Biostatistics (BIOSTAT) 1

BIOSTATISTICS (BIOSTAT) variance, linear regression, analysis of categorical data and Bayesian
methods. A working knowledge of college calculus I and II is essential.
Prerequisite: BIOSTAT 303-0.
BIOSTAT 301-0 Introduction to Epidemiology (1 Unit)
BIOSTAT 429-0 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in the Medical
This course introduces epidemiology and its uses for population health
Sciences (1 Unit)
research. Concepts include measures of disease occurrence, common
This course covers statistical methods for meta-analysis. Concepts
sources and types of data, important study designs, sources of error in
include fixed-effects and random-effects models, measures of
epidemiologic studies and epidemiologic methods.
heterogeneity, prediction intervals, meta regression, power assessment,
BIOSTAT 302-0 Introduction to Biostatistics (1 Unit) subgroup analysis and assessment of publication bias. The course
This course introduces principles of biostatistics and applications will emphasize basic theory and underlying statistical methods,
of statistical methods in health and medical research. Concepts computational approaches and interpretation of results from published
include descriptive statistics, basic probability, probability distributions, studies.
estimation, hypothesis testing, correlation and simple linear regression.
BIOSTAT 445-0 Introduction to Statistical Learning (1 Unit)
BIOSTAT 303-0 Introduction to Probability Theory (1 Unit) Due to advances in technology and data collection, the ability
This course introduces probability as the theoretical framework to analyze complex data sets is a necessary skill for all clinical,
underlying statistical methods. Concepts include random variables, translational and population researchers. A variety of data analysis
discrete and continuous probability distributions, multivariate tools exist, some unique to specific domains. This course provides an
distributions, and random variable transformations. A working knowledge introduction to the data, analysis tools, ethical considerations, and
of differential / integral calculus and matrix algebra fundamentals is terminologies from across biomedical data science with an emphasis
required. on clinical, translational and population methods and tools. Prerequisite
BIOSTAT 305-0 Data Management and Analysis in SAS (1 Unit) BIOSTAT 302-0.
This course provides a thorough working introduction to the statistical BIOSTAT 446-0 Design, Conduct and Analysis of Clinical Trials (1 Unit)
programming language SAS. Concepts focus on practical issues relating This course introduces commonly used designs for clinical trials,
to data management, statistical data processing and SAS programming. methods for randomization, blinding and sample size determination,
Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 302-0. choice of controls, collaborative/multicenter trial requirements and
BIOSTAT 306-0 R Programming (1 Unit) operational issues, data management and data quality issues, interim
This course provides a thorough working introduction to the statistical analysis methods, critical review of clinical trial results and statistical
programming language R. Concepts focus on practical issues including: techniques for analyzing data. Prerequisite BIOSTAT 305-0 and
installing and configuring the RStudio development environment; loading BIOSTAT 402-0.
and managing data in R; accessing R packages; writing R functions; BIOSTAT 499-0 Independent Study (0.5-1 Unit)
writing R scripts; debugging and profiling R scripts; organizing and The Independent Study provides practical training using statistical
commenting R code; and developing dynamic analysis reports using R consultation projects. After a brief introduction of the data, students will
MarkDown. Topics in biostatistical data analysis will provide relevant check the data, perform preliminary data analysis, orally present their
working examples. statistical approach, modeling, findings, and interpretation of the result,
BIOSTAT 390-0 Emerging Topics in Biostatistics (1 Unit) and write a report. Students will be evaluated by the quality of their oral
This course is student interest-driven; the student(s) will each select presentation and project report.
topic(s) related to clinical trials that they would like to understand in BIOSTAT 501-0 Advanced Epidemiology (1 Unit)
greater depth. The course will function much like a journal club, and each This course builds on material learned in previous Biostatistics
student will present on his/her specified topics. Those not presenting will and Epidemiology courses. Concepts are applied to the design,
be responsible for review and critique of the discussion. implementation, analysis, and interpretation of observational
BIOSTAT 401-0 Intermediate Epidemiology (1 Unit) epidemiologic studies (cross-sectional, case-control and cohort).
The purpose of this course is to elaborate on concepts introduced in Students enrolled in a degree program outside of the MS in Biostatistics
introductory epi, demonstrate how these concepts are frequently applied must have the consent of the instructor.
in biomedical literature, and to provide an overview of the physiology, Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 305-0, BIOSTAT 401-0, BIOSTAT 402-0.
pathophysiology, and epidemiology of prevalent diseases in the US. BIOSTAT 502-0 Advanced Biostatistics (1 Unit)
Prerequisite: BIOSTAT 301-0. This course covers analysis of correlated response data arising from
BIOSTAT 402-0 Intermediate Biostatistics (1 Unit) longitudinal studies. Concepts include marginal and mixed-effects
This course provides an intermediate-level treatment of linear and regression models for continuous and discrete outcomes measured
logistic regression models, including model estimation and inference, repeatedly over time, model building techniques, robust inference
model building and diagnostics, and interpretation of results in the procedures and problems associated with missing data. All modeling and
context of epidemiologic and clinical studies. The focus is on practical numerical analyses will be done using SAS.
application of regression models for data analysis. The course uses R Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 302-0, BIOSTAT 305-0, BIOSTAT 402-0, or
statistical software for data analysis. Prerequisites BIOSTAT 302-0 and instructor approval.
BIOSTAT 306-0. BIOSTAT 521-0 Survival Data Analysis (1 Unit)
BIOSTAT 403-0 Statistical Inference (1 Unit) This courses provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts
This course introduces statistical inference concepts and applied and methods developed for analysis of survival data for which
statistical techniques for data analysis in a mathematical framework. incompleteness, including censoring, is a primary feature. Classic non-
Concepts include point and interval estimation, maximum likelihood, parametric estimation approaches will be discussed, as will semi-
large sample theory, hypothesis testing, bootstrap methods, analysis of parametric and parametric hazard regression modeling techniques that

