2025-26 Biostatistics PhD Handbook

One of the degree programs offered by PHS at the Penn State University College of Medicine is the PhD in Biostatistics degree. The objectives of the PhD in Biostatistics program are to train students in the theory, methodology, and application of biostatistics. The PhD in Biostatistics degree can lead to careers in academic health centers, federal health research and regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology companies.

The mission of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Penn State University College of Medicine is to advance theory and practice that prepares future public health professionals, improves population health, and reduces health disparities across communities in Pennsylvania, the nation, and internationally. The goal of the PhD in Biostatistics Program in PHS is to fulfill the education arm of the departmental mission, with a specific objective to train students in the theory and methodology of biostatistics and prepare them for careers as biostatisticians in universities, academic medical centers, government, and private industry.

Completion of the program signifies that the student has acquired several core competencies:

1. Advanced Statistical Knowledge: proficiency in advanced statistical theory, methodology, and computational techniques relevant to health-related research;

2. Independent Research Skills: capacity to conduct independent, original research in statistics and to develop innovative solutions for diverse real-world biological or health-related problems;

3. Ethical Practice: commitment to the high standards of academic integrity regarding reproducibility, transparency, and responsible data stewardship in scientific inquiry.

Each student in the PhD in Biostatistics program is expected to acquire a breadth of knowledge in
biostatistical theory and methods. Incoming students are typically expected to have prior rigorous
training in statistics or biostatistics, such as the completion of a master’s degree in the field. The
doctoral curriculum provides further advanced training, which includes (1) the successful completion
of a minimum of 33 credits of graduate-level coursework, as detailed below, and (2) the
development of an original dissertation that introduces novel methodologies in biostatistical design
and/or analysis, with the quality and significance of the work meeting the standards for publication in
peer-reviewed statistical or biostatistical journals.

The PhD in Biostatistics program requires the successful completion of 33 credits of graduate-level coursework. This academic training is designed to ensure a solid foundation in statistical theory, methodological rigor, and applied public health research. The required credits are distributed as follows: five core courses in biostatistical and statistical methods (15 credits); three one-credit required courses addressing research ethics and participation in the departmental colloquium (3 credits); one required and two elective courses in biostatistics or statistics (9 credits); and two elective courses in epidemiology and/or health services and behavioral research (6 credits). Additional coursework, including special topics seminars and thesis research, may be undertaken based on students’ interests and academic advising.

Students are responsible for meeting all graduation course requirements and generally should complete required coursework within the first two years of their program. International students and students holding graduate assistantships are generally required to register for at least 9 credits (but no more than 12 credits) in each fall and spring semester to maintain full-time status.

Core Curriculum/Qualifying Exam Courses (15 credits)

The following five courses constitute the core curriculum and form the basis for the Qualifying Examination.

• PHS 523 Multivariate Analysis (3 credits)

• PHS 524 Longitudinal Data Analysis (3 credits)¹

• PHS 526 Categorical Data Analysis (3 credits)

• PHS 527 Survival Analysis (3 credits)

• PHS 528 Bayesian Methods (3 credits)

Other Required Courses (6 credits)

These additional courses support students’ research training and professional development .

• PHS 500 Research Ethics for Clinical Investigation (1 credit) ²

• PHS 555 Statistical Methods in Public Health II (3 credits)

• PHS 890 Biostatistics Colloquium (1 credit, taken twice) ³

Statistics Electives (6 credits)

Students must also complete two, three-credit elective in statistics or computational methods. The following courses represent a sample of eligible options:

• PHS 554 Statistical Methods in Public Health I (3 credits)

• PHS 566 Deep Learning (3 credits)

• PHS 567 Machine Learning with Applications to Omics Data (3 credits)

• PHS 583 Asymptotic Tools (3 credits)

• PHS 597 Special Topics: AI in Healthcare (3 credits)

Epidemiology/Health Services Research Electives (6 credits)

Students must complete two, three-credit electives from approved offerings in the PhD in Epidemiology or DrPH programs. Sample elective courses include:

• PHS 518 Scientific Communication (3 credits)

• PHS 535 Quality of Care Measurement (3 credits)

• PHS 536 Health Survey Research Methods (3 credits)

• PHS 551 Advanced Epidemiological Methods (3 credits)

• PHS 564 Causal Inference Methods in Epidemiologic Research (3 credits)

• PHS 570 Health Economics & Economic Evaluation (3 credits)

All elective courses should be selected in consultation with the academic adviser to ensure consistency with the student's academic and research goals. Course availability is subject to change based on faculty offerings and scheduling.

