PhD in Biostatistics Admissions, Eligibility, Specializations, Colleges, Syllabus, Books, 2023

PhD in Biostatistics develops deep expertise in the theory and practice of biostatistics and bioinformatics. Candidates learn to work with big data and use powerful statistical tools to drive discovery using complex datasets.

Candidates also get to conduct original research in collaboration with laboratory, clinical, and biomedical scientists from around the globe to identify and solve problems that threaten the lives and health of people everywhere.

Also Find The Entire List of the Best PhD Biostatistics Colleges in India Here

PhD in biostatistics is a 3-year post-graduate course. The program is curated for individuals with solid quantitative skills and a background in the biological, health sciences or medical. The course is perfect for students pursuing deep knowledge of biostatistics through advanced course work, analysis, research and collaboration.

nstitutes take their own entrance exam followed by case studies and interviews. Admission to PhD Biostatistics courses could also be merit-based, i.e. on the basis of marks scored by the candidates in their qualifying exam.

The fees for PhD Biostatistics courses range from INR 15,000 to 40,000 per year depending on the institute. With a PhD in biostatistics, candidates have a high probability of making a career in academia or a research or leadership role in government or within the health care, pharmaceutical, or biomedical industries.

Students pursuing this program find opportunities in careers such as Research Officers, Scientist, Biostatistician, and Statistician. The average salary offered is around INR 4.5 LPA.

PhD in Biostatistics Course Highlights

A summary of the course is given below in the form of the table:

Course Level Post Graduate
Full form PhD in Biostatistics
Duration 3 - 5 years
Examination type Semester
Eligibility Graduate from a recognized university in an equivalent domain
Admission process Entrance exam based OR merit based
Course fee INR 15,000 to 40,000 per year
Average Salary Starting from INR 4.5 LPA
Top Recruiting Companies Novartis, Sandoz, CIBA, Cadilla
Top recruiting area Medicine, Pharma, genetics, genomics, neuroscience
Job Positions Data Analyst, Research Analyst, Assistant Professor, Biostatistician, Data Interpreter, Lecturer, Research Scholar, Content Developer, Teaching Associates, Asst. Professor & Lecturer, etc.

PhD in Biostatistics: What Is It About?

PhD in Biostatistics is a rare field which is pursued by students. The competition is less as compared to in other fields. The detailed information of the course PhD in Biostatistics is given below:

  • PhD in Biostatistics full form is Doctor of Philosophy [Biostatistics]. It is the highest university course in Biostatistics.
  • The program is focused towards the graduate students who look out for a career as a professional, academic in biomedical or epidemiologic sciences.
  • The program meets the needs of the health professionals who desires to continue with public health training and attain an advanced and more specific degree and the statistician who aspires to focus in statistical learning for biomedical uses.
  • The program focuses on statistical theory and methods so that students are ready to be effective statistical collaborators in interdisciplinary studies; form biostatistics methodology and lead the design and execution of studies;
  • PhD Biostatistics students will find jobs in the R&D departments of leading pharma and medical companies. Biostatistics students can also also enter the teaching industry thereby sharing their knowledge to the future aspirants of this course

Why PhD in Biostatistics? 

Candidates can choose PhD in Biostatistics due to it following advantages:

  • Students are introduced to information related to probability and measure theory, analysis of correlated and longitudinal data, categorical data analysis and survival analysis
  • This course along with students’ experience within the laboratory and in the classroom as teachers, give them the opportunity to better prepare for careers as researchers and academics
  • Biostatisticians play a unique role in safeguarding public health and improving lives through quantitative research. By linking across quantitative disciplines, they are able to work together with other biomedical researchers to find and solve problems that are threats to health and to quality of life.
  • One of the biggest benefits of pursuing a PhD in biostatistics concentration and seeking a job or advancing their career in public health is that students will never find themselves divorced from real world issues. Each project they work on will relate to pressing issues that scientists, mathematicians, politicians, and public health experts deal with on a daily basis.
  • As an expert in biostatistics, students may have many career opportunities to consider in a wide variety of fields. While many could be lucrative, personally rewarding, professionally satisfying, or all of the above, not all will enable them to contribute to the greater good

What is the PhD in Biostatistics Admission Process?

Admission to PhD in Biostatistics program is through entrance examination or merit-based. An interview process is conducted by some institutes for the final selection of the candidates. Applications forms can be availed either from the official website of the college or by visiting the Admissions Office. Candidates need to fill out the required details according to the existing documents.

