Joint Graduate Program in Biostatistics
Department of Statistics, Rice University
Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The Department of Statistics at Rice University and the Department of Biostatistics
at the U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have recently joined forces to develop
a unique program that combines their respective strengths to train biostatisticians
in cancer and biomedical research. Biostatistics brings statistical and probabilistic
reasoning to bear on the complex research problems in areas such as biology,
genetics, human health, medicine, and environmental science. Biostatisticians
play key roles in various projects, such as clinical trials to evaluate new
therapies; studies to unravel the genetic architecture of complex diseases;
epidemiologic studies investigating the distribution and spread of disease;
environmental studies to evaluate the distribution of species. The goal of the
joint Graduate Program in Biostatistics (GPB) is to prepare a new generation
of biostatisticians who will be expected to work side-by-side with biomedical
investigators in modern cancer research. This program solidifies the collaborative
spirit that exists between the two institutions and provides students a unique
training opportunity through exposure to a multitude of cutting-edge research
areas within the general umbrella of biostatistics. Students will also gain
valuable applied research experience in this innovative program. Qualified students
will be eligible for financial support in the form of tuition and stipend. Our
faculty have significant grant support, and students may also be supported as
research assistants on these grants.
The primary degree plan in this collaborative effort is the doctoral program;
however, successful students are eligible to receive a Master of Statistics
from Rice University in their second year of study. The basic curriculum includes
(1) three semesters of core courses, covering basic statistical theory and methods,
biostatistical methods, and data analysis;
(2) advanced statistics and biomedical courses, such as cancer biology, genetics,
stochastic processes, survival analysis, clinical trials, and Bayesian statistical
theory and practice; and
(3) dissertation research guided by MDACC or Rice faculty.
The Department of Statistics, Rice University
The Department of Statistics at Rice was formally established in 1988 and currently
has 9 full-time faculty, 12 joint faculty and 31 Ph.D. students. Current areas
of interest include nonparametric methods, financial statistics, graphical analysis
of high-dimensional data, time series, image processing, biostatistics and biomathematics,
statistical genetics, bioinformatics, molecular evolution, ecological modeling,
environmental science, model building, defense studies, and quality control.
Small classes and close working relationships between faculty and students provide
rigorous training in both theoretical statistics and applied research. About
half of the graduates take academic positions and half industrial positions.
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center created a Department of
Biostatistics in September 1999 to enhance support for researchers designing
clinical trials and analyzing data in the study of cancer. This development
reflects the growth of statistics as a major component of cancer research and
emphasizes the institution's commitment to innovation in the design of research
methodology. The Department currently has 13 full-time faculty whose research
includes design and analysis of clinical trials, survival analysis, Bayesian
biostatistics, analysis of longitudinal and repeated measurement data, statistical
genetics, bioinformatics, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. There is an
ever-expanding program of research projects in collaboration with physicians
and scientists at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, offering students unique
research and training opportunities.
For more Information Contact:
Department of Statistics Rice University 6100 Main St. MS-138 Houston, TX 77251-1892 Phone: 713-348-6032 Email: stat@stat.rice.edu WWW: www.stat.rice.edu |
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Department of Biostatistics 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 447 Houston, TX 77030-4009 Phone: 713.745.5984 Email: glr@odin.mdacc.tmc.edu WWW: www.mdanderson.org/depts/biostatistics |