algebra for Applications | 3 |
| MATH 521 | Advanced Calculus I H | 3 |
| or MATH 528 | Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
| 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. |
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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.
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundation Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or 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 | Principles of Biology and Introductory Biology Laboratory H, F | 4 |
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F | 4 |
| MATH 232 | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II H, F | 4 |
| Hours | 23 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| COMP 110 or COMP 116 | Introduction to Programming and Data Science H or Introduction to Scientific Programming | 3 |
| MATH 233 | 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 or STOR 215 | Discrete Mathematics H or 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 or MATH 528 | Advanced Calculus I H or Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences I | 3 |
| SPHG 352 | Public Health Systems and Solutions | 4 |
| BIOL 103 or BIOL 104 | How Cells Function F or 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. |
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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
3103 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, CB# 7420
(919) 966-7256
Chair
Lisa Lavange
