Department of Biostatistics

Christian Medical College

MSc in Biostatistics

(Affiliated with TN Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai)

Applying Statistics to Biology, Medicine, Public Health, and Drug Development

Apply online at
www.admissions.cmcvellore.ac.in
(M.Sc., Biostatistics under group B)

 

For further details about CMC and Department of Biostatistics
www.cmch-vellore.edu
www.cmc-biostatistics.ac.in

I.  Overview

Biostatistics involves development and application of statistical methods to scientific research in areas such as medicine, public and environmental health and genetics. Biostatisticians play an inevitable role in designing the studies, analyzing data, presenting findings and creating new methods for addressing problems.. Biostatisticians interact and work in close collaboration with clinicians, basic scientists, and public health researchers. One of the strength of CMC Biostatistics department is the well established links with clinical research units and epidemiology centres with which our faculty members collaborate and consult in research projects that provide high quality biomedical research projects and opportunities for postgraduate teaching and research work.

The MSc in Biostatistics Programme

The MSc programme was created to help meet the ever-growing demand for biostatisticians. It is a two-year full-time Master programme is designed to produce graduates who could function as biostatisticians or biostatistical consultants. Therefore, the programme provides students with extensive background and practical training in statistical methods, as specifically applied to the problems in the clinical  and public health sciences. The programme is unique in its balanced approach that integrates competencies on statistical analysis, epidemiological research methods, and communication proficiency.

II. Admission

The candidates who possess undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree in the following are eligible to apply for this course:

  1. Degree with Statistics as the Main Branch (or)
  2. Degree in any subject with Statistics as Ancillary/Allied subject.

Applications to the programme can be made online here:

www.admissions.cmcvellore.ac.in

(M.Sc., Biostatistics under group B)

Commencement of the course:

The academic year of the MSc (Biostatistics) Post-graduate Degree course shall commence from November of each year.

Course fees (Approximate)

1. 22,980/- for 1st year (including admission fee)

2. 10,080/- for 2nd year

Scholarship

Scholarships are available to the deserving candidates on scrutiny by the scholarship committee of CMC.

Accommodation

The accommodation is provided for all students.  Separate hostels are available for male and female students within the campus.

III Degree requirements

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and practical assignments. Students have 24 hours access to computing facilities with up-to-date statistical software (SAS, STATA, SPSS, S plus and R).

  • Degree requirements are to be completed in two years, and students should complete the course in 4 years, failing which student will be discharged from the course.
  • The degree requires successful completion of written examination of both theory and practical courses.
  • Completion of master’s thesis. The master’s thesis is carried out during the second year, in which students will work with a member of department staff on research problems from the field of Biostatistics.
  • In the second year, active participation in statistical consultations postings in clinical epidemiology unit (CEU) and in consultations provided by the department staff to clinical researchers

 IV Course Content

The M.Sc.,(Biostatistics) course contents following topics:

S.No. First Year Second Year
1 Paper – I : Probability and Distribution Theory Paper – I : Applied Regression Methods
2 Paper – II : Epidemiology and Design of Experiments Paper – II : Applied Multivariate Analysis and Time Series Analysis
3 Paper – III : Statistical Inference, Sampling Methods and Sample Size Paper – III : Clinical Trial and its Management
4 Paper – IV :  Demography and Health Data Management Practicals – II
Practicals – I Dissertation and Viva

During second year all students undertake a supervised project. The type of work involves methodological development and data analysis. Students present their project and write a formal dissertation.

V. Career

There is an acute shortage of well-trained biostatisticians in India and employment opportunities are excellent. Master level biostatisticians are employed in number of fields:

  • Public health research organizations
  • University research groups
  • Hospitals
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Government work

Since the inception of the Masters program. 95 students were graduated and have been employed by academic research units, the pharmaceutical industry and contract research organizations, and Government research organizations (figure) .

Career Statistics