Biostatistics, B.S. to Health Data Science, M.S. Accelerated Program
Saint Louis University's accelerated B.S. in Biostatistics/M.S. in Health Data Science is designed for students who demonstrate academic success in the biostatistics major and related coursework. The B.S. in Biostatistics is offered through the College for Public Health and Social Justice, accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. The degree uses the American Statistical Association's guidelines for undergraduate data health sciences.
This accelerated program enables biostatistics majors to obtain their undergraduate and master's degrees in five years; they then enter the workforce up to a year earlier than with a traditional two-year master's program. Students apply to the accelerated program during their fifth semester of collegiate study, and accepted students begin graduate coursework during their senior year. Students retain undergraduate status, financial aid and tuition rates until their undergraduate degree is conferred after year four. At that time, students attain official graduate student status, pay graduate tuition, and become eligible for graduate assistantships.
For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following programs:
SLU students in the biostatistics major who meet the eligibility requirements may apply in the fall semester of their junior year.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Students must be in their fifth semester of collegiate study.
- Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, and a mathematics/statistics GPA of 3.40.
- Students must demonstrate a plan to complete 90 of the 120 credits required for their biostatistics major by the beginning of their fourth year of studies.
- Students must be eligible to complete the accelerated curriculum with no more than 15 credits during each semester during year four of the program.
- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Saint Louis University and the College for Public Health & Social Justice.
- Students must demonstrate the potential for leadership in Biostatistics; this can be done through engagement in volunteer activities or work experience.
Application procedures and program details are outlined in the CPHSJ Undergraduate Public Health Student Handbook.
The accelerated B.S./M.S. program allows students to use up to 15 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
| Prerequisites for Major Courses | ||
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 2530 | Calculus III | 4 |
| Required Biostatistics Major Courses | ||
| BST 3000 | Intro to Statistical Computing | 3 |
| BST 3100 | Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
| BST 3200 | Applied Biostatistics II | 3 |
| BST 4100 | Theory of Biostatistics I | 3 |
| BST 4200 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
| BST 4400 | Introduction to Applied Data Management | 3 |
| EPI 4000 | Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice | 3 |
| PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health ‡ | 3 |
| PUBH 3200 | Evidence Based Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 4100 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
| General Elective Courses | ||
| Select an additional 43-46 credits of general electives to achieve the minimum 120 credits for graduation. | 43-46 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Level Requirements | 30 | |
| Students in the Accelerated Program are allowed to 'double count' 15 credits of coursework to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. | ||
- ‡
Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement.
Continuation Standards
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.00, with a MATH and BST GPA of 3.40 in order to participate in the graduate program
- Minimum grade of B- in all graduate-level courses
- Minimum grade of C in all B.S. in Biostatistics major courses
- Minimum grade of C- in all core courses
- Minimum grade of D in all remaining general elective courses counting toward the minimum 120 credits required for graduation
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CORE 1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar | 2-3 |
| CORE 1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community | 1 |
| CORE 1900 | Eloquentia Perfecta 1: Written and Visual Communication | 3 |
| PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I | 4 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II | 4 |
| CORE 1600 | Ultimate Questions: Theology | 3 |
| BST 3000 | Intro to Statistical Computing | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| BST 3100 | Applied Biostatistics I | 3 |
| CORE 1200 | Eloquentia Perfecta 2: Oral and Visual Communication | 3 |
| CORE 1700 | Ultimate Questions: Philosophy | 3 |
| MATH 2530 | Calculus III | 4 |
| General Elective: Dignity, Ethics & a Just Society Attribute | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| BST 3200 | Applied Biostatistics II | 3 |
| CORE 2500 | Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation | 0 |
| EPI 4000 | Intro Epidemiology: Foundations & Practice | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective: Identities in Context Attribute | 3 | |
| General Elective: Global Interdependence | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Critical course: Eligible students formally apply to the Accelerated Program. | ||
| BST 4100 | Theory of Biostatistics I | 3 |
| CORE 2800 | Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression | 2-3 |
| CORE 3400 | Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture | 3 |
| PUBH 3200 | Evidence Based Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 4100 | Biological Basis of Public Health | 3 |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Department reviews applications, conducts interviews, and qualified students are notified of acceptance. | ||
| BST 4200 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
| CORE 3600 | Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| CORE 4000 | Collaborative Inquiry | 2-3 |
| General Elective: Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| General Elective: Reflection in Action Attribute | 3 | |
| Credits | 14-15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Formal participation in the Accelerated Program begins. Students maintain undergrad status and take a maximum of 15 credits. | ||
| BST 4400 | Introduction to Applied Data Management | 3 |
| CORE 3500 | Cura Personalis 3: Self in the World | 1 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective: Accelerated Students substitute a Graduate Level Course | 3 | |
| General Elective: Accelerated Students substitute a Graduate Level Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Students take a maximum of 15 credits. B.S. degree is conferred in May. | ||
| BST 4200 | Theory of Biostatistics II | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective: Accelerated Students substitute a Graduate Level Course | 3 | |
| General Elective: Accelerated Students substitute a Graduate Level Course | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 122-125 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Level Courses | 30 | |
| Accelerated students double count up to 15 credits of coursework between the undergraduate program and the graduate program. | ||
- ‡
Fulfills the cultural diversity core requirement.
Refer to the B.S. in Biostatistics roadmap for a list of approved English, fine arts and social science classes.
For additional questions about undergraduate admission, please contact:
Katie Linnenbrink
Administrative Assistant
Tegeler Hall 300 West
314-977-3934
katie.linnenbrink@slu.edu