Master of Biostatistics

Course 991-AA (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook

Year and Campus:	2008
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Level:	Graduate/Postgraduate

 ContactCourse Coordinator:Professor John Carlin Centre for Molecular, Environmental, Genetic and Analytic Epidemiology (MEGA) Tel: +61 3 8344 40733 (MEGA) Fax: +61 3 9349 5815 (MEGA) Tel: +61 3 9345 6363 (Royal Children's Hospital) Fax: +61 3 9345 6000 (Royal Children's Hospital) Email: john.carlin@unimelb.edu.au Course Administration/inquiries:Academic Programs Office School of Population Health Tel: +61 3 8344 9339 Fax: +61 3 8344 0824 Email: sph-gradinfo@unimelb.edu.au 

Course Overview:	Biostatistics is the discipline that underpins the use of statistical methods in health and medical research. The Master of Biostatistics aims to train students from a range of academic backgrounds to work as professional biostatisticians in various settings. Graduates from this course will pursue careers in medical and epidemiological research, the pharmaceutical industry and government departments and agencies. The program includes subjects designed to provide necessary background in mathematical and statistical theory to those without a first degree in mathematics or statistics. A compulsory unit in epidemiology introduces those unfamiliar with research in population health to critical appraisal of the health and medical literature. Graduates with a health sciences background, e.g. Masters degree in Public Health or Clinical Epidemiology, will gain increased and more sophisticated statistical skills, while those from a mathematical background will achieve a higher level of technical expertise while developing the capacity to work effectively on health and medical problems. The Master of Biostatistics is the most advanced award of a three-tier structure in postgraduate biostatistics (see also the Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Biostatistics). Subjects taught under the Biostatistics program form a structured sequence and are not generally available to students taking other awards.
Objectives:	On completion of the Master of Biostatistics, graduates will: have developed a sound understanding of epidemiological study design and the theory and application of the major areas of biostatistics relevant to professional practice have acquired skills in complex statistical analyses to handle a variety of practical problems using modern statistical techniques and software have acquired skills in data collection and data management, including database design, quality control procedures and the ethical handling of data have developed skills to identify the relevant statistical issues in practical problems in medical/health settings and to propose and implement an appropriate statistical design and/or analysis methodology have developed skills and had experience in communication of biostatistical issues with clinical/health personnel and the presentation of statistical results in a format suitable for publication in health-related journals or professional reports have acquired the technical skills to be able to read methodological papers in the biostatistical literature and apply the methods described therein to practical problems have developed the practical and technical skills to commence professional careers as independent biostatisticians and/or to progress to further postgraduate research studies be able to demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of conduct and ethical standards such as those of the Statistical Society of Australia have developed problem solving abilities in biostatistics, characterised by flexibility of approach
Course Structure & Available Subjects:	This course is available on a part-time basis only, and at the maximum rate of 2 subjects per semester requires 3 years to complete (150 credit points).
Subject Options:	Option 1: 10 coursework subjects and a two unit Workplace project portfolio (150 points) Option 2: 11 coursework subjects and a one unit Workplace project portfolio (150 points) Students may be waived the requirement to complete either Epidemiology (students coming from a background in health research), or one or more of the units Mathematical Background for Biostatistics, Probability and Distribution Theory, and Principles of Statistical Inference (students coming from a background in mathematics and/or statistics). This will leave room for the student to complete elective subjects in addition to the compulsory Workplace Project Portfolio. Students may receive credit for subjects previously completed while enrolled at the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma levels. CORE SUBJECTS Students must complete the following core subjects: Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 505-938 Clinical Biostatistics Semester 1 12.50 505-108 Data Management & Statistical Computing Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 505-937 Health Indicators and Health Surveys Semester 1 12.50 505-107 Principles of Statistical Inference Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 505-942 Survival Analysis Semester 1 12.50 505-106 Epidemiology Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 505-105 Mathematics B'Ground for Biostatistics Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 505-941 Categorical Data & GLMs Semester 2 12.50 505-939 Design of Randomised Controlled Trials Semester 2 12.50 505-940 Linear Models Semester 2 12.50 505-975 Probability and Distribution Theory Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 WORKPLACE PROJECT PORTFOLIO Students must also complete one of the following workplace project portfolio subjects (depending on the structure of their program): Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 505-976 Workplace Project Portfolio - S (WPP) Semester 1, Semester 2 12.50 505-945 Workplace Project Portfolio - L (WPP) Semester 1, Semester 2 25 505-978 Workplace Project Portfolio - D (WPP) Semester 1, Semester 2 25 OPTIONAL ELECTIVES Subject Study Period Commencement: Credit Points: 505-943 Longitudinal and Correlated Data Semester 1 12.50 505-964 Advanced Clinical Trials Semester 2 12.50 505-965 Bayesian Statistical Methods 2 12.500 505-944 Bioinformatics Semester 2 12.50
Entry Requirements:	A four-year undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline incorporating studies in mathematics or statistics at least at second-year level with an average mark of at least H2B (70%); OR A Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Biostatistics. Successful applicants with a Postgraduate Diploma in Biostatistics with at least H2B (70%) average may be awarded a maximum of 50 points credit (advanced standing) on entry to the masters degree. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests or call for referee reports or employer references to elucidate any of the matters listed above.
Core Participation Requirements:	For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability
Graduate Attributes:	The Melbourne Experience enables our graduates to become: Academically excellent:have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship have in-depth knowledge of their specialist discipline(s) reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem-solving and communication be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self-directed learning be adept at learning in a range of ways, including through information and communication technologies Knowledgeable across disciplines:examine critically, synthesise and evaluate knowledge across a broad range of disciplines expand their analytical and cognitive skills through learning experiences in diverse subjects have the capacity to participate fully in collaborative learning and to confront unfamiliar problems have a set of flexible and transferable skills for different types of employment Leaders in communities:initiate and implement constructive change in their communities, including professions and workplaces have excellent interpersonal and decision-making skills, including an awareness of personal strengths and limitations mentor future generations of learners engage in meaningful public discourse, with a profound awareness of community needs Attuned to cultural diversity: value different cultures be well-informed citizens able to contribute to their communities wherever they choose to live and work have an understanding of the social and cultural diversity in our community respect indigenous knowledge, cultures and values Active global citizens:accept social and civic responsibilities be advocates for improving the sustainability of the environment have a broad global understanding, with a high regard for human rights, equity and ethics
Generic Skills:	Refer to Course Objectives.
Links to further information:	http://www.sph.unimelb.edu.au
Notes:	All subjects are taught by distance education, via a consortium of universities known as the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA). For further details, see the BCA website: www.bca.edu.au. Because the degree of Master of Biostatistics includes a compulsory 25-point supervised workplace project portfolio (subject code 505-945), enrolment in the Master of Biostatistics is not usually possible for international students unable to live and be employed in Australia while undertaking the degree. Mid-Year entry is available.

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