Postgraduate Courses in Biostatistics
The BCA is a consortium of biostatistical experts from around Australia with representatives from universities, government and the pharmaceutical industry who have combined to offer a program of postgraduate courses via an alliance of universites collectively known as the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA).
Addressing the Need for Highly Skilled Biostatisticians in Australia
Biostatistics is the discipline that underpins the use of statistical methods in health and medical research. Its foundation is the mathematics of variability and it encompasses the science of designing quantitative research studies and other data collections, managing and analysing data, and interpreting the results.
There is an ongoing shortage of highly skilled biostatisticians in Australia and internationally.
The BCA delivers a program of postgraduate courses that aims to fill a serious gap between current programs in public health and epidemiology (which train users of biostatistical methods, not professional biostatisticians), and general statistics courses (which do not cater to the increasingly diverse and specialised needs of health research).
By combining the best talents from around the country, this collaboration has developed a focused curriculum with a commitment to provide Australia with well-trained professional biostatisticians and upgrade the skills of clinical researchers. The courses provide a sound mathematically-based grounding in statistical methods with a strong emphasis on applications in all areas of health and medical research.
Is this program for me?
See HERE for entry requirements and coursework details.
How and where will I study?
The model involves multiple universities collaborating to develop and deliver a single specialist program. Partner universities fully recognise courses taught by other member universities.
The courses are designed to be studied part-time and all units are delivered by distance learning methods. There are currently 7 Consortium Universities offering the program in biostatistics. You can enrol in your choice of consortium universities , having regard in particular to the availability of local support and supervision. There are, however, no residential requirements. You can study from home and tailor your study program to fit in with work commitments.
How does the BCA work?
See HERE for further information about how the BCA works and how to enrol.
See Future Students for information about the BCA consortium, and program information, including entry requirements, program and individual unit outlines, prerequisite requirements and semester availability.
An income-contingent loans scheme , called FEE-HELP is offered to domestic fee paying postgraduate students by the Australian Government, Department of Education, Science and Training.
Upon Graduation...
Students who have successfully completed their degree, diploma or certificate in biostatistics will graduate from their home university. Graduates receive official acknowledgement of their academic award from this university, ie the university in which they were enrolled and where their student transcript for the course is recorded.
The BCA (represented by all consortium universities collectively) is proud of the achievements of its graduates and acknowledges this by giving a certificate and a letter of congratulations from the BCA Steering Committee to students who have received a (Post)Graduate Diploma or Masters degree.
Star Graduates will receive additional acknowledgment in the letter and certificate.
A Star Graduate is a graduate from the Masters or (Post)Graduate Diploma who has an overall average of at least 85%, and has achieved a mark of 85% or more in all, or all but one, units of study. |