Biostatistics (BIOSTAT) 1
2 Biostatistics (BIOSTAT)

allow incorporation of covariates. Analysis examples using both R and

SAS will be discussed.
Prerequisite: BIOSTAT 403-0.
BIOSTAT 522-0 Network Data Analysis (0.5 Unit)
This course introduces analytic methods and computational
resources for network data analysis. It provides an overview dealing
computationally with graph and network data structures, describing
networks through node and edges statistics and overall topology, and
identifying cliques and clusters in graphs. Gaussian graphical models,
subnetwork identification and differential network analysis will be
introduced.
Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 302-0, BIOSTAT 306-0, BIOSTAT 402-0.
BIOSTAT 527-0 Statistical Methods for Missing Data (0.5 Unit)
This course provides students with a basic knowledge of the potential
implications of missing data on their data analyses as well as potential
solutions. A major focus of the course is multiple imputation including
discussions of the general framework, different models and algorithms,
and the basic theory. Statistical programming is performed in R.
Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 306-0, BIOSTAT 402-0, BIOSTAT 403-0.
BIOSTAT 529-0 Statistical Genetics and Genomic Data Analysis (0.5
Unit)
This course equips students with key principles and practical skills to
analyze genetic data. Topics range from linkage analysis using pedigree
data to machine learning techniques using next-generation sequencing
data. Statistical programming is performed in R.
Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 306-0, BIOSTAT 403-0, or instructor approval.
BIOSTAT 560-0 Statistical Consulting (0.5 Unit)
This course prepares students for collaboration and communication with
scientists of various disciplines, emphasizing analytical tools, verbal and
written communication skills and presentation skills. Concepts include
sample size and power calculation, handling of various data structures,
data presentation, selecting appropriate statistical methods, time and
project management, reproducible research, report writing and grant
writing.
Prerequisites: BIOSTAT 302-0 and BIOSTAT 402-0.
BIOSTAT 561-0 Thesis (0.5 Unit)
All MS in Biostatistics students are required to submit a master's thesis
focusing on a collaborative data analysis or a statistical methodology
advancement. Thesis projects are proposed in the fall, and content
is developed primarily in late fall / winter. Written, poster and oral
presentations are due in the spring.
BIOSTAT 565-0 Clinical Database Management (0.5 Unit)
This course serves as an introduction to data management in the
clinical research setting. The Research Electronic Data Capture
(REDCap) platform is used to understand basic database design, data
management and quality monitoring concepts for studies ranging from
simple cross-sectional designs to complex multi-center clinical trials.
Students enrolled in this course must complete CITI training through the
Northwestern University IRB Office before the first class session.

2 Biostatistics (BIOSTAT)