Pharmaceutical Statistics

Director: Ken Cheung, PhD

Competencies

The MS in Biostatistics Pharmaceutical Statistics Track provides study design, research, and biostatistics skills to individuals seeking to begin a career in the industry. By the end of the experience, graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the correct use of probability distributions within biostatistics and public health. 
  • Apply appropriate statistical methodology to analyze and interpret data from the public health, biomedical, or bioinformatics arena. 
  • Implement advanced techniques using statistical software to prepare written and oral presentations for disseminating findings.  
  • Apply principles of clinical trial design.
  • Explain regulatory aspects of new drug development.

Required Courses

Those applying to the MS in Pharmaceutical Statistics should have a strong background in mathematics (at least two semesters of calculus) and experience or interest in working in the pharmaceutical industry. Students must complete a minimum of 35 credits of coursework to earn the MS/PS degree, of which 30 points must be taken at Columbia Mailman.

Up to two electives may be taken pass/fail, especially to encourage students to take courses outside their field of experience. Note that some courses in the required curriculum may be waived based on prior graduate-level coursework with approval from the course instructor. In this event, the student may substitute another, more advanced course in place of the waived course. Credits from waived courses do not count towards the degree.  

View Courses in the Biostatistics MS Handbook

Sample Timeline

Below is a sample timeline for MS/PS candidates. Note that course schedules change from year to year, so that class days/times in future years will differ from the sample schedule below; you must check the current course schedule for each year on the course directory page.

Fall I 

  • P8130: Biostatistical Methods I
  • P8104: Probability
  • P6400: Principles of Epidemiology I

Spring I

  • P6170: New Drug Development: A Regulatory Overview
  • P8140: Introduction to Randomized Clinical Trials
  • P8120: Analysis of Categorical Data
  • Elective

Fall II

  • P6110: Statistical Computing in SAS
  • P8142: Clinical Trial  Methodology (or P8133 Adaptive Designs)
  • P8180: Research Data Coordination
  • Elective

Spring II

  • P8144: Pharmaceutical Statistics
  • P8185: Capstone Consulting Seminar
  • Completion of practicum requirements

Practicum Requirement

One term of practical experience is required of all students, providing educational opportunities that are different from and supplementary to the more academic aspects of the program. The practicum may be fulfilled during the school year or over the summer. Arrangements are made on an individual basis in consultation with faculty advisors who must approve both the proposed practicum project prior to its initiation, and the report submitted at the conclusion of the practicum experience. Students will be required to make a poster presentation at the department’s Annual Practicum Poster Symposium which is held in early May.

Capstone Experience

A formal, culminating experience for the MS degree is required for graduation. The capstone consulting seminar is designed to enable students to demonstrate their ability to integrate their academic studies with the role of biostatistical consultant/collaborator, which will comprise the major portion of their future professional practice.  

As part of the seminar, students are required to attend several sessions of the Biostatistics Consulting Service (BCS). The Consultation Service offers advice on data analysis and appropriate methods of data presentation for publications, and provides design recommendations for public health and clinical research, including preparation of grant proposals. Biostatistics faculty and research staff members conduct all consultation sessions with students observing, modeling, and participating in the consultations.

In the capstone seminar, students present their experience and the statistical issues that emerged in their consultations, developing statistical report writing and presentation skills essential to their professional practice in biomedical and public health research projects.

Contact

 biostats@cumc.columbia.edu

More information on Admission Requirements.