The Graduate Certificate consists of 4 units and provides an introduction to the field of biostatistics. It does not contain the full set of skills required to be a biostatistician. Students completing the Graduate Certificate will have a good understanding of the principles of epidemiology and some aspects of biostatistics.

The BCA program was designed to be done part-time. At two units per semester, the Graduate Certificate can be completed in one year.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, students will:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the value and basic principles of biostatistical methods in health and medical research
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of epidemiology and its biostatistical underpinnings
3. Have acquired skills in data management and basic statistical analyses
4. Have developed the practical and technical skills to progress to further postgraduate studies in biostatistics.

For the Graduate Certificate, the Biostatistics Research/Practical Project/Thesis (WPP) is not a requirement.

The Masters consists of 12 units of study; comprising 10 or 11 coursework units of study plus a 1 or 2 unit Biostatistics Research/Practical Project/Thesis (WPP). The BCA program was designed to be done part-time. At two units per semester, the Masters can be completed in three years.

Compulsory units for the Masters program include: Epidemiology, Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics, Data Management and Statistical Computing, Principles of Statistical Inference, Regression Modelling for Biostatistics 1, Regression Modelling for Biostatistics 2 and Biostatistics Research/Practical Project/Thesis (WPP). Some students may substitute electives for units of study such as Epidemiology, Mathematical Foundations for Biostatistics, or Principles of Statistical Inference, if they have equivalent prior study.

Students enrolled in the Masters program can complete up to two elective units from outside of the pool of BCA electives. These electives can be chosen from the list of endorsed courses/programs at their home university.

On completion of the Masters degree graduates will have attained the required skills for employment as a biostatistician.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, students will:

1. Have developed a sound understanding of epidemiological study design and the theory and application of the major areas of biostatistics relevant to professional practice
2. Have acquired skills in complex statistical analyses to handle a variety of practical problems using modern statistical techniques and software
3. Have acquired skills in data collection and data management, including database design, quality control procedures and the ethical handling of data
4. Have developed skills to identify the relevant statistical issues in practical problems in medical/health settings and to propose and implement an appropriate statistical design and/or analysis methodology
5. Have developed skills and had experience in communication of biostatistical issues with clinical/health personnel and the presentation of statistical results in a format suitable for publication in health-related journals or professional reports
6. Have acquired the technical skills to be able to read methodological papers in the biostatistical literature and apply the methods described therein to practical problems
7. Have developed the practical and technical skills to commence professional careers as independent biostatisticians and/or to progress to further postgraduate research studies
8. Be able to demonstrate an understanding of professional codes of conduct and ethical standards such as those of the Statistical Society of Australia
9. Have developed problem solving abilities in biostatistics, characterised by flexibility of approach