Prospective Students

Admission Requirements

MS Program

A background of science, mathematics, or health sciences is recommended. The minimum grade-point-average required for admission is 3.0. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required. The recommended minimum score on the combined verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE is 1050; however, the average combined scores on these portions for incoming classes have ranged from 1250-1350 in recent years. International students, except permanent residents, are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.  An acceptable TOEFL score is a minimum of 600 (250 computer-based test or 100 internet-based test) or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with no subscore lower than 6.0).

Ability to program in at least one computer language, prefereably FORTRAN, C or C++, is required. Three collegiate-level courses in calculus (at the level of University of Iowa courses 22M:025, 22M:026, and 22M:028—see descriptions below) and a collegiate-level course in linear algebra (at the level of University of Iowa course 22M:027—see description below) are prerequisites for the Biostatistics program. Those applying to the Biostatistics program should provide, as part of the application, transcript verification and/or a brief statement indicating whether and how these prerequisites have been met, either through coursework at the University of Iowa or through regularly-scheduled coursework or independent study at other institutions. Persons with deficiencies in any one of the above areas may apply for admission and make up these deficiiences during the first year of study.

University of Iowa course descriptions of prerequisite coursework

22M:025 Calculus I (4 s.h.)

Fundamental concepts, methods, techniques of single-variable differential and integral calculus; differentiation, techniques of integration, series, applications. GE: quantitative or formal reasoning.

22M:026 Calculus II (4 s.h.)

Continuation of 22M:025.

22M:028 Calculus III (4 s.h.)

Multivariable calculus; vector functions, line integrals, total differentials, gradient, implicit functions, coordinate systems, Taylor's expansion, extrema, multiple integrals, vector fields, surface integrals, Stokes's theorem.

22M:027 Introduction to Linear Algebra (4 s.h.)

Vector algebra and geometry of three-dimensional Euclidean space and extensions to n-space and vector spaces; lines and planes, matrices, linear transformations, systems of linear equations, reduction to row echelon form, dimension, rank, determinants, eigenvalues and eigenvectors.

PhD Program

Entrance requirements for the PhD are the same as for the MS degree. Completion of an MS program in biostatistics or statistics, either at the University of Iowa or elsewhere, is required for admission to the PhD program; though enrollment directly into the PhD program is possible under special circumstances.