Master's Degree in Biostatistics
Riga, Latvia
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Master's Degree in Biostatistics at Rīga Stradiņš University offers classrooms and software (R, SAS, SPSS, STATA). The curriculum has four blocks: statistics, medicine, epidemiology and clinical trials. Teaching mixes lectures, interactive classes, simulation and project- and problem-based learning. The programme was developed with the University of Latvia, University of Tartu, Uppsala University and University of Gothenburg. Accredited until 31.12.2023.
Career Outcomes: Graduates work as biostatisticians in pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations (CROs) and in academia. Roles: clinical data manager, research statistician or healthcare data analyst, applying skills in statistical analysis, clinical trials, epidemiology and data science.
The Master's Degree in Biostatistics program's students has access to well-equipped auditoriums and modern computer classrooms with the latest logistical resources, IT equipment, statistical software (R, SAS, IBM SPSS Statistics, STATA), audio and video equipment, interactive whiteboards, as well as a library with extensive research databases from around the world.
The program includes 4 main study course blocks:
Statistics Courses
on classical and innovative methods for processing statistical data are aimed at the use of methods for processing statistical data and analyzing the obtained results in-depth;
Medicine Courses
on human anatomy, chemical processes, laboratory tests for diagnosis and the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common diseases, for students to understand and analyze the obtained data and be able to fully interpret the results;
Epidemiology Courses
focused on developing research skills, as well as on raising awareness of public health guidelines, research methodology, and planning;
Clinical Trial Courses
on organizing research, drawing up documentation, legislation, ethical aspects, and key principles of data statistical processing.
Study Methods
The study program will be implemented by combining learning theoretical knowledge and developing skills, both with traditional lectures and interactive classes, as well as by studying independently. Modern learning and teaching methods, such as simulation and project-based or problem-based learning approaches will be used.
The program was developed in close cooperation with the University of Latvia, the University of Tartu, Uppsala University, and the University of Gothenburg, involving the teaching staff from the aforementioned universities in the implementation of the courses. In addition, visiting lecturers from pharmaceutical companies from Latvia and abroad will be involved in integrating specialist knowledge.
Master’s study program accredited until 31.12.2023.
1st Year
1st semester: introductory courses in medicine (Anatomy, Biochemistry, Internal and Infectious Diseases) and mathematics (Probability, Mathematical Methods and Statistical Inference) are planned at the beginning in order to adjust students’ knowledge. Later compulsory courses, such as Statistical Programming and Data Management, Socio-Medical Approach to Quantitative Studies and Clinical Trials will be introduced.
2nd semester: courses on classical data processing methods - Linear Models, Longitudinal Data Analysis, Non-parametric Methods, Categorical Data Analysis, Causal Inference, as well as the second cycle on Clinical Trials.
2nd Year
In the 2nd year of study, students will take study courses on classical methods (Survival Analysis, Multivariate Statistics) and innovative statistical methods (Machine Learning and Big Data Analysis), as well as Statistical Consulting, Epidemiology and Placement. Upon completion of studies, students will write and defend a Master’s thesis.
The Master's Degree in Biostatistics typically requires a total of 80 credit points or 120 ECTS.
Graduates from the study programme primarily work as biostatisticians in pharmaceutical companies and clinical research organisations (CRO), with planning data collection in clinical trials and observations, statistically processing the obtained data and analysing the results. Biostatisticians also work at universities, scientific institutes, laboratories and other research foundations that collect data and analyse results in health-related fields.