¹ PHS 524 is not included in the exam.

² Offered in Spring; PHS 500 could be substituted by BMS 591 Biomedical Research Ethics, which is offered during the fall semester.

³ PHS 890 is to be taken during both the first and second years.

Year 1 Fall

*PHS 523 Multivariate (core course)

*PHS 526 Categorical (core course)

*PHS 890 Biostatistics Colloquium (required course)

PHS 518 Scientific Communication (Epi/HSR elective)

Year 1 Spring

*PHS 524 Longitudinal (core course)

*PHS 528 Bayesian (core course)

*PHS 527 Survival (core course)

*PHS 500 Research Ethics (required course)¹

Year 2 Fall

*PHS 890 Biostatistics Colloquium (required course)

PHS 550 Principles of Epidemiology (Epi/HSR elective)

PHS 554 Statistical Methods in Public Health I (statistics elective)

PHS 567 Machine learning with applications to omics data (statistics elective)

Year 2 Spring

PHS 583 Asymptotic Tools (statistics elective)

*PHS 555 Statistical Methods for Public Health II (required course)

PHS 564 Causal Inference Methods in Epidemiologic Research (Epi/HSR elective)

PHS 566 Deep Learning with Applications to Genomics and Health Informatics (statistics elective)

¹ Offered in spring. PHS 500 could be substituted by BMS 591 Biomedical Research Ethics, which is offered during the Fall semester.

A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for all coursework is required to fulfill the graduation requirements. One or more failing grades or a cumulative grade-point average below 3.0 may be considered evidence of unsatisfactory scholarship and be grounds for dismissal from the University. If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The period during which a grade may be deferred shall not extend, without further approval of the dean of the college, beyond the end of the sixth week of the next semester in which the University is in session. A deferred grade that is not changed to a passing grade by the instructor before the end of this period automatically becomes an F.

The PhD in Biostatistics program is structured around a series of academic milestones designed to assess progress and readiness for independent research. These milestones help ensure that students remain on track to complete the program within a typical timeframe of four to five years, although shorter or longer durations may be appropriate in some cases.

Qualifying Examination

The first pivotal milestone occurs at the end of the first year of study, when students are required to take the qualifying examination, typically administered in mid-June. This examination assesses whether the student has attained sufficient mastery of foundational statistical concepts and methods to proceed with doctoral-level training and research. The exam consists of four closed-book written components, each lasting 1.5 hours and corresponding to the following courses: PHS 523 (Multivariate Analysis), PHS 526 (Categorical Data Analysis), PHS 527 (Survival Analysis), and PHS 528 (Bayesian Methods). The examination is evaluated by a committee of graduate faculty in the Biostatistics program. To pass, students must achieve a minimum score of 60 on each component and an overall average of 80 across all components. Students who do not meet the passing criteria are permitted a second attempt in mid-July and may choose to retake one or more components. Final decisions on progression are made after the second attempt based on cumulative performance.

Advisor and Committee Formation

Upon passing the qualifying examination, students should begin identifying a dissertation research topic and a program faculty member to serve as their dissertation advisor. The advisor becomes the student’s primary academic mentor and oversees progress toward the dissertation. Graduate Education Policy requires that the Doctoral Committee be formally appointed as soon as possible after an advisor is selected, but no later than one calendar year after passing the qualifying examination unless an extension is approved. We encourage students to initiate committee formation discussions with their adviser by the beginning of the second-year spring semester.

Comprehensive Examination

The second major milestone is the comprehensive examination, which is administered after completion of all required coursework. Most students complete this milestone by the end of the second year, but no later than the fall semester of the third year. The comprehensive examination evaluates whether the student has the depth and breadth of knowledge necessary to conduct independent, high-quality research. It consists of a written dissertation research proposal, which must be submitted to the departmental repository, and an oral examination before the Doctoral Committee.

