Welcome to the Epidemiology Program!

The PhD program in biostatistics is overseen by the Graduate Group Chair and Program Chair, with input from program committees tasked with the governance of specific areas. 
 

Admissions Committee

Manages the application and admission process. Responsibilities include developing admission policies; identifying qualified students; reviewing applications; selecting students to interview; ranking students for admission; and reviewing applications from students in other BGS programs who seek to transfer. Admission decisions are subject to approval by the GGEB Chair, the GGEB Executive Committee and the BGS Admission Committee. 

Curriculum Committee

Comprised of faculty and students, the Curriculum Committee is responsible for all rules and policies related to courses, MS theses and doctoral dissertations. Responsibilities include developing policies related to course content; reviewing requirements for MS theses and PhD dissertations; approving proposals for the creation of new courses; and reviewing student course evaluations.

Qualifying Examination Committee

Conducts the Program’s written and oral qualifications exam. Responsibilities include developing guidelines, policies, and procedures for the exam; soliciting questions for the exam; reviewing and selecting questions; creating the exam itself; managing its grading; presenting results to the faculty; and evaluating the merits of appeals of exam results. 

Student Recruitment Committee

Comprised of faculty and students, the Student Recruitment Committee conducts outreach to establish and maintain a pipeline of talented undergraduate students to apply to the GGEB MS and PhD programs in biostatistics. Activities include informational presentations to undergraduate departments of mathematics and statistics in Greater Philadelphia and additional targeted areas, attendance and recruitment at national undergraduate research conferences, creation and national circulation of program announcements, communication with prospective applicants, and hosting an informational open-house each fall. The Student Recruitment Committee also aims to increase awareness and enrollment in Penn's summer undergraduate research opportunities in biostatistics.