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ScM Program

The Johns Hopkins Department of Biostatistics ScM program is intended for individuals who have demonstrated excellence at the undergraduate level in quantitative or biological sciences and a career as a professional statistician. Typically, ScM graduates assume positions in research or professional settings as scientific project coordinators and data analysts where they:

• Design research studies of human health and disease.

• Design and implement data management systems.

• Design and implement tabular and graphical displays of quantitative information.

• Draw inferences from quantitative data.

• Use statistical reasoning and theory to deal effectively with non-standard statistical problems.

• Perform major statistical analyses to address public health or statistical research questions.

• Assist statistical researchers in the conduct of original, methodologic research.

More detailed information is available below and in the Department of Biostatistics Student Handbook.

Program Overview:

The ScM program typically takes two years, with the first eighteen months spent in didactic coursework and the final six months spent working closely with a departmental faculty member in a master's thesis project. To view the ScM program learning competencies click here

Entrance Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree

• Completed School of Public Health application

• GRE score results

• TOEFL results (if your most recent academic degree is from a university where English is NOT the primary language of instruction)

• Three letters of recommendation

• Statement of purpose

Incoming students without a strong background in basic biology are strongly encouraged to register for the course Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (260.600), held in advance of the first term each year during the latter part of August. For more information about admission requirements for the School of Public Health, please contact the School's Admissions Office.

Student Evaluations:

The Department is committed to providing every opportunity for its ScM students to successfully complete this academic program. To support students in progressing toward the degree, a comprehensive written examination is given at the end of the first year.

Seminars:

The Department offers a weekly seminar program featuring recent work by outstanding statistical scientists from around the world. Attendance is required for all ScM students. The seminar on the first Wednesday of each month is the "Biostatistics Grand Rounds," which features statistical analyses addressing important public health questions.

Recommended Curriculum:

Year One

August:
260.600 Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences (4 credits)

Term 1:
140.651 Methods in Biostatistics I (4 credits)
140.646 Essentials of Probability and Statistical Inference I (4 credits)*
340.601 Principles of Epidemiology (5 credits)
550.865 Public Health Perspectives on Research (1 credit)**
140.840 Special Studies
All full-time ScM students must enroll for a minimum of 16 credits per term, which can be achieved by registering for special studies as needed (140.840).  These special studies must have a clearly-defined objective.

* Essentials of Probability and Statistical Inference I-IV may be replaced by Introduction to Probability I-II (140.671-2) and Statistical Theory I-II (140.673-4).
** Students who have earned an MPH from a domestic university within the last 10 years may waive the requirement to take the course Public Health Perspectives on Research.

Term 2:
140.652 Methods in Biostatistics II (4 credits)
140.647 Essentials of Probability and Statistical Inference II (4 credits)*
550.865 Public Health Perspectives on Research (1 credit)**
550.860 Research Ethics (1 credit)
Electives
140.840 Special Studies

All full-time ScM students must enroll for a minimum of 16 credits per term, which can be achieved by registering for special studies as needed (140.840).  These special studies must have a clearly-defined objective.

** Students who have earned an MPH from a domestic university within the last 10 years may waive the requirement to take the course Public Health Perspectives on Research.

Term 3:
140.653 Methods in Biostatistics II (4 credits)
140.648 Essentials of Probability and Statistical Inference III (4 credits)*
Electives
140.840 Special Studies
All full-time ScM students must enroll for a minimum of 16 credits per term, which can be achieved by registering for special studies as needed (140.840).  These special studies must have a clearly-defined objective.

Term 4:
140.654 Methods in Biostatistics IV (4 credits)
140.649 Essentials of Probability and Statistical Inference IV (4 credits)*
Electives
140.840 Special Studies
All full-time ScM students must enroll for a minimum of 16 credits per term, which can be achieved by registering for special studies as needed (140.840).  These special studies must have a clearly-defined objective.

By the end of their first year, full-time ScM students MUST have earned 12 credits in non-Biostatistics courses, 6 credits of which must be from the School of Public Health and the coursework for which should come from at least two departments in the School of Public Health.  Principles of Epidemiology and Introduction to the Biomedical Sciences count for 9 credits.  Special studies courses in another department do not count toward this requirement.

Electives

During their time in the program, ScM students may choose from a wide range of elective courses to meet their educational needs. Students specifically interested in clinical trials may want to consider the courses 140.642 (Design of Clinical Experiments), 390.612 (Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials), or 340.645 (Introduction to Clinical Trials). Students specifically interested in learning the SAS statistical package may want to consider the course 140.632 (Introduction to the SAS Statistical Package).

Academic Ethics

Students in the Bloomberg School of Public Health are expected to abide by the highest levels of academic and research integrity.   The Johns Hopkins Academic Ethics Code can be found at:  http://www.jhsph.edu/schoolpolicies/policy_academic_ethics.html