威斯康星大學麥迪遜分校

Biometry is the development and application of statistical methods to biological problems. At the University of Wisconsin, biometry refers to this application to problems from plant, animal and agricultural biology. (Biostatistics denotes this application to human biology.) The biometry program is an M.S. degree program in the field of biometry.

The program is interdisciplinary, providing formal course work in statistics and biology, consulting experience, and supervised research combining the two areas. Students completing the program will understand biological processes and have the ability to apply and extend a broad range of statistical concepts and techniques to biological problems. This integration of statistics and biology is the distinguishing feature of the program. The biometry program is distinct from the M.S. statistics program in its interdisciplinary emphasis and corresponding reduced depth in statistics. (Students interested in training with statistical consulting as the primary focus should apply for the M.S. in statistics through the statistics department.)

The biometry program is intended for two groups of students:

• Students simultaneously working toward or intending to work toward a Ph.D. in a biological discipline and
• Non-Ph.D. students

Students who complete the M.S. in biometry and the Ph.D. in a biological science should be at the forefront of quantitative biological research. Students who stop with the M.S. in biometry, possibly obtaining another M.S. in a biological science concurrently, will be well suited for positions with industry or government focused on quantitative biological research.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrates understanding and critical evaluation of statistical methods selected for applications in scientific inquiries.
• Identifies data sources and study design, and assembles appropriate statistical approaches to data analysis, in a particular scientific field of study.
• Evaluates and synthesizes data information pertaining to questions in the field of study.
• Communicates data concepts and analysis results clearly

Professional Conduct

• Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.