The written proposal must:

• Include a clear statement of research aims and hypotheses, relevant background and literature, proposed statistical methods, anticipated challenges, and the potential contribution to the field;

• Be a minimum of 30 pages in length (including figures and tables, excluding references);

• Comply with Penn State Graduate School dissertation format requirements.

During the oral examination, the committee will assess the student's mastery of the subject matter, scientific rationale, methodological soundness, and ability to engage in independent scholarly inquiry. Successful examination demonstrates the student:

1. Has a strong foundation in relevant theoretical and methodological concepts;

2. Can synthesize and apply knowledge to a novel research problem;

3. Can clearly communicate and defend research approaches.

Students who pass the comprehensive examination are formally admitted to PhD candidacy and may begin full-time dissertation research. If a student does not pass, the committee may recommend proposal revisions or additional coursework prior to a second examination.

Final Dissertation Defense

The final milestone is the oral defense of the PhD dissertation, which must occur at least three months after passing the comprehensive examination. The defense is conducted before the Doctoral Committee and involves a public presentation of the dissertation followed by a closed session of questions and discussion. Prior to the defense, each student must have submitted at least two manuscripts arising from their dissertation research to peer-reviewed journals.

An original PhD dissertation is required for completion of the PhD in Biostatistics degree. Details about the dissertation requirements are on the Graduate School website, which reviews the general dissertation submission procedure and deadlines.

The PhD dissertation must be written and submitted according to the deadlines outlined by the Graduate School at Thesis and Dissertation Deadlines and submitted electronically. The Graduate School, the University Libraries, and the graduate faculty of Penn State have established format standards that a dissertation must meet prior to receiving final approval as fulfillment of a graduate requirement. The Office of Theses and Dissertations is the unit of the Graduate School responsible for certifying that the thesis has been prepared in accordance with these established regulations. It reviews the format of the dissertation and does not provide edits to the dissertation for spelling, grammar, or punctuation. For more information on electronic thesis (eTDs) submissions, visit the eTD Web site.

Doctoral training is a long-term partnership. The Biostatistics PhD program is committed to providing mentorship, research opportunities, and a supportive learning environment. In turn, students are expected to take increasing ownership of their academic and professional development as they progress toward independent scholarship.

Specifically, students are expected to:

• Academic progress and planning. Become familiar with program and Graduate School requirements; monitor degree milestones and deadlines, and work with the academic or dissertation adviser to develop and periodically review an appropriate plan of study and research. Students should seek clarification when requirements or expectations are unclear.

• Engagement in learning and research. Participate fully in courses, colloquia, research meetings, faculty rotations, committee meetings, and other required activities. Preparation, follow-through, and thoughtful use of feedback are important parts of doctoral training.

• Professional communication and reliability. Maintain regular, constructive communication with advisers, instructors, committee members, research collaborators, and assistantship supervisors.

• High standards of research and professional integrity. Conduct academic and research activities with honesty, rigor, reproducibility, appropriate data stewardship, and respect for applicable ethical, confidentiality, and professional standards.

• Increasing research independence. Take progressively greater initiative in defining research questions, reviewing the literature, understanding and selecting methods, maintaining reproducible code and research records, interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts and presentations.

• Assistantship and collaborative responsibilities. Carry out assigned research and teaching responsibilities carefully and on agreed timelines, clarify expectations at the beginning of each assignment, and communicate proactively when competing priorities or difficulties arise.

• Collegiality and professional development. Treat fellow students, staff, faculty, and collaborators with respect and contribute to a constructive scholarly environment. Take advantage of seminars, workshops, conferences, and other opportunities for professional growth.

When challenges arise, students are encouraged to seek guidance early so that advisers, the Program Director, and other University resources can help identify solutions and support continued progress.

Academic Integrity at Penn State is defined in Faculty Senate Policy 49-20 as “the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner.” The University's Code of Conduct states that “all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.”

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others”. Academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or falsification of information) will not be tolerated. Violations may result in academic or disciplinary sanctions such as failing (F) grade in a course or termination from the graduate program, in accordance with applicable University and Graduate School policies and procedures.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, the Department of Public Health Sciences offers a limited number of first-year scholarships to incoming students in the PhD in Biostatistics program. These scholarships provide full tuition coverage and a competitive 12-month stipend to support full-time doctoral study and scholarly development. Scholarship availability is limited, and the specific terms and conditions of an award are described in the student's admission or funding letter.

