Ursinus College

What you'll study

The curriculum builds core statistical knowledge and applies it to biological and health-related problems. Early coursework emphasises calculus, linear algebra and introductory probability and statistics to ensure a rigorous mathematical foundation. Core statistics modules typically include:

• Probability and Mathematical Statistics — sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing.
• Regression and Generalised Linear Models — linear regression, logistic regression, model diagnostics.
• Design of Experiments and Analysis of Variance — principles of experimental design, blocking, factorial designs.
• Statistical Computing — programming and reproducible analysis using R and Python, data wrangling and visualization.
• Biostatistics and Epidemiological Methods — survival analysis, study design for clinical and observational studies, measures of disease frequency and association.
• Data Science and Machine Learning — introductory predictive methods, cross-validation and applied model selection.

Students pursue biology- or public-health-focused electives such as molecular biology, genetics, ecology, or epidemiology to provide domain knowledge. The programme culminates in a senior capstone or honours thesis involving an analytic project or independent research, often conducted with a faculty mentor or in collaboration with faculty in biology, chemistry or psychology. Internships, field placements and summer research projects are encouraged to provide practical experience in laboratory, clinical or public health settings.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants typically present a strong secondary-school record with solid preparation in mathematics. Recommended preparation includes:

• A background in calculus (or precalculus with a willingness to take college calculus), and coursework in algebra and statistics if available.
• Demonstrated quantitative ability through class performance; college-entry testing is considered where submitted.
• Completed secondary-school science courses (biology and chemistry recommended) to support biostatistical electives.

Ursinus values motivated students who will take advantage of close faculty mentoring and experiential opportunities; applicants with research, laboratory or community-health experience are especially competitive. Specific admissions policies (standardised tests, portfolio materials or interviews) should be confirmed with the college admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for positions that combine statistical expertise with biological or health knowledge. Common career paths include:

• Biostatistician or Clinical Trial Analyst — roles in pharmaceutical companies, contract-research organisations and academic medical centres.
• Data Analyst / Data Scientist — applied analytical roles in healthcare providers, public health agencies and biotechnology firms.
• Public Health Analyst or Epidemiologist — positions in government, non-profit health organisations and global health initiatives (often requiring further public-health training for advanced roles).
• Research Technician or Lab Data Specialist — supporting experimental design and data analysis in university or industry labs.

Many graduates also continue to graduate study in biostatistics, statistics, epidemiology or related quantitative fields, pursuing master's or doctoral degrees that lead to research or senior technical careers.

Why study at Ursinus College

Ursinus offers a liberal-arts environment with small classes and direct access to faculty, enabling close mentorship on research and capstone projects. The college emphasises hands-on learning: students frequently undertake independent research, summer projects and internships that connect statistical methods to biological questions. Interdisciplinary collaboration with departments such as biology, chemistry and psychology strengthens applied training in biostatistics.

Students benefit from modern computing resources and a focus on reproducible, code-based analysis, plus opportunities to present work on campus and at regional conferences. Ursinus’s location provides access to wider research, clinical and industry networks in the region, supporting internships and post-graduation employment in health and life-science sectors.