Doctor of Philosophy

The PhD program equips students with knowledge and skills to develop and apply statistical methodology to the fields of healthcare and life sciences. Our PhD program empowers students to become experts in developing and utilizing statistical methods for medical research and health sciences, through modern didactic coursework and real-world team science. Graduates of our PhD program obtain rewarding career opportunities in academia, pharmaceuticals, government agencies, and healthcare institutions. Graduates can also influence healthcare policy, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the understanding of complex biological processes, making a significant impact on public health.

  • Degree Requirements
    • Earn 72 total credits
      • 8 core courses and associated labs, if any
      • 9 or more elective courses and associated labs, if any
      • BIOS 8999 (Non-candidate Research)
      • BIOS 9999 (PhD Dissertation Research)
    • Fulfill the responsible conduct of research requirement
      • Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training
      • BIOS 6004 (Ethical Principles and Practices for Biostatisticians) or IGP 8004 (Responsible Conduct in Research)
    • Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or better
    • Earn ≥ B- in core courses
    • Attend 80% of department seminars
    • Pass MS/PhD series 1 and PhD series 2 comprehensive examinations at the PhD level
    • Complete oral qualifying examination and dissertation defense (open forum)
    • Submit a dissertation within 4 years of completing the qualifying examination
    • Submit publication plan
    • Serve as a teaching assistant for at least 4 approved courses

    See the program handbook for more information.

  • Typical Schedule

    Year 1

    FallSpringSummer
    BIOS 6311 and BIOS 6311LBIOS 6312 and BIOS 6312LBIOS 8999 (0 hours)
    BIOS 6341 and BIOS 6341LBIOS 6342 and BIOS 6342L 
    BIOS 6301 or electiveBIOS 6321 or elective 
    EPID 8311  or electiveIGP 8004 if BIOS 6004 not taken 
    BIOS 6004Series 1 comprehensive examinations 

    Year 2

    FallSpringSummer
    BIOS 7345 and BIOS 7345LBIOS 7352BIOS 8999 (0 hours)
    BIOS 8361BIOS 7346 and BIOS 7346L or elective 
    BIOS 7351Advanced electives 
    BIOS 7323 or electiveSeries 2 applied comprehensive examination 

    Year 3

    FallSpringSummer
    Advanced electivesAdvanced electivesBIOS 9999 (0 hours)
    BIOS 8999BIOS 8999 
    Teaching assistantshipTeaching assistantship 
     Oral qualifying examination 

    Year 4

    FallSpringSummer
    BIOS 9999BIOS 9999BIOS 9999 (0 hours)
    Teaching assistantshipTeaching assistantship 

    Year 5

    FallSpring 
    BIOS 9999BIOS 9999 
     Dissertation defense 

    See the course descriptions page for more information.

    This page is for information only and subject to change without notice. Official degree requirements are listed in the Graduate School catalog.

My experience in the Biostatistics program at Vanderbilt was enriching and comprehensive. I was exposed to a broad spectrum of education in statistics-from robust theoretical foundations to practical, real-world applications. The faculty's wide-ranging interests ensured that I was never far from someone who was at the top of my field of interest. Most significantly, the relationships formed with fellow students have evolved into a valuable network. Many have become esteemed faculty members, while others have secured prominent positions in industry or government.

Man in navy blue t-shirt sitting in corner with chin on hands, grinning Nicholas Strayer, PhD 2020
Principal Software Engineer, Posit