After completing medicine, advanced training in clinical and laboratory haematology and a PhD, I realized that it was necessary to have the ability to collect and analyse data appropriately. The BCA masters course has provided a theoretical and practical approach to all aspects of biostatistics and formed the basis of further studies on the use of statistics in medical practice.

In addition to the course being exceptionally well run from start to finish, there was also continuing appropriate liaison with tutors and other students via web based discussions, that allowed most problems of misunderstanding to be addressed before they became issues. Additionally there was appropriate guidance regarding the major project from supervisors at Macquarie University.

This was, in summary, a well run and extensive course that has provided the methods of data collection and analysis in most aspects of biostatistics, which I highly recommend.

I was employed by the NSW Health Biostatistical Officer Training Program towards the end of a PhD in Biology, which gave me the opportunity to complete a Master of Biostatistics through the BCA. Studying statistics with the best biostatisticians quickly filled in the gaps in my knowledge and then expanded my understanding of epidemiological studies and how to turn data into useful information. I now work as the Biostatistician with The 45 and Up study, the largest cohort study in Australia. Every day I get to work with some of the best health researchers in Australia. I am able to make a substantial contribution to planning the next steps in The 45 and Up Study as well as collaborating with researchers using 45 and Up data.

Evidence-based medicine requires a reliable basis of evidence! As a practising clinician who wanted to conduct my own research, I realised that I needed to develop the relevant expertise. I was attracted to the BCA’s claim to provide a background in mathematical and statistical theory to those without a first degree in mathematics or statistics, to fill the gap between public health/epidemiology and general statistical courses. Part-time study by distance allowed me to work and study at the same time. Staff are highly competent and enthusiastic. I believe the BCA delivers on its promise to ‘address the need for highly skilled biostatisticians for health and medical research’.

I was working as a Research Assistant at a biostatistics unit of a major metropolitan hospital when I started the BCA. I enrolled because I wanted to gain a more detailed understanding of the statistical techniques used in public health, as well as learn about more advanced topics, such as analysis of longitudinal data and Bayesian statistics. The BCA offered a level of rigour that adequately prepared me for a career in biostatistics and was taught by first-class biostatisticians. As a result of the skills I acquired, I am now in a Research Fellow biostatistician role where I primarily work on statistical methods, and am also enrolled in a PhD.

I completed the BCA Masters as part of the NSW Health Biostatistical Officer Training Program. The masters provided training in the application of statistics to public health and epidemiological research and broadened the statistics skills I had gained during my PhD. I found the courses to be well designed and enjoyed being taught by leaders in the field across a range of universities.

I am now a Research Fellow in Biostatistics in the Screening and Test Evaluation Program at the Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney. The skills learnt during the masters have been essential to my ongoing research and career.

I have been working for a medical device manufacturer Compumedics for many years developing mathematical algorithms and software for processing of physiological signals and intelligent treatment devices, primarily in the field of sleep medicine.

I found almost all subjects in the Master of Biostatistics program to be extremely useful in filling the gaps between the practices of biomedical engineering and their clinical outcomes, as well as challenging and enjoyable due to the sound mathematical foundations. The key practical benefit of the BCA program for myself is probably the capability to plan, supervise and analyse clinical trials, that enables to appropriately evaluate performance and safety of the diagnostic and treatment products and eventually prepare product submissions to the regulatory organisations.

I am a statistical programmer working on clinical trial analyses and methodologies in the pharmaceutical industry. I was fortunate to be enrolled in the BCA program while working in the Biostatistics unit of Pfizer Australia, which allowed me to learn the statistical methods and application of those methods employed on pharmaceutical clinical trials, while working closely with expert biostatisticians. I am currently working at Roche, and my increased knowledge from the Masters program allows me to take a greater responsibility on clinical trial analyses and provide input on design issues to my statistical colleagues. I was very impressed by the depth of knowledge and experience of the course coordinators at the participating universities and also by the commitment and contribution of industry experts from both Pfizer and Roche.

I work in healthcare acquired infection (HAI) research, primarily in risk factor studies. My colleagues and I estimate the economic cost of HAI and implement statistical process control for the surveillance of HAI in all Queensland public hospitals.

The Biostatistics program is taught by experts renowned in Australia and around the world. The program emphasises the analysis of real – that is, imperfect – datasets, so is great preparation for working life. And studying by distance was great. It meant I was able to learn from top biostatistics experts from around the country while still enjoying online class discussions with fellow students who shared insights from their own jobs.

A career in biostatistics is a rewarding one that allows you to make important contributions to many fields of research and development. Opportunities are plentiful and determined by your own personal interests.

I completed the Masters as part of my training as a Medical Statistician at the Malawi-Liverpool Welcome Trust Clinical Research Centre, Malawi. I have since completed my PhD in Statistics with the University of Liverpool and University of Malawi focusing on statistical methods of handling missing data. I have co-authored more than 20 publications in a range of topics and supervised a number of MSc statistics students at the University of Malawi. I currently hold a Postdoctoral fellowship in Biostatistics at Johns Hopkins University in the USA focusing on the design and analysis of Cluster Randomized Trials.

I am proud of my Master of Biostatistics and grateful for the contribution the BCA program has made to my career.

I was originally working in General Practice Data Management and needed to update my skills. The Masters of Biostatistics was delivered completely online, and this was what attracted me to the course. As a Biostatistician you’ll be asked many different questions and you’ll need to have the knowledge to confidently address these. The Masters course provided me with both the depth and range required. The area is highly specialised and as such there are many opportunities for people with such a qualification.