Students receiving a first-year departmental scholarship are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and, when assigned, to fulfill teaching and/or research assistantship responsibilities. Such responsibilities may include supporting instructional activities, assisting with faculty research projects, or contributing to collaborative research. Students are expected to carry out assigned duties reliably, professionally, and in accordance with agreed-upon expectations.

During the first year, any assigned assistantship duties are generally limited to a maximum of 10 hours per week so that students have protected time for coursework and faculty research rotations. These rotations are intended to broaden students' exposure to different areas of biostatistical research, facilitate professional relationships within the program, and help students identify potential research and dissertation advisers. Students should communicate with the Program Director in advance if a change in a planned rotation becomes necessary.

Beginning in the second year, financial sponsorship may be provided by a faculty adviser through research grants, institutional funds, or other available sources. Such sponsorship may arise from an arrangement specified at the time of admission or from a subsequent mutual agreement between the student and faculty adviser. The nature and level of support, as well as any associated research or teaching responsibilities, may vary according to the funding source and should be discussed clearly between the student and adviser.

Because funding sources and availability may vary over time, students are encouraged to discuss plans for second-year and subsequent financial support with potential or current faculty advisers early enough to support effective academic and research planning. All scholarships, assistantships, tuition support, and stipend arrangements remain subject to applicable University and Graduate School policies and to the terms of the student's official appointment or funding agreement.

PhD students in the Biostatistics program may pursue extramural internships, such as those offered by government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, or research institutions, to enhance their professional training and applied experience. However, participation in an internship is permitted only after successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination and requires prior approval from the student’s dissertation adviser. The internship must be clearly aligned with the student’s academic and career objectives and must not impede timely progress toward dissertation completion.

If the internship provides financial compensation, the student’s regular departmental stipend will be waived for the duration of the internship. However, tuition support may still be provided at the discretion of the department, contingent upon the student’s academic standing and the relevance of the internship to the overall goals of the PhD program.

The Biostatistics PhD program is committed to supporting student engagement in national and international scientific meetings. Financial support is available, upon request, to assist with travel expenses related to academic conference presentations. Standard departmental funding levels are capped as follows:

• $750 for poster presentations

• $1,000 for oral presentations

• $1,500 for travel related to receiving a recognized student research award

Students whose anticipated expenses exceed these limits are encouraged to consult with their dissertation adviser to explore additional sources of support. Supplementary funding may be available through faculty research grants, external fellowships, or institutional travel awards.

All travel must receive prior approval from the department, and reimbursement is contingent upon compliance with Penn State University travel policies and submission of all required documentation.

Following admittance to a degree program, the student should confer with the Biostatistics PhD program director concerning procedures and the appointment of an academic adviser. Consultation or arrangement of the details of the student's semester-by-semester schedule is the function of the academic adviser. This person may be a member of the doctoral committee or someone else designated by the head of the major program for this specific duty. The academic adviser may be different from the dissertation adviser.

General guidance of a doctoral candidate is the responsibility of a doctoral committee consisting of four or more active members of the Graduate Faculty, which includes at least two faculty members in the major field. The dissertation adviser must be a member of the doctoral committee. The dissertation adviser usually serves as chair, but this is not required. If the candidate is also pursuing a dual-title field of study, a co-chair representing the dual-title field must be appointed. In most cases, the same individual (e.g., dissertation adviser) is a member of the Graduate Faculty in both the major and dual-title fields, and in such cases may serve as sole chair.

At least one regular member of the doctoral committee must represent a field outside the candidate’s major field of study in order to provide a broader range of disciplinary perspectives and expertise. This committee member is referred to as the “Outside Field Member.” In cases where the candidate is also pursuing a dual-title field of study, the dual-title representative to the committee may serve as the Outside Field Member.

Additionally, at least one regular member of the doctoral committee must have a primary appointment in an administrative unit outside the primary appointment administrative home of the student’s dissertation adviser (e.g., for tenure-line faculty, the tenure home) in order to avoid the potential for conflicts of interest. This committee member is referred to as the “Outside Unit Member.” In some cases, an individual may have a primary appointment outside the administrative home of the student’s dissertation adviser and also represent a field outside the student’s major field of study; in such cases, the individual may serve as both the Outside Field Member and the Outside Unit Member.

