Master of Public Health (in Biostatistics)

The MPH degree in biostatistics is intended primarily for those persons who wish to acquire an MPH degree with an emphasis in statistical methodology.  This can include individuals from decision-making positions in health care settings as well as those interested in data management, statistical analyses and interpretation, and presentation of analytical results.  Note that the MPH does not require some of the theoretical courses required for the MS, and as such, it is not a direct route to prepare a student for a PhD.  Students anticipating that they will wish to continue for a PhD are advised to pursue the MS rather than the MPH.

Coursework		Credit Hours
MPH Core (including the Integrative Experience)		15 or 16
ENH 600	Fundamentals of Environmental Health Sciences	3
EPI 600	Introduction to Epidemiology	3
	OR
EPI 610/610L	Principles of Epidemiologic Research and Lab	4
HB 600	Social and Behavioral Science Core	3
HCO 600	Introduction to Public Health Systems and Population-Based Health Programs	3
MCH 695	The Public Health Integrative Experience	3
Biostatistics Core		15
BST 619	Data Collection and Management	3
BST 621	Statistical Methods I	3
BST 622	Statistical Methods II	3
BST 626/626L	Data Management/Reporting with SAS	3
BST 697	Internship in Biostatistics	3
Electives		12
Biostatistics Electives *		9
Outside Electives **		3
		Total 42-43

Biostatistics Electives: Minimum 9 credit hours of regular courses of 624
 or higher-level.

Outside Electives: A minimum of 3 graduate credit hours of electives must be taken
from some field of Biology, Public Health or Medicine.
The academic advisor must approve these courses.

The MPH Non Coursework Requirements: The Internship

All MPH students must register for a minimum of 3 credit hours of BST 697, spent in an internship situation.  The exact nature of the internship will differ from student to student.  It may consist of time spent away from the department in a sponsoring institution such as the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta or the Jefferson County Health Department.  Alternatively, the student might work for a coordinating center on campus, with the Biostatistical Unit at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, or elsewhere within the SOPH on grant-sponsored research.  Whichever is the case, the student will have an advisor or mentor within the biostatistics department and a supervisor at the internship location.  In some cases, this might be the same individual.  There must be agreement among the student, the faculty member, and the on-site supervisor regarding the duties that the student will be asked to perform during the internship period.  Such experience may require any or all of the following: working with a research team, participating in study design, participating in form design, planning and implementing data entry and database management procedures, implementation of quality control procedures, data analysis, generation of presentation graphics, and a write-up to describe data analyses.  It will be important for each student to stay in touch with their advisor and the Graduate Program Director during this period even if the location is not at UAB.

A written summary of these activities must be presented to the faculty advisor, the Graduate Program Director, and the on-site supervisor following the completion of the internship.  This allows a grade to be produced for the internship hours (Pass or Fail) and documents the internship for CEPH, which is the accrediting group for the SOPH. The project summary should contain a description of the project and the role that the student played.  The format will vary from student to student, but should reflect a thoughtful, careful report of the internship activities written in good English.