Merit-Based

Few colleges offer admission on the basis of the marks obtained by the students in the qualifying examinations. The procedure of admission is detailed below:

  • Candidates shall fill up the application form of their desired college either online or by downloading it, filling it up offline and sending to the college address
  • Candidates should fill correct information (specially marks obtained in their last education qualification) and send the form along with the documents for verification
  • The application fee can be submitted either online or through Demand Draft as per the college requirements
  • The college declares the list of the selected students based on the marks of the qualifying examination

Entrance Exam

For the colleges that provide admission through entrance examinations, students can follow the below guidelines to apply:

  • Candidates should fill up the application forms
  • Candidates then sit for the entrance exams
  • College declares the list of the students selected for further rounds of Interview
  • Candidates have to undergo the interview process post which the college comes up with the list of final selects

What is the PhD in Biostatistics Minimum Eligibility Criteria? 

Candidates wishing to apply for PhD Biostatistics course should have the following eligibility criteria

  • Postgraduate in the equivalent discipline.
  • A minimum aggregate score of 50% in post-graduation.
  • Candidates awaiting their post-graduation examinations’ results are also eligible to apply on a provisional basis

Which Ph.D. in Biostatistics Entrance Exams Are Held in India?

Many colleges across the countries conduct their own entrance examinations for selecting students for Ph.D. in Biostatistics. These examinations are conducted at state and national level. Some of these important Ph.D. entrance exams are:

Exam Name Application Period Exam Date
UGC NET (July Session)  December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023 February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023
CSIR UGC NET (June Session)  2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023  3rd week of June 2023
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF     To be Announced To be Announced

How to Prepare for Ph.D. in Biostatistics Entrance Exam? 

To get into a good Ph.D. in Biostatistics college, preparation is of utmost importance. Below are some points which mentions few tips on the preparation for students:

  • Syllabus: Students should go through the syllabus of the course and highlight all the important topics from syllabus
  • Revise important topics: Revise all the significant themes from the syllabus.
  • Exam Pattern: Understand the exam pattern carefully; usually the exam has two sections – one section contains general objective type questions and the other section contains questions related to the concerned subject
  • Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solve previous year’s question paper which will help in increasing the speed as the exam will be in online mode
  • Update Yourself with Current Affairs: Students should be updated with the current affairs as questions related to current affairs are also asked. This knowledge also helps the students during their interviews
  • Mock Test: Candidates can solve and give the online mock test at the official website. It increases their efficiency, speed and confidence

How to Get Admission in Top PhD in Biostatistics College?

A good college paves the way for a good start in the corporate. Candidates should keep the following things in mind to get an admission in a good PhD in Biostatistics college:

  • Candidates should perform exceptionally well in the entrance exams of the colleges because which would help them to get admission
  • For applying to colleges which provides admission on the basis of merit, candidates should have high marks in their qualifying exams which would help them to clear the cut off
  • Candidates must be updated with the deadlines of filling the application forms of the entrance exams and colleges through websites, newspapers and magazines
  • Practice previous year papers to improve time management skills at the time of entrance exams

What is the Ph.D. in Biostatistics Syllabus?

A detailed PhD in Biostatistics syllabus is mentioned below:

Subjects of Study
Large Sample Theory Genetic Data Analysis
Advanced Biostatistical Methods I Clinical Trials Methods
Advanced Biostatistical Methods II Advanced Clinical Trials Methods
Biostatistical Computing Applied Survival Analysis
Analysis of Categorical Data Nonparametric Statistics
Analysis of Multivariate Data Multivariate Analysis

Which are the Best Ph.D. in Biostatistics Books? 

Book Author
Statistics as Principled Argument Abelson
The Cult of Statistical Significance Ziliak and McCloskey
Regression Modeling Strategies Harrell
The Elements of Graphing Data and Visualizing Data Cleveland
Statistics FreedPh.D. et al.

Which are the Top Ph.D. in Biostatistics Colleges?

Some of the top PhD in Biostatistics colleges in India are described in the table below:

College Rank College Name AvePh.D.e Annual Fees (INR) Average annual Salary
40 Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal INR 59000 INR 4.5 LPA
-- Rama University, Kanpur INR 2,00,000 INR 4 LPA
-- KLE University, Belgaum INR 78,000 INR 7 LPA
-- National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science, Bangalore INR 29,950 INR 5 LPA
-- International Institute for population Science, Mumbai INR 42,200 INR 4.75 LPA
-- Mahatma Gandhi Mission Institute of Health Sciences, Mumbai INR 80,000 INR 5 LPA

PhD in Biostatistics vs PhD Statistics: Which is Better? 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics and PhD in Statistics degree programs have akin graduation requirements. The difference lies in the academic curriculum.  The Biostatistics course offers a specific training in the sub-discipline, whereas statistics course offers a larger overview of the field. Key differences in the programs are detailed below:

Parameters PhD in Biostatistics PhD [Statistics]
Full Form Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biostatistics Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Statistics
Domain Science Mathematics
Objective PhD in Biostatistics programs usually take around 4 years to complete and train students in the specific area of applied statistics dealing with research in the biology and health fields PhD in Statistics programs gets completed in 4 to 5 years. The course train students in both the theory and application of statistics to a wide range of fields, such as finance, computer science, and public policy
Examination type Semester Semester
Admission process Merit or Entrance exam Entrance Exam or Merit
Job Opportunities Law enforcement administrator, Emergency management director, Administrative services manager, Community development director, City manager Consultants, Statistician at labs, Programmer at game companies, Finance quant, Marketing quan

What is the Ph.D. in Biostatistics Job Profiles and Career Aspects? 