If the candidate has a minor, that field must be represented on the committee by a “Minor Field Member.” (See also Major Program and Minor Field under D.Ed.—Additional Specific Requirements in this bulletin.)

This committee is appointed by the graduate dean through the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, upon recommendation of the head of the major program, soon after the student has passed the qualifying exam. The dean may on occasion appoint one or more members of the committee in addition to those recommended by the program chair.

A person not affiliated with Penn State who has particular expertise in the candidate's research area may be added as a “Special Member,” upon recommendation by the head of the program and approval of the graduate dean (via the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services). A Special Member is expected to participate fully in the functions of the doctoral committee. If the Special Member is asked only to read and approve the doctoral dissertation, that person is designated a special signatory. Occasionally, special signatories may be drawn from within the Penn State faculty in particular situations.

The chair or at least one co-chair must be a member of the graduate faculty of the specific doctoral program in which the candidate is enrolled. A retired or emeritus faculty member may chair a doctoral committee if he/she began chairing the committee prior to retirement and has the continuing approval of the department head or program chair. The primary duties of the chair are: (1) to maintain the academic standards of the doctoral program and the Graduate School and assure that all procedures are carried out fairly, (2) to ensure that the comprehensive and final examinations are conducted in a timely fashion, (3) to arrange and conduct all meetings, and (4) to ensure that requirements set forth by the committee are implemented in the final version of the thesis.

The membership of doctoral committees should be periodically reviewed by the committee chair to ensure that its members continue to qualify for service on the committee in their designated roles. For example, if appointments, employment at the University, etc., have changed since initial appointment to the committee, changes to the committee membership may be necessary. If changes are warranted, they should be made as soon as possible to prevent future problems that may delay academic progress for the student (e.g., ability to conduct the comprehensive or final examinations).

If the composition of the doctoral committee changes at any time, the Doctoral Committee Appointment Form must be revised and submitted to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services. All committee members must be listed on the form, but only the new committee members, the student and the department head/graduate officer need to sign the form.

The doctoral committee is responsible for approving the broad outline of the student’s program and should review the program as soon as possible after the student passes the qualifying exam. Moreover, continuing communication among the student, the committee chair, the research supervisor, and the members of the committee is strongly recommended, to preclude misunderstandings and to develop a collegial relation between the candidate and the committee.

The (entire) committee will prepare and administer the examination, and evaluate the candidate’s performance on the examination. If a committee member is unable to attend the final oral defense, the member may sign as a special signatory. A revised committee appointment form will need to be sent to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, 114 Kern Graduate Building, removing the faculty member as a regular committee member and if it is desired to designate that individual as a special signatory, a memo must accompany the revised committee form, requesting that the faculty member be moved to a special signatory. If there are then not enough members serving on the committee (i.e., four or more active members of the Graduate Faculty), another Penn State faculty member will need to replace that member to constitute a legitimate doctoral committee. (Substitutes are not permitted.) These changes and approvals shall occur before the actual examination takes place. The department or program head will notify the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services, providing two weeks' notice, when the candidate is ready to schedule the comprehensive examination and the final oral defense, and will report the results of these examinations to that office.

The dissertation adviser, as well as the chair of the doctoral committee (if not the same individual as the dissertation adviser), along with additional members of the committee to total a minimum of three (3), must be physically present at the final oral examination. The graduate student must also be physically present at the exam. (Thus, for a five-person committee, two could participate via distance.) No more than one member may participate via telephone; a second member could participate via interactive videoconferencing. The examination request and a request for exceptions must be submitted to the director of Graduate Enrollment Services for approval at least two weeks prior to the date of the exam. Special arrangements, i.e., requirements for meeting participation via distance, must be communicated to the student and the doctoral committee members well in advance of the examination.

A favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the committee is required for passing a comprehensive or a final oral examination. If a candidate fails an examination, it is the responsibility of the doctoral committee to determine whether another examination may be taken.

The committee examines the dissertation, administers the final oral examination, and signs the approval page of the dissertation. At least two-thirds of the committee must approve the dissertation.