Aimin Chen, MD, PhD serves as the Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics. In this role, effective April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026, Dr. Chen, oversees the educational mission of the department and provides a more centralized view of the education programs in which DBEI faculty teach and mentor.
Biostatistics
Master of Science in Biostatistics:
The goal of the Master of Science in Biostatistics program is to train students in the basic theory and applications of statistical methods, as applied to problems in the biomedical sciences. The program typically consists of two years of full-time study, including the preparation of a Master's thesis. Requirements include courses in probability, mathematical statistics, and statistical methods including discrete data analysis, linear models, multivariate methods, survival analysis, statistical computing, and applied data analysis. All students take a course in epidemiology.
PhD in Biostatistics:
The PhD in Biostatistics program aims to train independent researchers in biostatistics applications and methodology. The program includes the Master's program courses, comprehensive analysis of a dataset and reporting of results equivalent to the MS thesis, and at least one additional semester of advanced courses in statistical theory and methods. Students in the PhD program are also required to take courses toward a minor in biomedical science, pass both written and oral examinations, and successfully complete a doctoral dissertation.
Learn more about these Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics programs and the educational approach of the Biostatistics division.
Epidemiology
Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology:
equips accomplished clinicians to lead their own formal epidemiological studies. Read more on the site of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
PhD in Epidemiology:
trains independent researchers to develop and apply epidemiologic methods. Read program specifics on the site of the Graduate Group in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Read about our educational approach.
Certificate Programs:
fosters the skills and knowledge clinicians and project managers need to collaborate on proposals and clinical research studies. Read more on the site of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Offerings for Medical Students:
cultivates medical undergraduates’ (pre-doctoral students’) ability to critically appraise and apply information from medical literature. Read more on the site of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Specialized Training (T32) Programs:
specialized training programs (NIH-funded “T32s”) help fellows launch their careers as independently funded clinical research scientists. Read more on the site of the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Informatics
Certificate in Biomedical Informatics:
Developed by the Perelman School of Medicine’s Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI), the certificate program serves students seeking training in biomedical informatics but not at a degree level. It offers a Certificate in Biomedical Informatics that consists of the same core informatics courses required of all Masters-level students. The four-course sequence is designed to foster informatics literacy among the Penn community.
Master of Biomedical Informatics
The Perelman School of Medicine also offers the Master of Biomedical Informatics (MBMI) program, which seeks to provide state-of-the-art graduate-level educational and training opportunities in biomedical informatics (BMI), adhering to the best practices as established by national competency standards, to create the next generation of biomedical informatics and practitioners.
Some DBEI faculty also teach courses in Penn's Master of Science in Health Policy Research and Master of Health Policy programs.