Villanova University

What you'll study

The biostatistics concentration builds a solid foundation in calculus and probability, then advances through core statistical theory and applied modelling tailored to life‑science problems. You will combine mathematical rigour with practical data analysis, learning tools and workflows used in biomedical research and clinical trials.

• Core mathematics: calculus sequence, linear algebra, and mathematical probability that underpin statistical inference.
• Statistical theory and methods: introductory and intermediate mathematical statistics, point and interval estimation, hypothesis testing, and regression methods.
• Applied biostatistics: courses in generalized linear models, survival analysis, longitudinal data analysis, design of experiments and clinical trials methods.
• Computing and data science: statistical computing with R and Python, data management, reproducible research, and exposure to software commonly used in industry such as SAS.
• Biological and health sciences electives: genetics, molecular biology, epidemiology, and public health courses to provide domain knowledge for collaborative work.
• Practical experience and capstone: a senior project or practicum where students analyse real biomedical datasets, often in collaboration with faculty or external partners; opportunities for internships with hospitals, research labs or industry.

Entry requirements

Admission to Villanova's undergraduate programmes requires a completed secondary school credential with strong academic performance. Applicants to the statistics major are typically expected to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and quantitative reasoning.

• Strong background in secondary‑level mathematics; successful completion of precalculus and, where available, calculus is recommended.
• Preparation in laboratory science (biology or chemistry) is strongly recommended for the biostatistics concentration.
• Supporting materials commonly include school transcripts, teacher recommendations, and a personal statement; standardised test submission policies vary and should be checked on the university admissions pages.
• Transfer students are considered and may receive credit for prior college coursework in calculus, statistics and related subjects; international applicants should provide evidence of English language proficiency where required.

Career prospects

Graduates with a biostatistics emphasis are prepared for roles that apply statistical methods to health and life‑science data as well as for advanced study. Typical career directions include:

• Biostatistician or statistical programmer in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organisations (CROs) and biotechnology firms.
• Data analyst or epidemiologist in public‑health agencies, hospitals and health systems.
• Research support roles in academic medical centres and clinical research organisations, including work on clinical trials and observational studies.
• Further study at the graduate level (MSc or PhD) in biostatistics, statistical science, epidemiology, data science or related fields.

Why study at Villanova University

Villanova offers a liberal‑arts grounded quantitative education with an emphasis on small classes and close faculty mentoring, which benefits students learning sophisticated statistical concepts and research methods. The university's location near a major health‑care and biomedical corridor provides access to internship and collaborative research opportunities with hospitals, medical schools and industry partners. Undergraduate students can engage in faculty‑led research, take advantage of career services and pre‑health advising, and build a portfolio of practicum or capstone work that demonstrates applied competence to employers and graduate programmes.