Candidates who go into a PhD program in Biostatistics will learn to use quantitative methods to develop an innovative statistical methodology or adapt existing methods to solve both simple and complex health problems. 

They are able to convey their findings in a way that is understandable to a non-statistician. But the rigorous course, both theoretical and hands-on in nature also makes it possible for students to join the industry in various fields.

Some of the job options are mentioned below:

Job Position Job Description Average Annual Salary
Mathematicians and Statisticians Mathematicians and statisticians work to formulate new rules within the field of mathematics. They develop theories and techniques that are then used to solve problems in areas such as science, business, healthcare, and engineering. The role involves collecting data by the use of opinion polls, surveys, or experiments INR 3,50,000
Survey Researchers Survey researchers create surveys which help in answering important questions for business and ultimately make informed decisions. They focus their survey in one area for collecting data from the same groups. After collecting this data, they then use statistical techniques and software to analyze and visualize the data INR 4,12,000
Postsecondary Mathematical Science Teachers Postsecondary mathematical science teachers teach students statistics, mathematical concepts, actuarial science, and the application of standard mathematical techniques in the area of problem-solving. INR 5,00,000
Biostatisticians Biostatisticians conduct research and experiments to find how a person's traits affects the helpfulness of a particular treatment or medication. They also help to regulate the best way to arrange resources during the treatment of a population. Their role also includes to treat the individuals without the spread of diseases. INR 585549
Senior Research Scientists (Biotechnology) Senior research scientists (biotechnology) create new products by using their expertise in the field of biology, chemistry, or mathematics. They create products which aid in the preservation of food, crop growth, or advance food safety. INR 5,00,000

What is the Ph.D. in Biostatistics Future Scope? 

With the need for data exhaustive study in so many domains, biostatistics is one way where statistics has been altered for a particular purpose. 

  • The course includes the development and use of statistical techniques to explore in health-related fields, such as genetics, neuroscience and genomics. 
  • The most common path after this course is that of academia, industry or government. However, the majority of biostatisticians are prepared in a way to apply their education in varied fields. Many biostatistics graduates also end up in high tech.
  • Aspiring professionals find many opportunities to work in the healthcare field as the growth in the field is immense. 
  • According to a report, employment in health care industry is likely to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, thereby adding about 1.9 million new jobs. 
  • Health care industry is projected to add more jobs in comparison to any other occupational groups.

Ph.D. in Biostatistics FAQs 

Ques. What is the course duration of PhD in Biostatistics?

Ans. PhD in Biostatistics has a course duration of three to five years.

Ques. Is there any PhD in Biostatistics entrance exams conducted in India?

Ans. Yes, there are a few entrance exams conducted for admission to the PhD in Biostatistics course. Few entrance exams are NIMHANS, RUET, UGC-NET, etc.

Ques. What is the educational qualification required for admission to the PhD in Biostatistics course?

Ans. Eligibility for admission to this course is minimum of 50% in graduation in a related domain from a recognized institute or university. Students in their final year of post-graduation can also apply for the course.

Ques. What jobs can I get with a degree in PhD in Biostatistics?

Ans. There are several job opportunities after completing PhD in Biostatistics. Some of the job roles include Data Analyst, Research Analyst, Assistant Professor, Biostatistician, Data Interpreter, Lecturer, Research Scholar, Content Developer, Teaching Associates, Asst. Professor & Lecturer, etc.

Ques. What is the admission procedure for PhD in Biostatistics?

Ans. Few colleges admits the candidates on the basis of merit whereas few colleges conducts their own entrance tests. Candidates should check the college website to learn about a particular college’s admission process.

Ques. What is the scope of PhD in Biostatistics?

Ans. With a PhD in biostatistics candidates will be prepared for a high-impact career in academia or a research or leadership role in government or within the health care, pharmaceutical, or biomedical industries.

Ques. What are some top PhD in Biostatistics college in India?

Ans. Some of the top PhD in Biostatistics colleges in India are: Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Rama University, KLE University, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Science

Ques. What is the average fee for the course PhD in Biostatistics?

Ans. The fee ranges from INR 15,000 to 40,000 per year depending on the college.

Ques. Is the Biostatistics PhD program offered online?

Ans. No, the Biostatistics PhD program is not currently offered online. However, some courses in PhD minor areas are offered online.

Ques. Is there a time limit for courses that may be applied toward a Biostatistics PhD program?

Ans. Biostatistics PhD courses must be completed within seven years of the student taking the oral qualifying exam. Courses taken more than seven years prior to taking the qualifying exam must be revalidated before they can be applied to the PhD program.

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