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A STEM-designated concentration

  • Access Our admissions are focused on creating a broad, diverse cohort of future biostatisticians.

  • Innovate Build skills in the latest techniques in health data analytics.

  • Location Learn in the heart of the Illinois Medical District and build connections for future employment.

The field of biostatistics combines the hard data analysis found in STEM fields to the real-world problems of public health.  From the efforts to decrease the impact of chronic illness to investigating toxic environmental exposures or stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS, biostatisticians are creating complex and effective statistical models to chart public health’s path forward.

At the UIC School of Public Health, our MS degree in Biostatistics is designed to be accessible to students with diverse backgrounds.  An additional concentration in health analytics is also offered. Courses are tailored for students whose undergraduate study includes courses through Calculus II.  Machine-learning and big data courses prepare students for today’s rapidly evolving job market.  With our location in the Illinois Medical District, you can build connections to Chicagoland’s large network of hospitals and pharmaceutical companies through real-life data opportunities for students, in both teaching and RA opportunities.

Next information sessions Heading link

Who is a good fit for this program? Heading link

As long as you are interested in using quantitative skill in the fields of health and medical fields, the MS in Biostatistics will provide you with solid training, regardless of your skill level in quantitative sciences.

  • Students interested in a career in biostatistics

    Immerse in cutting-edge data analysis that prepares you for both careers and PhD programs.

  • Students interested in quantitative sciences

    Develop your quantitative skills in the fields of public health, health data analytics and pharmacy science, where your work will have a tangible impact on health outcomes for people locally and globally.

  • Students interested in public health

    Build on your understanding of social determinants of health and population health with a deep dive into the data science that provides the backing of public health.  Students may need to complete an introductory calculus course at the start of the program.

Chicago's only public research university Heading link

The University of Illinois Chicago is a Carnegie 1 research institution and one of the nation’s top federally funded public research universities. The Wall Street Journal highlights UIC as Illinois’ only university ranked ‘Best Value’ in the nation.

UI Heath is UIC’s academic health enterprise, with a 465-bed hospital, 21 outpatient clinics and 11 federally qualified health centers, all in pursuit of health equity.

Learn more

Professional opportunities for biostatisticians in Chicago Heading link

Illinois Medical District

An aerial view of the Illinois Medical District, with the Chicago Loop and Lake Michigan in the background.

Students build connections and engage in real-world problem solving involving the public and private medical centers that make up the nation’s largest urban medical district.

Pharmaceutical companies

An exterior sign for Abbott Laboratories, stating a slogan:

The Chicagoland area is home to numerous pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, including multinational Abbott Laboratories and Baxter Healthcare.

Hospital demand

The exterior of a large hospital complex.

Chicago is home to 42 hospitals, with nearly 150 other hospitals across the State of Illinois.  Hospitals are in need of biostatistics experts.

The UIC biostatistics MS program helped me prepare for this position by giving me a thorough education in statistical theory and methods, as well as offering interesting courses such as Health Analytics, where I was able to learn about the applications of machine learning methods to healthcare data. I apply these skills directly to my work on a daily basis and am thankful for the high quality education I received from my UIC professors.

Kushi Chhangani  |  R & D Biostatistician, Invitae Corporation

Where our alumni work Heading link

  • Pharma Bristol Meyers Squibb

  • Schools Northwestern University School of Medicine

  • Gov't U.S. Food and Drug Administration

  • Trials Parexel

  • Medicine Mayo Clinic

  • R & D Apellis

  • Hospital Rush University Medical Center

  • Global Xian Jiaotong University

  • Public Cook County Healthcare