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Certificate

Biostatistics

Learn statistical techniques to analyze clinical data.

About the Biostatistics Program

Biostatistics is an indispensable tool for improving our understanding of biological processes and has a direct impact in ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmacological and biotechnological products. Biostatistians can be found beyond pharmacological and medical research in various fields and industries, and often work closely with economists, insurance analysts, marketing specialists, and other professionals to analyze data, assure quality control, develop policy, conduct market research, and implement cost controls. In addition, the application of biostatistics has recently expanded to include a wide-range of fields, such as medical imaging, ecological forecasting, and statistical genetics.

Recently updated with more in-depth learning on the most commonly used biostatistical methods, this specialized certificate emphasizes the application of statistical techniques to the analysis of clinical data. The course sequence begins with basic statistical concepts in biostatistics and then moves to more advanced topics, including the use of SAS, the dominant software for statistical analysis in the field.

Students will develop a clear, solid understanding of statistical methods and their applications, as well as the available software tools needed to carry out the work. In the final two courses of the program, students will master the types of analysis most commonly used in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, including simple and multiple linear regression, ANOVA and ANCOVA, simple and multiple logistic regression, and survival analysis.

Benefits:

  • Hands-on comprehensive training designed to immerse the student in the skills needed to successfully get started in or advance their career
  • Industry-neutral curriculum allows for students to apply knowledge to their field of interest
  • Developed and taught by seasoned biostatisticians and other industry professionals

Key Topics (see individual courses for more information):

  • Descriptive and inferential statistics
  • SAS programming
  • Simple and multiple linear regression
  • Simple and multiple logistic regression
  • Analysis of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA)
  • Survival analysis
  • Proportional and nonproportional hazards models
  • Power and sample size analyses

Frequently Asked Questions:

Online
9-12 Months
varies by student and courses taken per quarter.
$2,175
Excluding the certificate fee and required textbooks.

Program Benefits

Our program provides immersive and practical training, equipping you with the essential skills to successfully embark on or enhance your career. The convenience of online learning allows you to participate in the program from the comfort of your own home or office. Furthermore, the program has been developed and is taught by experienced biostatisticians and industry professionals, ensuring a high-quality educational experience.

By completing the program, graduates will possess the necessary expertise to apply for junior biostatistician positions. Some common entry-level biostatistics positions include:

  1. Junior Biostatistician
  2. Research Assistant in Biostatistics
  3. Data Analyst in Biostatistics
  4. Statistical Programmer
  5. Biostatistics Intern
  6. Epidemiology Research Assistant
  7. Clinical Trials Coordinator
  8. Healthcare Data Analyst
  9. Biostatistics Consultant
  10. Statistical Research Associate

These positions provide opportunities to gain practical experience in biostatistical analysis, data management, and research methodologies, laying a solid foundation for a career in biostatistics.

Key Program Topics

  • Descriptive and inferential statistics
  • Simple and multiple linear regression
  • Simple and multiple logistic regression
  • Analysis of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA)
  • Survival analysis
  • Proportional and nonproportional hazards models
  • Power and sample size analyses

Biostatistics

Classroom type:
Live Online
In-Person
Online
Hybrid
Download Course List

Required Courses

All three courses are required. The courses should be taken in the order suggested.

Other Courses of Interest

Not required for certificate.

Conditions for Admission

Although programs are open to all adult learners, UC San Diego Extension programs are designed to best serve college-prepared working professionals. Where program capacity is limited, applicants with this profile will receive preference for admission.

Certificate Guidelines

You may enroll in the certificate program at any time. However, it is recommended that you enroll as soon as possible. The program curriculum may be updated at any time; if certificate requirements change, you must adhere to the curriculum at the time of your enrollment into the certificate.

FAQs

There are no prerequisite required to enroll in the certificate program, however we do highly recommend you have a strong mathematical foundation prior to taking any of the required courses. A life science or medical health background is also recommended, but not required.
Most students complete the program in one year by taking one course per quarter for four consecutive quarters. You have up to five years to complete all requirements for the certificate.
The program costs approximately $3,370 including the certificate fee, course fees, and required textbooks. This is an estimate of the full cost of the program. This estimate may vary based on a variety of factors. All estimated costs are subject to change. Program fees are paid on a per-course basis, when you enroll in a course, and current fees and textbooks are listed on the individual course pages.
Yes! This program is designed for you to take it online in the convenience of your own home or office. We are currently using Canvas as our online Learning Management System for all our online courses in this program. While students do not get access to their respective courses until the first day of the course, we encourage students who are new to Canvas to click on the following link to Canvas and Take the free tour of Canvas.
If you have taken a course from an accredited university covering the learning objectives of a program course, you may be able to transfer your previous coursework to Extension. If you have not taken a course elsewhere, but already have the skills covered in a course, you may be able to substitute an alternate Extension course in its place. Please contact the program representative at unex-techdata@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-9358 for more information.
Yes, the program is open to non-California residents, including non-US residents. The tuition is the same for all students. If you have questions about how enrolling in courses may or may not affect your visa status, please contact our International Department at ipinfo@ucsd.edu or (858) 534-6784.
You will find a downloadable program flyer and program FAQs under "Related Documents" on the right side of the top of this page. If you need further information, please contact the program representative at 858-534-9353 or unex-techdata@ucsd.edu.

Advisory Board

Arthur Li, M.S.

Biostatistician
City of Hope National Medical Center

Karen Messer

Professor and Division Chief
Division of Biostatistics at UCSD School of Medicine

John Molitor

Data Scientist & Associate Professor
Oregon State University

Darryl Penenberg, Ph.D.

Director of Inflammation & Immunology
Celgene

LaRee Tracy

Director of Biostatistics
Phastar

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